At first glance, it might appear easy to preview the Jays' first series of their hopeful 2004 campaign: "They're the freakin' Tigers." But this might not be as much of a cakewalk as the easy, breezy pair of series that the Jays played with Detroit last September.
Granted, the Tigers won't be confused with the '84 powerhouse that started the season 35-5. Still, Detroit has added a still-productive Hall of Famer at catcher, while modestly upgrading their lineup at second, short and left. If nothing else, the Tigers should at least make opposing pitchers work harder than did last season's banjo-hitting hackers. When the offence is clicking, Detroit should be able to get into winnable one-run games of the 6-5 variety, which they'll certainly take after absorbing rout after rout last season.
Of course, the pitching should still be atrocious, especially on the road. Today, Detroit gets its first regular-season look at their "ace," erstwhile Oriole Jason Johnson. Although Johnson will surely be an upgrade over Gary Knotts or whomever else the Tigers would throw out onto the mound every fifth day, he doesn't really address the staff's biggest problem, which is the team's feeble strikeout rate; with so many balls in play, the Tigers' defensive shortcomings -- and they are many and legion -- are exposed. Nevertheless, both Johnson and Mike Maroth earned a win against the Jays last season, and Nate Cornejo always seems to stymie Blue Jay bats. In particular, Wednesday could be a tough game unless Pat Hentgen rediscovers some velocity.
Yes, another season is upon us here at Batter's Box -- and that means another season of the Advance Scout. For those of you unfamiliar with the format, we preview each regular season opponent with a blend of facts, figures, anecdotes and stories about the club, including who's hot, who's not and what to look for out on the field. For good measure, we toss in projected batting orders, pitching probables and bullpen usage patterns. Typically, the Scout is published around this time, as I check for last-minute news when I'm taking a lunch break. Many of the more interesting features on the Advance Scout have been helpfully suggested by Bauxite readers -- so please, any suggestions, requests or constructive criticism for the Scout would be greatly appreciated!
Without further ado...on to the Advance Scout!
* OK, quick recap of last year’s gruesome campaign … 119 losses, most in baseball … .240/.300/.375 collectively, which was respectively the worst in baseball, the worst in baseball, and the worst in the AL – the Mets and Dodgers, each of whom had pitchers bat regularly, slugged slightly less than did the Tigers … Oh yes, the pitching: Try a 5.30 team ERA, second-worst in baseball despite playing in spacious Comerica Park. Only the Rangers had a less effective staff; the Rockies and Reds actually out-pitched Detroit … With 764 strikeouts, the staff was a full 101 K’s behind the twenty-ninth best strikeout staff in baseball …
* Beleaguered skipper Alan Trammell has vowed to manage to win rather than to develop youngsters this year – a questionable strategy … Example: Journeyman corner infielder Greg Norton made the club … Trammell: “We’re trying to create an atmosphere and win as many games as we can” …
* Mike Maroth has been more realistic: “This kind of rebuilding job doesn’t happen overnight” …
* For his part, GM Dave Dombrowski has vowed to build the club – in order to keep the promise made by Mike Illitch to Pudge … Dombrowski defended his signing of injury-prone veterans like Rodriguez, Fernando Vina and Rondell White by pointing to his success with Kevin Brown and Al Leiter, whom he signed for the Marlins in ’97 … Dombrowski cited the city’s “beautiful ballpark” and “great sports tradition” as his free agent selling points in the years to come ...
* Other last-minute roster decisions: Omar Infante and Chris Shelton in, Danny Klassen and Mike DiFelice out … Infante will spell Guillen, and might see some time in centre … Shelton is unlikely to catch much ...
