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 Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010

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PostSubject: Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010   Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Icon_minitimeSun Oct 03, 2010 9:07 pm

Posted: Oct. 3, 2010 | Updated: 3:02 a.m. today
Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations

BY MATTHEW CAMMARATA
FREE PRESS SPECIAL WRITER

Exceeded Expectations

Phil Coke

Had a career year, setting individual highs in games, innings, wins and strikeouts. Coke struggled some after the All-Star break, mirroring most of the Tigers' bullpen, but has a 3.57 ERA and is second in the American League in appearances.

Miguel Cabrera

Stayed in the hunt for the Triple Crown until Jose Bautista's homer explosion and his ankle injury this past week. Cabrera set a career high with 38 homers, is in the AL's top five in homers, batting average and RBIs, and is first in on-base percentage. Could win MVP.

Austin Jackson

Showed remarkable maturity for a rookie leading off. Jackson is in the AL's top 10 in runs (102), hits (181) and triples (10). His average has been at or above .295 all year, he is 26-for-32 in steals and should finish first or second in rookie of the year voting.

Casper Wells

Has batted .353 in 33 games, with four homers and six doubles in fewer than 100 at-bats. Wells never has put a full season together in the minors and never hit above .290, so fans shouldn't expect him to keep that pace if he makes the team next year as a fourth or fifth outfielder.

Will Rhymes

Finally made it to the majors at 27 and seized the opportunity, hitting an impressive .292 and playing quality defense. After Scott Sizemore's poor start and Carlos Guillen's injury, Rhymes' play came at a time when the team needed someone to fill the vacancy at second.

Met Expectations

Jeremy Bonderman

Pitched his first full season since 2007, giving the team 28 starts and eight wins. However, Bonderman finished with a 5.18 ERA. He may never be a top-of-the-rotation starter again, but he has proven that he can eat innings and could be a No. 4 or 5 starter for years to come.

Armando Galarraga

Struggled after the All-Star break, going 1-6 with an ERA of 4.74 after starting the year with a 3-2 record and his infamous one-hitter against the Indians. Galarraga shows glimpses of being a productive starter but gives up too many hits and doesn't strike enough.

Ryan Perry

The rare bullpen member who improved on his first-half numbers. In 30 games after the break, Perry had a 2.55 ERA and held batters to a .219 average. His ERA (3.75) is similar to last season's (3.79), but his second-half improvement could be the proof that he could one day be the closer.

Max Scherzer

Struggled at the start of the season, then exceeded expectations. Following a minor league stint in May, he has gone 11-7 with a 2.46 ERA, pitching at least five innings in every start. Scherzer, 26, should be the Tigers' No. 2 starter for years to come.

Daniel Schlereth

In limited action, the lefty showed the potential that made him a first-rounder in 2008. Schlereth improved his control, nearly cutting his walks in half from 2009, but still struck out one per inning. Should be a full-time bullpen member next season.

Jose Valverde

For the first four months, Valverde was arguably the AL's most dominant closer. Had a subpar August followed by an elbow injury in September. Since July 30, his ERA has been 6.23. Getting Valverde healthy and back to his dominating self in 2011 is a huge priority.

Justin Verlander

Ace of the staff as expected, finishing with 18 wins and more than 200 strikeouts for the second-straight season. He is one of the most talented starters in the majors, but continues to struggle in the first inning (6.00 ERA). He struggled at season's start.

Brandon Inge

His production at the plate was mediocre but his defense was, as usual, above average. His power numbers were down from last year, when he battled knee injuries. Batting below .250 for the fourth consecutive season, but was valuable thanks to his clubhouse presence and dependable defense.

Jhonny Peralta

Since coming to the Tigers in a rare interdivision trade with the Indians, Peralta has batted .263 and has almost as many homers (eight) and RBIs (37) in 54 games as he had with the Indians in 91 games (seven and 43). Peralta filled an immediate need at shortstop and has played well defensively.

Ramon Santiago

Served as the Tigers' utility middle infielder and has played in 109 games, the most since 2003. Santiago certainly doesn't overwhelm anyone at the plate (.268, three HRs) but he is dependable at second base or shortstop.

Ryan Raburn

It has been a tale of two halves for Raburn this season: In the first half, he hit .208 with two homers and 16 RBIs. Since the All-Star break, he has batted .319, with 13 home runs and 45 RBIs.

Don Kelly

Can play all outfield positions, first base and third base effectively and finally hit his first major league home run at the age of 30. Kelly added six more homers and drove in 24 runs in limited playing time.

