Comments on: Tigers Acquire Edgar Renteria

By: Joshua M.

Joshua M. — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 15:12:03 +0000

Wow how is it in a Tigers Blog we are talking about criminal acts of kissing 15 year old girls? If you want to keep that crap going take it somewhere else. This is a blog for Tigers fans who have questions and opinions worth hearing and discussing.

By: Mike R

Mike R — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 06:28:38 +0000

Mike, I agree to a certain point.
I just watched him play and if someone had told me he was a high school player playing for the Dutch National Baseball Team because one of his great uncles was Dutch I would have believed him.
I just don’t think I’ve ever seen a professional athlete look more unnatural at the major league level. Check that, I saw Jared Lorentzen, the NY Giants 300 pound backup QB, play a few downs and he looked like he had never encountered the oblong sphere before.
I can be an idiot so what do i know? But someone like Andrew Miller–who sucked his second half–or Alex Gordon–who batted .160 for the first two months– both looked clueless but still seemed like they were playing a game where they were acutely familiar with the basics.
Maybe it’s just C-Bin’s website that annoyed me. At any case, he seems at least 2 years away.

First of all, I’m a huge Jared Lorenzen fan (and I hate the NFL) simply because I remember him at the University of Kentucky and seeing a QB wear 22 and be 300 pounds fascinated me. But, he’s definitely not someone I’d want backing up my starting QB and I haven’t seen him play since college, so I’ll take your word for it. But, he’s one of my guys that aren’t very good but you love them just because type guys.

As for Maybin, his website is off-putting and I wish I hadn’t encountered it. Miller and Gordon also got a 3/4ths of a year and a full year respectively to play — and play everyday.

Miller looked tentative and, well, young last year when we brought him up in 2006 after 5 minor league innings. We agree that Maybin’s a ways away and if he’s in Detroit before September, it’s a flat out mistake unless we lose 4-6 outfielders to broken legs.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 15:37:58 +0000

To be honest BobS, I really don’t want to discuss this topic again. It all started with comments regarding C-Mo and me stating that for the most part, most of us just don’t get caught commiting crimes ie. kissing 15 year old girls, driving while intoxicated, smoking a little weed in our college days. All illegal things that perhaps you never did. Nevertheless, the majority of people have done at some point in their lives….meaning no ones perfect. We all sin. I’m done with this conversation.

Baseball, baseball, baseball. Go Tigers!!!!

By: BobS.

BobS. — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 14:35:31 +0000

Kathy,let’s get something straight.In a comment responding to one of my own you directed a question to me (not “the majority of teenagers today”) asking “Ever kiss a girl who was 15?” and it’s disingenous to pretend otherwise.There were no qualifiers regarding 16 year olds on my block or in my family.Implicit in your comment was the ubiquity of similar behavior among adult men on your block or in your family.Good to hear that’s not the case.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 14:08:06 +0000

BobS, let’s get something straight. Kissing 15 year olds is not out of the ordinary for the majority of teenagers today but I wasn’t talking about grown men. I was talking about any male including 16 or 17 year olds who could be convicted of a criminal act. Look around your block, and in your own family, there’s plenty of guys guilty of that “crime” and didn’t get caught.

Grandy is one of the fastest developing MLB centerfielders in the game. Will Cam develop the defensive skills and offensive power that Grandy has with 2 years under his belt in the majors? I opined that he wouldn’t. Hope I’m wrong!

By: BobS.

BobS. — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 13:44:30 +0000

It’s easy to see in retrospect that neither Maybin or Miller belonged the the majors last season.I fault the professionals in the Tiger’s organization who are paid to know these things for rushing the two of them.
Jurrjens will probably have a fairly long career (barring injury) as a 3rd or 4th starter.Trading him for Renteria fills the void at SS left by Guillen’s move and somewhat compensates for the inevitable decline in offensive performance we’re likely to see from Ordonez (although it’s reasonable to assume Renteria won’t have the year he had in 2007 as well).This trade was necessary for us to sustain last years level of offensive production.
A cautionary note,in case you’re so inclined,David.Never bet with your heart.For quite some time,I’ve been fattening my wallet with easy money from Lion’s fans who were convinced by hopes and hype the team was better than it actually was.This was the first year I’ve been able to exploit Tiger fans who expected it was automatic we’d repeat the success of 2006 when everything that possibly could went right.As it stands now,this team will be good for another 88-90(max) wins,not 95.
Friends from the south,you say.That would explain why men kissing 15 year old girls is not out of the ordinary in your life.However,Granderson did not develop ‘fast’.He’s 26 years old.Phenoms like Cabrera,Pujols,and Alex Rodriguez developed ‘fast’.