* Most disappointing aspect of the spring? Team defence, which was conceded by Bobby Higginson to have been abysmal … That’ll be a problem unless it shapes up, given the pitchers’ ball-in-play tendencies …
* In four years, the $40M deal signed by Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez could well be a millstone. But if the Tigers get 144 games of a healthy and consistent Pudge – like the Marlins got last season – he’ll definitely earn his $10M for 2004 … He got on base at a .369 clip and hit 36 doubles and three triples to go with his 16 homers … Interestingly, Pudge put up .375/.463/.583 numbers with runners in scoring position – but was a feeble 1-for-10 with a single with the bases loaded … Pudge hopes never to invoke his "back injury" out-clause, inserted at the Tigers’ insistence … Pudge on his new owner: “Mr. Illitch is tired of losing…He wants to put a good winning team together, little by little. I think he’s going to get there” … Ivan’s 11-year-old son, Dereck, held his dad to his pre-playoffs pledge to walk around the bases together and pray at home plate if the Marlins won the Series … Pudge is a 10-time All-Star with an excellent 45.2% caught stealing rate – despite the reluctance of all but the most daring speedsters to run on him … Former teammate Carl Pavano: “He would challenge you, but he wouldn’t show you up…He pushed us and definitely made us better pitchers” … Ultimately, the Tigers are counting on Pudge to contribute to the lineup, the pitching staff, the team defence and the clubhouse -- and he may be up to the task ...
* Today’s starter, Jason Johnson, departed his last Grapefruit League start after just two innings with a blister on his middle finger, but immediately declared it minor enough that it wouldn’t prevent him from taking the ball on Opening Day … 118 K’s in 189 2/3 innings was a modest total for the ex-Oriole last season, but it’s the closest the Tigers come to having a mature power arm in the rotation … Johnson, a diabetic, received permission from MLB to use an insulin pump during games, and to have it with him on the mound … The pager-sized device will be strapped to his back, so it won’t be a distraction to hitters … Previously, he had pricked his finger to analyze his blood sugar every couple of innings. Now, Johnson feels he can avoid his sluggish spells on the mound by normalizing his blood sugar whenever he requires it … Now, the bad news for JJ: He has a career ERA of 7.62 at SkyDome. Admitting that he struggles against the powerful Blue Jay bats, Johnson hopefully suggested that thinks he’s “slowly starting to get a grip on what to do against their hitters” …
* Ugueth U. Urbina, rescued from the purgatory of self-overvaluation by the Tigers, is compensating for his late start to spring training by pitching with Class-A Lakeland for the first week or so of the season … In spite of his somewhat shaky postseason, Ugie was absolutely lights-out after the All-Star Break last season – 23 hits in 37 1/3 IP for a .178 opposing batting average, with 11 walks, 35 K’s and a 1.45 ERA … The Tigers are banking on that kind of excellence this season. A good omen: Heading to pitcher-friendly Comerica, Urbina had a 1.21 ERA in spacious Pro Player, and his season-long numbers were inflated by his 5.25 ERA in Arlington … Danny Patterson will close in the interim, and here’s hoping he doesn’t get any opportunities in the club’s first three games …
* At least Urbina can pitch. In a more ridiculous story from the self-overvaluation front, we proudly present Esteban Yan … In yet another curious Detroit contract, Yan’s free-agent pact was voidable if he failed to make the starting rotation. Yan failed to make the grade, and sure enough, the volatile righty stormed out of camp, as was his right … After one day on the open market, however, Yan quickly came to his senses and re-signed with Detroit, where he’ll continue to be the same shaky short man he’s always been …
* Tomorrow’s starter, Mike Maroth, will attempt to erase the indignity of his 20th loss of 2003 on the SkyDome turf last September … With just 87 K’s and 34 homers allowed, the 26-year-old lefty was likely full value for his 9-21 record last season, despite poor run support and defensive assistance … Maroth notched a gory 9.77 ERA in three starts against the Jays last season – although he did record a win during the Jays’ frustrating mid-season series at Comerica …
* New shortstop Carlos Guillen put up a respectable batting average and OBP of .276 and .359 respectively last season … Trammell has commended the Venezuelan for being a very positive springtime influence on Infante, Guillen’s younger countryman and possible successor …
