Comments on: The Second Inning – 2008 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/05/the-second-inning-2008/ News, views, and analysis on the Detroit Tigers and baseball Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:11:17 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Scott http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/05/the-second-inning-2008/#comment-84060 Scott Sun, 11 May 2008 17:52:49 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=2747#comment-84060 So, how long before management considers replacing our pitching coach? Tiger pitchers performed very well in 2006 in Chuck Hernandez's first year, but since then have progressively turned in poor outings. I am very concerned with this trend and am wondering just how much of an affect a pitching coach actually has on a staff. If it were just one or two pitchers, it would be easier to swallow, but the problems are across the board. That makes me look toward the one common denominator - Chuck. Whatever he's doing, its just not working. And so far, it's not getting better. Right now, a proven successful former pitching coach sits idly by just chomping at the bit to get back into the majors - Leo Mazzone. A bold move like replacing Chuck for Leo could be the catalyst for the resurgence of our staff. Now I know its uncommon for a pitching coach to get axed in the middle of a season, but geez, we have an extremely high priced team failing miserably. I'm usually a patient person, but I don't see things changing for the better in the near future. Does anyone else feel my pain??? (by the way, I know we're not hitting either, but the bats will come around. Besides, don't you think the hitters press too much when they are constantly down 3 or 4 to nothing in the 2nd inning?) So, how long before management considers replacing our pitching coach? Tiger pitchers performed very well in 2006 in Chuck Hernandez’s first year, but since then have progressively turned in poor outings. I am very concerned with this trend and am wondering just how much of an affect a pitching coach actually has on a staff. If it were just one or two pitchers, it would be easier to swallow, but the problems are across the board. That makes me look toward the one common denominator – Chuck. Whatever he’s doing, its just not working. And so far, it’s not getting better. Right now, a proven successful former pitching coach sits idly by just chomping at the bit to get back into the majors – Leo Mazzone. A bold move like replacing Chuck for Leo could be the catalyst for the resurgence of our staff. Now I know its uncommon for a pitching coach to get axed in the middle of a season, but geez, we have an extremely high priced team failing miserably. I’m usually a patient person, but I don’t see things changing for the better in the near future. Does anyone else feel my pain??? (by the way, I know we’re not hitting either, but the bats will come around. Besides, don’t you think the hitters press too much when they are constantly down 3 or 4 to nothing in the 2nd inning?)

]]> By: Dave BW http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/05/the-second-inning-2008/#comment-84055 Dave BW Sun, 11 May 2008 17:28:07 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=2747#comment-84055 Greg -- He has between a .260 and .289 BAA through pitch 75, at which point it jumps to .359 (!). Greg –

He has between a .260 and .289 BAA through pitch 75, at which point it jumps to .359 (!).

]]> By: greg http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/05/the-second-inning-2008/#comment-84052 greg Sun, 11 May 2008 16:53:23 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=2747#comment-84052 It would also be interesting to see Verlander's BAA thru 100 pitches, and BAA 100+, seems like he had 2-3 great outings that went sour quickly because JL left him in too long. It would also be interesting to see Verlander’s BAA thru 100 pitches, and BAA 100+, seems like he had 2-3 great outings that went sour quickly because JL left him in too long.

]]> By: Sam http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/05/the-second-inning-2008/#comment-84035 Sam Sun, 11 May 2008 03:30:17 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=2747#comment-84035 Not to pile on Chris, But Roy Halladay for 11 starts from 5/5/2007-7/12/2007 (just last year): 6.34era - 92 hits allowed in 66.1 innings!! Somehow in true Halladay fashion still went 6-4, but the stats certainly compare with Verlanders. -Sam Not to pile on Chris,

But Roy Halladay for 11 starts from 5/5/2007-7/12/2007 (just last year):

6.34era – 92 hits allowed in 66.1 innings!!

Somehow in true Halladay fashion still went 6-4, but the stats certainly compare with Verlanders.

