Post by Strategist on Jan 3, 2020 20:27:12 GMT
Next up the DET Tigers.
2018 Review:
Record: 77-85 R/G Scored: 8th (AL) R/G Against: 10th (AL)
Starting the Offseason:
Lineup: George Springer, Khris Davis, and JT Realmuto combined to provide a very good middle of the order with Starling Marte and Juan Segura providing a solid 1-2 punch at the top. The lineup also had depth with solid players to fill in the rest of the spots. Not really any major holes going into the offseason except maybe LF and 1B. Eric did a great job filling these 2 spots in the offseason getting Corey Dickerson and Kendrys Morales. These moves gave DET an average to above average player at every position on the field.
Rotation: Jacob DeGrom a perennial Cy Young candidate was a great starting place. Mike Clevinger a solid #2, Rich Hill a solid #3 and slightly below average SPs Jharel Cotton, and Joe Ross filling out the starting rotation. I would say that this rotation would have been in the top 10 to start the season. Definitely a strength of the Tigers. Did sign Kyle Gibson to provide some depth in case of injuries.
Bullpen: 2 Stud left handers lead this bullpen, Zack Britton and Will Smith. They did add a few relievers in Ranger Suarez, Wade Leblanc, Drew Muren and Tyler Chatwood which helped to add some depth. Probably needed to add 1 more elite arm if they could have.
Early Season:
Hovered around .500 for most of the first 3 months. Hill would go down to an injury so they did make a move to bring in Gio Gonzalez.
Mid Season:
Right at .500 through the trade deadline but finally went on a steak in August to the the tune of 19-9 to jump into the wild card hunt.
End of the Season thoughts:
Lineup:
Finished 4th (AL) in runs and top 5 in most categories. Springer (Missed 30+ games) and Morales were great, both finishing with 30+ HRs and 127 OPS+. Everyone else ranged anywhere from Slightly above average to slightly below average. I think all in all Eric was probably happy with how his lineup preformed as a whole. Only Davis stands out as a player who woefully under preformed his projection. He did hit 45 HRs but with a .206 BA and 245 Ks.
Rotation:
Starters' ERA of 4.11 was 3rd (AL). Degrom was amazing as expected leading the AL in ERA and 3rd in Ks. Should be right up there in the Cy Young vote. Clevinger was ok and Rich Hill had 11 starts of ok pitching before getting hurt. Ross and Cotton sure did pick up the slack combining for 21-12 record with ERA around 3.6 in 55 GS.
Bullpen:
Bullpen ERA 4.46 was 13 (AL) looks to be what was the Tigers Downfall. Even their studs Britton and Smith didn't pitch to the level that the Tigers needed. The bullpen ended up with 24 BS and 25 losses.
In Conclusion:
The Tigers had an above average offense and starting rotation. Missing out on the playoffs by just 4 games. The bullpen just wasn't deep enough for this team in the end. Only 114 Mil of guaranteed contracts going into this off-season the Tigers have most of their core team back. Degrom and Clevinger will combined to form 1 of the top 5 SP duo's in the league if not #1. Need some depth behind those 2 and some help in the bullpen. The lineup should be solid once again. Morales, Dickerson, and Davis are all FA but should have plenty of cap space to resign them or acquire replacements. With some additions this team should be right there battling for the division and wild card next season.
Trades Overview:
SP Antonio Santillan, SS Tyler Frank, and 2 Mil for LF Corey Dickerson - 2 mid tier prospects and some cash to acquire their starting LF which was a huge hole for them going into the offseason. Played solid hitting .271/.321/.464 with 20 HRs 88 RBIs and a 106 OPS+. I would think that Eric was happy with how this trade turned out.
RP Andrew Edwards for 1B Kendrys Morales - A salary dump of the Rays Edwards was a none prospect. Morales ended up being one of the Tigers best hitting .280/.345/.526 40 HRs 102 RBIs for a 127 OPS+. Turned out absolutely amazing for the Tigers.
RP Wade Leblanc for SP Gio Gonzalez - Another salary dump trade from the Rays this one didn't work out. Gio going 4-7 with 6.53 ERA in 19 GS.
Free Agency Overview:
RP Wade Leblanc 1 yr .545 Mil - Unfortunately did not pitch well having a 9.90 ERA in 33 games. Eventually traded for Gonzalez who didnt pitch much better. D-
SP Kyle Gibson 2 yr 3.3 Mil - Didn't pitch in the major for the Tigers but his performance IRL should allow him to be a usable #5 starter next season. C
RP Drew Muran 1 yr 1.6 Mil - 1.80 ERA with 83 Ks in 50 IP in 51 games. Was a bright spot in a bullpen that didn't have many. Turned out to be a great signing for the Tigers. B+
RP Tyler Chatwood 1 yr 1.545 Mil - Provided a lot of innings pitching in 90 games and 112 IP the problem is that he wasn't very good in those IP. Finished with a 5.45 ERA. D+
Looking at his salary cap it doesn't look like Eric had a bunch of cap space to make moves in FA so he had to focus on low cost options. Unfortunately 3 of the 4 pitchers turned in poor seasons. D+
2018 Review:
Record: 77-85 R/G Scored: 8th (AL) R/G Against: 10th (AL)
Starting the Offseason:
Lineup: George Springer, Khris Davis, and JT Realmuto combined to provide a very good middle of the order with Starling Marte and Juan Segura providing a solid 1-2 punch at the top. The lineup also had depth with solid players to fill in the rest of the spots. Not really any major holes going into the offseason except maybe LF and 1B. Eric did a great job filling these 2 spots in the offseason getting Corey Dickerson and Kendrys Morales. These moves gave DET an average to above average player at every position on the field.