* Wednesday’s starter, Nate Cornejo, was maddeningly effective against the Jays last season with a 2.93 ERA … That total included a memorable duel that required Doc to go ten shutout innings for a win … Let’s hope he was lucky. His 58/46 BB/K rate (yes, those are season totals over 194 2/3 innings) was abysmal …
* Trammell has dropped Bobby Higginson and Eric Munson to the bottom of the order, but urged those two to look at the bright side: “Heck, I hit ninth when I played.” Um, you sure about that, Tram? …
* Dmitri Young was described by Dombrowski as “the only guy who would have started on a lot of other teams” from last year’s club … Indeed, the DH had the best season of his career, going .297/.372/.537, including an extraordinarily professional .316/.390/.532 after the All-Star Break, when he had no protection in the batting order and morale could not have been good in the clubhouse … Dombrowski cited Pudge, Vina, Guillen and White as upgrades -- and “certainly respectable at their positions” -- in this year’s lineup …
* Steve Colyer, widely derided as an insufficient return from the Dodgers for Cody Ross, impressed the Tigers with two hitless innings in his first spring appearance with Detroit … Dombrowski: “He’s on the borderline of big league ready…He projects as a #1 lefthanded reliever” … For now, he’s the second LOOGY option after Jamie Walker, who held lefties to a .212 average in last year’s solid season (4-3, 3.32) …
* Reliever Fernando Rodney will start the season on the DL after feeling some discomfort in his pitching elbow during camp … It’s been diagnosed as a mild sprain …
* Rule 5 draftee Lino Urdaneta, a righty reliever, is on the DL with a sore elbow, thus giving the Tigers a bit more time to decide whether to return the youngster to Cleveland … Detroit returned RP-R Mike Bumatay to Colorado last week …
* Dombrowski won’t do anything foolish with stud prospect Kyle Sleeth … The righty starter will go no higher than AA this season, according to the GM …
* For the past 16 years, the Tigers have done no better than 3-3 in their first six games … The Jays and Twins will try and extend this dubious Opening Week streak …
Probable Batting Orders
* Note: The Jays are not expected to use a lefthanded starter this series.
vs. RH
8 Sanchez
4 Vina
2 Rodriguez
DH Young
3 Pena
7 White
6 Guillen
9 Higginson
5 Munson
Pitching Probables
Monday: RH Johnson vs. Halladay
Tuesday: LH Maroth vs. Batista
Wednesday: RH Cornejo vs. Hentgen
Bullpen Usage
Long: Knotts R
Short: Colyer L, Yan R
Setup: Walker L, Levine R
Closer: Patterson R
Granted, the Tigers won't be confused with the '84 powerhouse that started the season 35-5. Still, Detroit has added a still-productive Hall of Famer at catcher, while modestly upgrading their lineup at second, short and left. If nothing else, the Tigers should at least make opposing pitchers work harder than did last season's banjo-hitting hackers. When the offence is clicking, Detroit should be able to get into winnable one-run games of the 6-5 variety, which they'll certainly take after absorbing rout after rout last season.
Of course, the pitching should still be atrocious, especially on the road. Today, Detroit gets its first regular-season look at their "ace," erstwhile Oriole Jason Johnson. Although Johnson will surely be an upgrade over Gary Knotts or whomever else the Tigers would throw out onto the mound every fifth day, he doesn't really address the staff's biggest problem, which is the team's feeble strikeout rate; with so many balls in play, the Tigers' defensive shortcomings -- and they are many and legion -- are exposed. Nevertheless, both Johnson and Mike Maroth earned a win against the Jays last season, and Nate Cornejo always seems to stymie Blue Jay bats. In particular, Wednesday could be a tough game unless Pat Hentgen rediscovers some velocity.
Yes, another season is upon us here at Batter's Box -- and that means another season of the Advance Scout. For those of you unfamiliar with the format, we preview each regular season opponent with a blend of facts, figures, anecdotes and stories about the club, including who's hot, who's not and what to look for out on the field. For good measure, we toss in projected batting orders, pitching probables and bullpen usage patterns. Typically, the Scout is published around this time, as I check for last-minute news when I'm taking a lunch break. Many of the more interesting features on the Advance Scout have been helpfully suggested by Bauxite readers -- so please, any suggestions, requests or constructive criticism for the Scout would be greatly appreciated!
Without further ado...on to the Advance Scout!
