Night_King

December 23rd, 2016 at 4:22 PM ^

Haha I'm a fan (unfortunately), but they've been the best out of all the city's teams this year. If they don't beat Green Bay next week and miss the playoffs, that will really be something. Even a wildcard spot would be a slight disappointment. I'm very nervous, because I can't remember the last time the Lions/Stafford won a must-win game.



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Navy Wolverine

December 23rd, 2016 at 8:28 PM ^

So of the Tigers, Wings, Lions and Pistons, which is closest to winning a championship? I guess the answer is probably none of the above considering none of them are even close.

If I had to answer, I'd probably go with the Lions which is completely ludicrous considering their history. The Tigers are selling off assets so they can be sold. The Red Wings are in salary cap hell weighed down by bad contracts and Holland refuses to rebuild like he should. The Pistons are stuck in NBA no-man's land - not even close to contending but they don't suck enough to get a high lottery pick to get the superstar they need to make the next step. At least the Lions have a decent QB in Stafford but they are the Lions of course.

Joined: 09/26/2016

MGoPoints: 19370

umchicago

December 23rd, 2016 at 5:01 PM ^

i would rather play an untested rookie and pay him the minimum than an old piece of garbage like avila.  people say but wait he walks a lot.  who cares? it takes 3 more hits to score him.  his is w/o question one of the worst hitters in MLB.

Joined: 02/05/2009

MGoPoints: 33674

PopeLando

December 23rd, 2016 at 5:00 PM ^

Actually yes. Because enough baseball managers still think that only left handed relievers should pitch against left handed batters, statistics be damned. So if Avila is in the lineup next to another lefty, that could potentially burn an opponent's LOOGY in a critical late inning situation. If they expect Avila to produce...then I've got nothing...

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MGoPoints: 68842

umchicago

December 23rd, 2016 at 5:13 PM ^

they are willing to pay $2 million for garbage instead of any warm body for the league minimum.  yet they want to cut payroll.  wtf is it?  hell, that's a good place to cut costs.  get rid of the marginal players that cost over the league minimum and don't produce any better than some kid in the minors. avila has had one good year his entire career.  he scores less than one time per 10 plate appearances.  his RBI ain't much better.  then also factor in all of his strikeout and double plays.  he is an absolute joke.

add up the silly salaries of pelfrey, lowe and aviles from last year to this year and it's close to $30 million.  it's idiocy like that that pushes you over the salary cap.  and that doesn't even count anibal sanchez, but at least he had some good years with the tigers.

i continue to have zero faith in daddy avila and even less in his son, if that's possible.

Joined: 02/05/2009

MGoPoints: 33674

CoverZero

December 23rd, 2016 at 4:20 PM ^

The Tigers are becoming a disaster.  His father obviously is in over his head as GM.  The manager is in over his head as well.  Aging roster of bloated contacts.  Yet, there still is enough of a base of talent there, where a solid GM and manager could keep the competitive.

Joined: 08/30/2014

MGoPoints: 14571

Darker Blue

December 23rd, 2016 at 5:07 PM ^

The Tigers were in the playoff hunt right up until the last weekend of the season. I'd say that's being pretty competitive. 

I'm not saying they'll make the playoffs this year, but there is a lot of really good young pieces on this team, along with a lot more veteran leadership. I'm not too worried about the Tigs 

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MGoPoints: 80456

Everyone Murders

December 23rd, 2016 at 5:14 PM ^

I like how you abbreviated "what" and "the" - helps protect any tender eyes looking on this thread!

(I was a big Dombrowski fan, and think Avila had a very tough act to follow - and a smaller wallet to work with.  I'm pretty neutral on Ausmus.  I think he's better than his general reputation, but so far not exactly great.)

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MGoPoints: 65552

Sambojangles

December 23rd, 2016 at 4:30 PM ^

I never understand why fans get so upset over the back end of the roster. Newsflash, every team has some shitty backup catcher/25th man who can't hit. It really doesn't matter. Avila will play in maybe 25% of the games, if that.

The Tigers season will depend on how JV and JZ pitch/stay healthy, whether the three young starters keep growing, and getting continued excellence from the big stars in the lineup. Their performance this season is far more high leverage than whatever happens with AA.



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Lampuki22

December 23rd, 2016 at 5:41 PM ^

Yeah well it was league minimum for Salty and he won several games with his bat early. I am a big fan of McCann. I'm just saying Verlander shakes off a lot of pitches and gets pissed with MCCann at least once a game. There is way more to catching than blocking and throwing guys out. 90% of play involves the catcher. Runners steal about 3 times a game. Very few young players are as good as veterans at the small 90% stuff.



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