Rotation: Jacob DeGrom a perennial Cy Young candidate was a great starting place. Mike Clevinger a solid #2, Rich Hill a solid #3 and slightly below average SPs Jharel Cotton, and Joe Ross filling out the starting rotation. I would say that this rotation would have been in the top 10 to start the season. Definitely a strength of the Tigers. Did sign Kyle Gibson to provide some depth in case of injuries.
Bullpen: 2 Stud left handers lead this bullpen, Zack Britton and Will Smith. They did add a few relievers in Ranger Suarez, Wade Leblanc, Drew Muren and Tyler Chatwood which helped to add some depth. Probably needed to add 1 more elite arm if they could have.
Early Season:
Hovered around .500 for most of the first 3 months. Hill would go down to an injury so they did make a move to bring in Gio Gonzalez.
Mid Season:
Right at .500 through the trade deadline but finally went on a steak in August to the the tune of 19-9 to jump into the wild card hunt.
End of the Season thoughts:
Lineup:
Finished 4th (AL) in runs and top 5 in most categories. Springer (Missed 30+ games) and Morales were great, both finishing with 30+ HRs and 127 OPS+. Everyone else ranged anywhere from Slightly above average to slightly below average. I think all in all Eric was probably happy with how his lineup preformed as a whole. Only Davis stands out as a player who woefully under preformed his projection. He did hit 45 HRs but with a .206 BA and 245 Ks.
Rotation:
Starters' ERA of 4.11 was 3rd (AL). Degrom was amazing as expected leading the AL in ERA and 3rd in Ks. Should be right up there in the Cy Young vote. Clevinger was ok and Rich Hill had 11 starts of ok pitching before getting hurt. Ross and Cotton sure did pick up the slack combining for 21-12 record with ERA around 3.6 in 55 GS.
Bullpen:
Bullpen ERA 4.46 was 13 (AL) looks to be what was the Tigers Downfall. Even their studs Britton and Smith didn't pitch to the level that the Tigers needed. The bullpen ended up with 24 BS and 25 losses.
In Conclusion:
The Tigers had an above average offense and starting rotation. Missing out on the playoffs by just 4 games. The bullpen just wasn't deep enough for this team in the end. Only 114 Mil of guaranteed contracts going into this off-season the Tigers have most of their core team back. Degrom and Clevinger will combined to form 1 of the top 5 SP duo's in the league if not #1. Need some depth behind those 2 and some help in the bullpen. The lineup should be solid once again. Morales, Dickerson, and Davis are all FA but should have plenty of cap space to resign them or acquire replacements. With some additions this team should be right there battling for the division and wild card next season.
Trades Overview:
SP Antonio Santillan, SS Tyler Frank, and 2 Mil for LF Corey Dickerson - 2 mid tier prospects and some cash to acquire their starting LF which was a huge hole for them going into the offseason. Played solid hitting .271/.321/.464 with 20 HRs 88 RBIs and a 106 OPS+. I would think that Eric was happy with how this trade turned out.
RP Andrew Edwards for 1B Kendrys Morales - A salary dump of the Rays Edwards was a none prospect. Morales ended up being one of the Tigers best hitting .280/.345/.526 40 HRs 102 RBIs for a 127 OPS+. Turned out absolutely amazing for the Tigers.
RP Wade Leblanc for SP Gio Gonzalez - Another salary dump trade from the Rays this one didn't work out. Gio going 4-7 with 6.53 ERA in 19 GS.
Free Agency Overview:
RP Wade Leblanc 1 yr .545 Mil - Unfortunately did not pitch well having a 9.90 ERA in 33 games. Eventually traded for Gonzalez who didnt pitch much better. D-
SP Kyle Gibson 2 yr 3.3 Mil - Didn't pitch in the major for the Tigers but his performance IRL should allow him to be a usable #5 starter next season. C
RP Drew Muran 1 yr 1.6 Mil - 1.80 ERA with 83 Ks in 50 IP in 51 games. Was a bright spot in a bullpen that didn't have many. Turned out to be a great signing for the Tigers. B+
RP Tyler Chatwood 1 yr 1.545 Mil - Provided a lot of innings pitching in 90 games and 112 IP the problem is that he wasn't very good in those IP. Finished with a 5.45 ERA. D+
Looking at his salary cap it doesn't look like Eric had a bunch of cap space to make moves in FA so he had to focus on low cost options. Unfortunately 3 of the 4 pitchers turned in poor seasons. D+