-Sam

]]> By: Dave BW http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/05/the-second-inning-2008/#comment-84033 Dave BW Sun, 11 May 2008 02:43:26 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=2747#comment-84033 Chris... sigh. Once again you have made irresponsible, overemotional assertions that you could have fact-checked in the space of about five minutes. Peavy had seven absolutely wretched starts in the first half of 2006, and three more that were about on par with what Verlander is doing right now. In his third year (2000), Halladay had 13 starts and ran up a 10.54 ERA -- for the year. In the first half of 2007, he gave up five or more runs in six starts. Both pitchers have had stretches of at least this long (you do realize this season has only been a month and a half, right?) in which they performed at least as poorly as Verlander has. Please do us all a favor and think about the veracity of your posts before you hit the submit button, as some of us still care about facts. Chris… sigh. Once again you have made irresponsible, overemotional assertions that you could have fact-checked in the space of about five minutes.

Peavy had seven absolutely wretched starts in the first half of 2006, and three more that were about on par with what Verlander is doing right now. In his third year (2000), Halladay had 13 starts and ran up a 10.54 ERA — for the year. In the first half of 2007, he gave up five or more runs in six starts.

Both pitchers have had stretches of at least this long (you do realize this season has only been a month and a half, right?) in which they performed at least as poorly as Verlander has. Please do us all a favor and think about the veracity of your posts before you hit the submit button, as some of us still care about facts.

]]> By: greg http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/05/the-second-inning-2008/#comment-84030 greg Sun, 11 May 2008 00:59:43 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=2747#comment-84030 Yes, Peavy has. He was actually this bad, statistically, not just for 8 starts but for about half of 2006. Halladay also for a couple months of a recent season, I forget which one. I'd have to look it up, but he was this bad, statistically. Yes, Peavy has. He was actually this bad, statistically, not just for 8 starts but for about half of 2006. Halladay also for a couple months of a recent season, I forget which one. I’d have to look it up, but he was this bad, statistically.

]]> By: Chris http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/05/the-second-inning-2008/#comment-84029 Chris Sun, 11 May 2008 00:12:19 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=2747#comment-84029 Sorry to burst your bubble, but Verlander isn't going to be as good as Peavy or Halladay. haven't you been paying attention to his past eight starts? Neither Peavy or Halladay have gone through stretches as bad as that. I've seen enough to know that he is never going to be an ace. But as long as the Verlander Bubble is there, I definitely think the Tigers should trade him for a real top of the rotation guy. Sorry to burst your bubble, but Verlander isn’t going to be as good as Peavy or Halladay. haven’t you been paying attention to his past eight starts? Neither Peavy or Halladay have gone through stretches as bad as that. I’ve seen enough to know that he is never going to be an ace.

But as long as the Verlander Bubble is there, I definitely think the Tigers should trade him for a real top of the rotation guy.

]]> By: Eric Cioe http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/05/the-second-inning-2008/#comment-84026 Eric Cioe Sat, 10 May 2008 23:43:54 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=2747#comment-84026 Why would Sheff go on the DL? He's been hitting well lately. And God no, don't trade Verlander and Sheff for Halladay or Peavy. Verlander will be just as good as them, and he's younger. Why would Sheff go on the DL? He’s been hitting well lately.

And God no, don’t trade Verlander and Sheff for Halladay or Peavy. Verlander will be just as good as them, and he’s younger.

]]> By: Neal http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/05/the-second-inning-2008/#comment-83972 Neal Sat, 10 May 2008 19:01:40 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=2747#comment-83972 The real question with Sheff: It seems he can still get on base and run the bases, can he hit for power? If not, he's Timo from last year. The real question with Sheff: It seems he can still get on base and run the bases, can he hit for power?
If not, he’s Timo from last year.

]]> By: Neal http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/05/the-second-inning-2008/#comment-83971 Neal Sat, 10 May 2008 18:58:55 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=2747#comment-83971 Inge's bat as a Catcher is acceptable, however, not at third. Inge’s bat as a Catcher is acceptable, however, not at third.

]]> By: Chris http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/05/the-second-inning-2008/#comment-83968 Chris Sat, 10 May 2008 17:57:00 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=2747#comment-83968 We probably should get used to Inge's bat because he may be our catcher next year. We probably should get used to Inge’s bat because he may be our catcher next year.

]]> By: Sean C. in Illinois http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/05/the-second-inning-2008/#comment-83967 Sean C. in Illinois Sat, 10 May 2008 17:31:34 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=2747#comment-83967 Sam I hope you're right, because the Tigers clearly agree with you. Sam

I hope you’re right, because the Tigers clearly agree with you.

