Lots of strange news coming out of Lakeland as we make final preps for the 2009 season. Sitting just 1 home run shy of 500, the Tigers cut Gary Sheffield this morning. No time for sentimentality here. This news comes on the heels of sending Dontrell Willis and Joel Zumaya to the DL. Defying all laws of medicine, the Tigers are claiming D Willis has an anxiety disorder which was found through a blood test…Um, ok.
The Tigers also traded for Josh Anderson. A young, speedy outfielder. Both Rick Procello and Ryan Perry, two young pitchers with great arms, seem to have locked up roster spots.
Are these the signs of a desperate team making rash decisions late in spring? Or have we simply turned the corner in shedding dead weight from an abysmal 2008 campaign? I’m hoping for latter.
Getting younger, faster and leaner seems appropriate as we try to recapture some of the magic from 06.
I think you know where I stand here, Dettigers. Sheffield has been poison since he came to Detroit – destroying the attitude, chemistry, and chip-on-the-shoulder spirit that we had in ‘06. Plus, the man couldn’t produce.
Don’t let the door hit him in the steroid track marked ass.
sheffield didn’t destroy anything, although he did bat somewhere near .215 the entire time he played in Detroit. It’s important to realize WHY sheffield was let go: lack of production; instead of simply making character judgments and allegations. As an example I would like to point out the entire “Latino players comment controversy” didn’t stir much or any reaction from our half Latino clubhouse.
It’s just a shame that so much Tiger money was spent with so little results.
GKell, i see where you’re coming from, but it’s hard for us to guage exactly what effect a comment like Shef’s about Latino players had on our clubhouse. One thing is certain, it didn’t help. Add to that the fact that he did not produce, and the decision the Tigers made today is clearly a good one.
I knew you would be prompt in responding to this news about Sheffield. It’s just a business deal, but getting rid of the attitude and questionable sound bites is a welcomed bonus. This leads to the question of who fills the DH void, and Thames seems an obvious choice. Will he step up and extrapolate his numbers from limited at bats into a great season? It’ll be fun to watch.
thanks for weighing in Mark. it will be interesting to see what Thames can do. I have a feeling he’ll still not be used as an every day player though. the kid we got in the trade (anderson) will be used in left a lot, moving guillien to the DH quite often. but yes, this will certainly open up more at bats for our guy Marcus.
How was the spring training trip?
Leyland has never strayed from the philosophy that the best players should play, regardless of who they are. Remember, this is the same team that took a VERY young Verlander/Zumaya tandem north a few years ago, long before either of them had proven anything. Let’s face it, Willis was baggage in the Cabrera deal, their mistake was giving him another contract before he stepped on the field. Cutting Shef loose was a business decision. The guy was healthy and was hitting less than a deuce in the pre-season, before the good arms even start producing. It’ll be an interesting year, but much more about the arms than the bats….again.
I note that Brandon Inge is on pace to hit 164 home runs this season.
seriously, inge has been looking very good. it’s early, but i’d be more than happy to eat crow on this one.
and eat crow you shall!