* OK, quick recap of last year’s gruesome campaign … 119 losses, most in baseball … .240/.300/.375 collectively, which was respectively the worst in baseball, the worst in baseball, and the worst in the AL – the Mets and Dodgers, each of whom had pitchers bat regularly, slugged slightly less than did the Tigers … Oh yes, the pitching: Try a 5.30 team ERA, second-worst in baseball despite playing in spacious Comerica Park. Only the Rangers had a less effective staff; the Rockies and Reds actually out-pitched Detroit … With 764 strikeouts, the staff was a full 101 K’s behind the twenty-ninth best strikeout staff in baseball …
* Beleaguered skipper Alan Trammell has vowed to manage to win rather than to develop youngsters this year – a questionable strategy … Example: Journeyman corner infielder Greg Norton made the club … Trammell: “We’re trying to create an atmosphere and win as many games as we can” …
* Mike Maroth has been more realistic: “This kind of rebuilding job doesn’t happen overnight” …
* For his part, GM Dave Dombrowski has vowed to build the club – in order to keep the promise made by Mike Illitch to Pudge … Dombrowski defended his signing of injury-prone veterans like Rodriguez, Fernando Vina and Rondell White by pointing to his success with Kevin Brown and Al Leiter, whom he signed for the Marlins in ’97 … Dombrowski cited the city’s “beautiful ballpark” and “great sports tradition” as his free agent selling points in the years to come ...
* Other last-minute roster decisions: Omar Infante and Chris Shelton in, Danny Klassen and Mike DiFelice out … Infante will spell Guillen, and might see some time in centre … Shelton is unlikely to catch much ...
* Most disappointing aspect of the spring? Team defence, which was conceded by Bobby Higginson to have been abysmal … That’ll be a problem unless it shapes up, given the pitchers’ ball-in-play tendencies …
* In four years, the $40M deal signed by Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez could well be a millstone. But if the Tigers get 144 games of a healthy and consistent Pudge – like the Marlins got last season – he’ll definitely earn his $10M for 2004 … He got on base at a .369 clip and hit 36 doubles and three triples to go with his 16 homers … Interestingly, Pudge put up .375/.463/.583 numbers with runners in scoring position – but was a feeble 1-for-10 with a single with the bases loaded … Pudge hopes never to invoke his "back injury" out-clause, inserted at the Tigers’ insistence … Pudge on his new owner: “Mr. Illitch is tired of losing…He wants to put a good winning team together, little by little. I think he’s going to get there” … Ivan’s 11-year-old son, Dereck, held his dad to his pre-playoffs pledge to walk around the bases together and pray at home plate if the Marlins won the Series … Pudge is a 10-time All-Star with an excellent 45.2% caught stealing rate – despite the reluctance of all but the most daring speedsters to run on him … Former teammate Carl Pavano: “He would challenge you, but he wouldn’t show you up…He pushed us and definitely made us better pitchers” … Ultimately, the Tigers are counting on Pudge to contribute to the lineup, the pitching staff, the team defence and the clubhouse -- and he may be up to the task ...
* Today’s starter, Jason Johnson, departed his last Grapefruit League start after just two innings with a blister on his middle finger, but immediately declared it minor enough that it wouldn’t prevent him from taking the ball on Opening Day … 118 K’s in 189 2/3 innings was a modest total for the ex-Oriole last season, but it’s the closest the Tigers come to having a mature power arm in the rotation … Johnson, a diabetic, received permission from MLB to use an insulin pump during games, and to have it with him on the mound … The pager-sized device will be strapped to his back, so it won’t be a distraction to hitters … Previously, he had pricked his finger to analyze his blood sugar every couple of innings. Now, Johnson feels he can avoid his sluggish spells on the mound by normalizing his blood sugar whenever he requires it … Now, the bad news for JJ: He has a career ERA of 7.62 at SkyDome. Admitting that he struggles against the powerful Blue Jay bats, Johnson hopefully suggested that thinks he’s “slowly starting to get a grip on what to do against their hitters” …