]]> By: Sam http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/05/the-second-inning-2008/#comment-83964 Sam Sat, 10 May 2008 17:14:56 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=2747#comment-83964 Guys, I still do not like Inge's bat enough to put him at 3B everyday. Guillen is getting better there and while he is not Inge, can certainly handle that position. -Sam Guys,

I still do not like Inge’s bat enough to put him at 3B everyday. Guillen is getting better there and while he is not Inge, can certainly handle that position.

-Sam

]]> By: Chris http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/05/the-second-inning-2008/#comment-83963 Chris Sat, 10 May 2008 17:11:38 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=2747#comment-83963 Sheffield seems to be getting on track with his hitting. So far in this season, he's on course with repeating his '07 early flip of the switch from ice cold in April to red hot in May. That would be a great thing if that does happen. And if somehow Caberra can get out of his recent slump at the same time, this team would be the juggernaut that everybody expected. And I now like the idea of having Sheff play left field as well. Despite people's complaints, he seems to be good enough at that position to justify such a move. This situation will now allow Ordonez, Cabrerra & Guillen to share the DH role. And if everything works out with Sheffield in LF and hitting up to his reputation, I would think it could increase his trade value. Toronto & San Diego are two teams that are flush with good pitching depth but are in desperate need for offense. Maybe the Tigers can make a package deal of hot hitting Sheffield, along with a struggling young ace named Verlander, for a Jake Peavy or a Roy Halladay. Sheffield seems to be getting on track with his hitting. So far in this season, he’s on course with repeating his ‘07 early flip of the switch from ice cold in April to red hot in May. That would be a great thing if that does happen. And if somehow Caberra can get out of his recent slump at the same time, this team would be the juggernaut that everybody expected.

And I now like the idea of having Sheff play left field as well. Despite people’s complaints, he seems to be good enough at that position to justify such a move. This situation will now allow Ordonez, Cabrerra & Guillen to share the DH role.

And if everything works out with Sheffield in LF and hitting up to his reputation, I would think it could increase his trade value. Toronto & San Diego are two teams that are flush with good pitching depth but are in desperate need for offense. Maybe the Tigers can make a package deal of hot hitting Sheffield, along with a struggling young ace named Verlander, for a Jake Peavy or a Roy Halladay.

]]> By: greg http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/05/the-second-inning-2008/#comment-83960 greg Sat, 10 May 2008 16:29:49 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=2747#comment-83960 I might have been convinced a couple of weeks ago that Sheff needed to go on the DL. However, that seems extremely unlikley at this point: Over 9 games the last 2 weeks: 30 At bats, 5 Runs, 9 Hits, 4 RBI, 8 BB and 1 SB, giving him a .300 BA/ and a .447 OBP over that stretch. The last 2 games he's 4 for 8 with a 2B and 2 RBI. It corroborates the theory that he hits better when he's not relegated to DH. He's the 2nd best base runner on the team. His bat speed is, even now, above average, and while most of his line shots have been foul, recently, I haven't seen a Tiger hit the ball with greater velocity than Sheffield. If they didn't see the need to DL him 2 weeks ago, I don't see how these recent trends would change Leyland's or Dombrowski's mind. I agree with the other points of Guillen to DH and Inge to 3B. I might have been convinced a couple of weeks ago that Sheff needed to go on the DL.

However, that seems extremely unlikley at this point:

Over 9 games the last 2 weeks:

30 At bats, 5 Runs, 9 Hits, 4 RBI, 8 BB and 1 SB, giving him a .300 BA/ and a .447 OBP over that stretch.

The last 2 games he’s 4 for 8 with a 2B and 2 RBI.

It corroborates the theory that he hits better when he’s not relegated to DH. He’s the 2nd best base runner on the team. His bat speed is, even now, above average, and while most of his line shots have been foul, recently, I haven’t seen a Tiger hit the ball with greater velocity than Sheffield.

If they didn’t see the need to DL him 2 weeks ago, I don’t see how these recent trends would change Leyland’s or Dombrowski’s mind.

I agree with the other points of Guillen to DH and Inge to 3B.

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