Also good points. I think you’re right; the argument can’t be won, one way or another. Responding to the Gagne explanation (and I’ve said it before), I’m just not convinced he would “no way, no how” come to Detroit. I know that’s what popular media would lead you to believe, but at the end of the day, I just think is was an issue of paying him, or maybe some creative deal-making, which is exactly what I mean by being “more agressive” (Remember, he had the same no-trade clause to Bean Town). Which brings up an entirely new argument, e.g. “do you pay him all those millions in closing bonues? etc.”

As I’m not on the inside in the GM’s office, there is just no way to know how many other countless deals could or could not have been made, e.g. Lidge, Dotel, etc., with just a little more wheeling and dealing.

Number One Tenet: Don’t believe what you read. Number Two Tenet: There was probably a lot more going on behind the scenes that you never once heard about.

My point is, the Tigers had wholes — obvious ones — that weren’t filled — In my view, DD should have and probably could have been more agressive in trying to fill them.

But, that’s all I got. It’s really an old issue now that you can go round and round and round over.

I do think that Grandy is far from his peak, though, and that his stats against lefties will impove.

How about, say, a Chet Lemon comparison? or similiar caliber?

Yes. All those details. Like Gagne having a no-trade clause he had to waive. And the most plausible reliever available being a guy with a 4.61 ERA.

(Anyone remember how, during the 19-31 spell last year, a certain segment of the blog population was convinced we could have had Abreu if DD had just gotten of his duff?)

I give up on this argument; it can’t be won. One side argues that the team just needed a trade or two and we’d now be cruising to the playoffs, making any cost in terms of prospects well worth it. Outside of conjuring up an alternate universe where DD traded away a some quality prospects and offered Eric Gagne partial team ownership to lure him, I guess there’s no way to disprove the argument.

maybe Leyland should post this note in the Bullpen ? ( tee hee )

The Art of Pitching: Entice the batter to swing, and preferably hit into a double play. Failing that, ground out, it’s a lot easier than trying to strike a guy out. Or pop up, foul. Of if he hits a fly in the outfield hope nobody’s on. Get ahead in the count. Don’t walk anybody, especially the lead off guy. If someone gets on first pick him off before he steals second and gets into scoring position. Entice the batter to swing. Get ahead in the count. move the ball around change speeds. Get some late movement on the ball so the batter can’t get good wood on the ball. Remember ya got 8 guys helpin’ ya get the batter out. Conserve pitchs don’t throw balls the batter ain’t gonna swing at and don’t throw the ball away.

Willie Mays, CF-R. NY/SF Giants, NY Mets 1951-1973.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/dt/mayswi01.php
http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/mayswi01.shtml

Curtis Granderson, CF-L. Detroit Tigers 2004-2007.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/dt/grandcu01.php
http://www.baseball-reference......cu01.shtml

When Kaline finished his Age-26 season, he had played in 1204 major league games, accumulated 1390 hits, hit 159 HR, walked 475 times, and struck out only 378 times. He’d won four gold gloves and played in 7 All-Star games.

When Mays finished his Age-26 season, he had played in 762 games, accumulated 903 H, hit 187 HR (!), walked 362 times and struck out only 321. He’d won an MVP, a batting title, the first of eleven straight gold gloves, and played in four all star games. Keep in mind that during this period he missed a season-and-a-half due to military service.

Again, it’s not a knock against Curtis. But Al Kaline had more hits at age 26 than Bobby Higginson got in his entire career.

Grandy is one of my favorite Tigers because he is so quick! I love it! ( but I bet the other guy’s pitcher don’t tee hee )