* Ugueth U. Urbina, rescued from the purgatory of self-overvaluation by the Tigers, is compensating for his late start to spring training by pitching with Class-A Lakeland for the first week or so of the season … In spite of his somewhat shaky postseason, Ugie was absolutely lights-out after the All-Star Break last season – 23 hits in 37 1/3 IP for a .178 opposing batting average, with 11 walks, 35 K’s and a 1.45 ERA … The Tigers are banking on that kind of excellence this season. A good omen: Heading to pitcher-friendly Comerica, Urbina had a 1.21 ERA in spacious Pro Player, and his season-long numbers were inflated by his 5.25 ERA in Arlington … Danny Patterson will close in the interim, and here’s hoping he doesn’t get any opportunities in the club’s first three games …
* At least Urbina can pitch. In a more ridiculous story from the self-overvaluation front, we proudly present Esteban Yan … In yet another curious Detroit contract, Yan’s free-agent pact was voidable if he failed to make the starting rotation. Yan failed to make the grade, and sure enough, the volatile righty stormed out of camp, as was his right … After one day on the open market, however, Yan quickly came to his senses and re-signed with Detroit, where he’ll continue to be the same shaky short man he’s always been …
* Tomorrow’s starter, Mike Maroth, will attempt to erase the indignity of his 20th loss of 2003 on the SkyDome turf last September … With just 87 K’s and 34 homers allowed, the 26-year-old lefty was likely full value for his 9-21 record last season, despite poor run support and defensive assistance … Maroth notched a gory 9.77 ERA in three starts against the Jays last season – although he did record a win during the Jays’ frustrating mid-season series at Comerica …
* New shortstop Carlos Guillen put up a respectable batting average and OBP of .276 and .359 respectively last season … Trammell has commended the Venezuelan for being a very positive springtime influence on Infante, Guillen’s younger countryman and possible successor …
* Wednesday’s starter, Nate Cornejo, was maddeningly effective against the Jays last season with a 2.93 ERA … That total included a memorable duel that required Doc to go ten shutout innings for a win … Let’s hope he was lucky. His 58/46 BB/K rate (yes, those are season totals over 194 2/3 innings) was abysmal …
* Trammell has dropped Bobby Higginson and Eric Munson to the bottom of the order, but urged those two to look at the bright side: “Heck, I hit ninth when I played.” Um, you sure about that, Tram? …
* Dmitri Young was described by Dombrowski as “the only guy who would have started on a lot of other teams” from last year’s club … Indeed, the DH had the best season of his career, going .297/.372/.537, including an extraordinarily professional .316/.390/.532 after the All-Star Break, when he had no protection in the batting order and morale could not have been good in the clubhouse … Dombrowski cited Pudge, Vina, Guillen and White as upgrades -- and “certainly respectable at their positions” -- in this year’s lineup …
* Steve Colyer, widely derided as an insufficient return from the Dodgers for Cody Ross, impressed the Tigers with two hitless innings in his first spring appearance with Detroit … Dombrowski: “He’s on the borderline of big league ready…He projects as a #1 lefthanded reliever” … For now, he’s the second LOOGY option after Jamie Walker, who held lefties to a .212 average in last year’s solid season (4-3, 3.32) …
* Reliever Fernando Rodney will start the season on the DL after feeling some discomfort in his pitching elbow during camp … It’s been diagnosed as a mild sprain …
* Rule 5 draftee Lino Urdaneta, a righty reliever, is on the DL with a sore elbow, thus giving the Tigers a bit more time to decide whether to return the youngster to Cleveland … Detroit returned RP-R Mike Bumatay to Colorado last week …
* Dombrowski won’t do anything foolish with stud prospect Kyle Sleeth … The righty starter will go no higher than AA this season, according to the GM …
* For the past 16 years, the Tigers have done no better than 3-3 in their first six games … The Jays and Twins will try and extend this dubious Opening Week streak …
Probable Batting Orders
* Note: The Jays are not expected to use a lefthanded starter this series.
vs. RH
8 Sanchez
4 Vina
2 Rodriguez
DH Young
3 Pena
7 White
6 Guillen
9 Higginson
5 Munson
Pitching Probables
Monday: RH Johnson vs. Halladay
Tuesday: LH Maroth vs. Batista
Wednesday: RH Cornejo vs. Hentgen
Bullpen Usage
Long: Knotts R
Short: Colyer L, Yan R
Setup: Walker L, Levine R
Closer: Patterson R
