2011-12 Hot Stove Thread

Re: 2011 Hot Stove Thread

I didn't say better players. I said better upgrades. Going with the idea that they only care about the immediate future and the long-term doesn't matter much:

Pujols, of course, was a much bigger upgrade.
Upgrading their middle infield with Jose Reyes would have been a bigger upgrade.
Adding CJ Wilson and/or Yu Darvish to the rotation, bumping off the No. 5, would have been a better upgrade.
Their bullpen was pretty solid at the top end last season, but splitting up that money into a starting pitcher (Oswalt/Kurodo/Buehrle) and a top reliever (Madson) would have been a better upgrade.

If the owner doesn't care about money because he's a billionaire, why did they let so many good opportunities pass by?

 

Re: 2011 Hot Stove Thread

Not just at 1b/DH. The Tigers could seriously use an upgrade in the middle of the rotation and at 2b. If Illitch is an old billionaire and money doesn't matter, it's very odd that they chose not to address those.

 

Re: 2011 Hot Stove Thread

Paying Wilson No. 1 money when he's at best a 3 for any other good team is not a wise use of resources.

 

Re: 2011 Hot Stove Thread

Neither is paying Prince Fielder like he's an elite player when he isn't. But Illitch is old and a billionaire, so that doesn't matter.

 

Re: 2011 Hot Stove Thread

I think they are paying him as much for elite entertainment. A distinction to be made.

 

Re: 2011 Hot Stove Thread

How in blue hell is Prince Fielder not an elite player?

 

Re: 2011 Hot Stove Thread

I'm pretty sure the old billionaire allows his baseball operations folks to handle middle infielder and middle-of-the-rotation acquisitions. Peralta and Raburn are coming off pretty good years, anyway, and I doubt the club considered either position to be in dire need of an upgrade. And if he waited a few more days it might have made sense to bring in Yoenis Cespedes and let him play right field.

But the fact is that when Martinez went down Ilitich decided to make a big splash by signing a highly marketable slugger who grew up in the Tigers' clubhouse. Good for him. Good for Prince. Good for the fans.

 

Re: 2011 Hot Stove Thread

He's the worst or very nearly the worst baserunner and defender at his position, and he's only a great hitter every other year.

 

Re: 2011 Hot Stove Thread

He's averaged 37 homers, 106 RBIs and a .929 OPS per 162 games in his career. He's elite as elite gets as a hitter.

He also almost never misses a game, which makes him a lot more valuable than some players with better reputations.

 

Re: 2011 Hot Stove Thread

So after reading the last two pages, it's obvious Rick is just being dense.

 

Re: 2011 Hot Stove Thread

Rick -- if Martinez had been hurt when Pujols was on the market, don't you think the Tigers would have gone after Pujols?

 

Re: 2011 Hot Stove Thread

That OPS would have been fifth at his own position last year. When you suck at defense and baserunning, and your hitting is only 5th best at your position, you aren't an elite player.

And of course, you can't count on him for those averages. Half the time, he'll show up and give you .270/30/90 for the whole year.