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 01:50:22 +0000

THe south…bothers me.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 19:32:03 +0000

No Kathy, actually astute observation! I have relatives down South and it’s true, life moves at a different pace. Many a player–white, black, latino–has been oft-stereotyped as lazy/emotionless because that’s their roots; whether it be stoic, slow-moving, or non-smiling.
I recently read an interview with Sadarahu Oh where he talked about why he played with so little emotion: when he was in high school he tossed his glove in celebration and this shamed his family and his culture. So, he never smiled when he played. Maybe Maybin just has that ‘just moseying along’ gait of the South. I live in NYC where everything moves too fast and we are all too quick to judge..

By: David

David — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 19:02:45 +0000

also granderson went to college – more polished and didn’t have as many expectations placed on him – he wasn’t a first rounder

By: Kathy

Kathy — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 17:28:32 +0000

I have an opinion about Cam but it’s not based on facts or sabermetrics. Cam grew up in the deep South where life runs along at a slower pace. He’s even expressed his feelings that everything feels so fast since he came up from the minors. I have friends who grew up in small southern towns and while they have found success here in the north, they still talk slower, are more polite and gracious…what some of us know as Southern charm. Cam isn’t Grandy and probably won’t develop as fast. That’s just my opinion. You guys are probably laughing at me….I know.

By: tiff

tiff — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 17:19:17 +0000

While I think it was a good trade, I keep hoping in the back of my mind that somehow the Braves screw it up on their end and JJ gets put on waivers and we claim him back. Didn’t that happen with Seattle and Santiago?

By: Stephen

Stephen — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 16:14:06 +0000

Mike, I agree to a certain point.
I just watched him play and if someone had told me he was a high school player playing for the Dutch National Baseball Team because one of his great uncles was Dutch I would have believed him.
I just don’t think I’ve ever seen a professional athlete look more unnatural at the major league level. Check that, I saw Jared Lorentzen, the NY Giants 300 pound backup QB, play a few downs and he looked like he had never encountered the oblong sphere before.
I can be an idiot so what do i know? But someone like Andrew Miller–who sucked his second half–or Alex Gordon–who batted .160 for the first two months– both looked clueless but still seemed like they were playing a game where they were acutely familiar with the basics.
Maybe it’s just C-Bin’s website that annoyed me. At any case, he seems at least 2 years away.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:48:40 +0000

Or, like rational people, we’d see that a 20 year old was rushed to the show and thrust into a pennant race, put in to play a position he’s never played in his life and then not getting the AB’s needed to get comfortable. But, you know, that’s just me.

Whoa man. WHOA. There is no logic here. Take that elsewhere!

By: Kathy

Kathy — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 14:15:37 +0000

My God, we have a good team…Magglio, Carlos, Placido, Granderson, Pudge, Renteria, Sheff, Inge…well, Thames, Raburn (I hope), Timo (I know Billfer doesn’t want him, but the guy can hit) Verlander, Bonderman, Zoom, Jair…whoops he’s gone now. I could care less about Geoff Jenkins (our in-house guys can do just as well IMHO). Still our pitching has a few holes. But overall, it sounds pretty impressive and talented.

By: Mark L

Mark L — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 12:53:00 +0000

I like the shiny new toy comment. Realistically, it could be a wash. But I think management is doing all they can to put the best team possible out on the field. Renteria can help, and is better than Santiago or anyone else who is realistically available. He definitely comes at a cost. Gorkys has potential, but may never get a chance in the outfield. JJ looked pretty good, but they may be concerned about the shoulder.
I wonder if Kenny is close to signing. That could explain the willingness to trade JJ and let Kenny hold down the fort as a starter until Miller is ready. It may be that Kenny has said he will return, but it’s just a matter of agreeing on a dollar amount. Could also mean they are comfortable with Tata or Miller as #5 starter.
I really would like to see Jenkins batting 6th or 7th. I think there’s a good chance we can get him. Lefty at left field with some power. Can back up 1b. Gives us flexibility if Sheffield doesn’t return well or we can trade Thames. Played on a bad team a long time until just recently (sounds like some other guys we know and love). But I am concerned we may have to settle for Thames/Raburn in LF.
Has Renteria batted leadoff recently? Could he lead off against lefties and we drop Grandy lower in the order? Just a thought. At least he won’t clog up the basepaths like Casey.
Regarding offense: No way Maggs and Placido can put up the numbers they did this year. Another similar year from Granderson would be nice and is a realistic hope. Renteria is an upgrade from Casey, although not huge. I am hopeful that Inge can make a slight improvement (can’t get to much worse) in making contact and that Pudge will not get worse at the plate, maybe even take a few walks?? I am also hoping, as someone mentioned, that the move to first will make Guillen even a great force at the plate. It should save on his knees and help him to concentrate on hitting while playing a less demanding position.
I am a little excited about infield defense. I think we have good range at the corners. Guillen’s range is poor for a shortstop, but good for a first basemen. And although Renteria and Polanco won’t get to everything, but they won’t make many mistakes either, and the good range at the corners will cover for them. With that being said, bring back a ground-ball pitcher like Kenny.