Brad Thomas

Returned to the majors for the first time since 2004. Thomas responded from a rough stretch at the beginning of the year. In August and September, Thomas' ERA was 3.09 and he has been one of the Tigers' best.

Below Expectations

Eddie Bonine

With an ERA near 5.00 and opposing batters hitting .307 against him, Bonine took a step back this year. His versatility as either a reliever or a starter helps, but he will have to fight in spring training to keep his bullpen spot.

Alfredo Figaro

A success in the minors that has not translated to major league success. Figaro has been ineffective since getting called up in mid-August. He has given up at least a run in five of his seven appearances and has an astronomical WHIP of 1.89.

Rick Porcello

A year after finishing third in rookie of the year voting, Porcello has gone 10-11 with a 5.01 ERA. Similar to Scherzer, Porcello was demoted to Toledo and came back much improved, going 6-4 since then.

Alex Avila

Struggled with the bat and behind the plate in the beginning of the year. Started to look comfortable as the season progressed. Avila's best month was September, where he showcased the power he provided down the stretch in 2009.

Gerald Laird

Easily one of the biggest disappointments. Laird struggled to keep his batting average above .200 all season, and has thrown out only 34% of baserunners this year, compared to 42% last year, with five passed balls in 75 starts at catcher.

Scott Sizemore

Expected to replace Placido Polanco at second base, Sizemore looked overmatched at the plate and didn't impress in the field. Sizemore's poor play earned him a demotion to Toledo two months into the season. Sizemore has looked better at the plate since his recall in September, hitting .400.

Brennan Boesch

After a sizzling start to his career, Boesch brought back memories of Chris Shelton in the second half. After hitting .342 in the first half, Boesch hit .167 in the second half, not hitting higher than .209 in any of the last three months.

Johnny Damon

Damon brought a great attitude to the clubhouse and has been a team player all season, but his play has not justified an $8-million salary.

Robbie Weinhardt

His ERA of 6.35 and 39 hits allowed in 28 1/3 innings belies an improved September (1.69 ERA).

Injured

Magglio OrdoƱez

Was exceeding expectations before a broken ankle ended his season in July. Ordonez was having a bounce-back year (.303, 12 HRs, 59 RBIs) from his power outage in 2009 (nine HRs, 50 RBIs). The injury allows the Tigers to avoid his $15-million contract extension for 2011.

Carlos Guillen

For the third consecutive season, Guillen missed a substantial amount of time on the disabled list, going on the DL three times. When healthy, Guillen hit a very pedestrian .273, with only six home runs in 68 games. Guillen may not be fully recovered by the spring.

Joel Zumaya

Was having his best season since 2006 until he suffered a fractured arm after throwing a pitch. Zumaya had an impressive 3:1 strikeout ratio, the best of his career, and a 2.58 ERA in 31 games. Zumaya's rehab has been progressing well, and he is expected to be ready for spring training.

Danny Worth

The Tigers' 2007 second-round draft pick was filling in nicely at shortstop before he suffered a heel injury Aug. 3. Worth never hit above .265 in the minors, so it is still unclear whether he can hit at the big league level.

Note: All statistics are entering Friday.


Read more: Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations | freep.com | Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20101003/SPORTS02/10030474#ixzz11LMPH8RB
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PostSubject: Re: Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010   Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Icon_minitimeMon Oct 04, 2010 8:26 pm

Tigers have questions, but answers abound
Between strong rotation and talented hitters, pieces in place
By Jason Beck / MLB.com | 10/03/10 6:00 PM ET

DETROIT -- The Tigers head into 2011 with more questions than they've probably had in any winter since '03. But between an influx of young talent and more than $50 million in contracts coming off the payroll, they have more potential answers than they've had in a longer time than that.

The combination of the two makes the Tigers one of the most interesting teams in baseball to watch this offseason, and a team undergoing a generational change. They could enter next spring with just two or three players -- Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya, possibly Zach Miner as well -- still around from the 2006 team that went to the World Series. The players who fill those places could fill out the team that finally gets back to the postseason for the first time since that magical year.

If they get back, it'll most likely be on the strength of their "big three" starting pitchers. With Verlander, Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello all under team control through 2014, and all in different stages of joining the league's elite arms, Detroit has the foundation to contend for several years if it can find some offense to support Miguel Cabrera and some help at a couple other key spots.

"This organization is in good shape," manager Jim Leyland said. "It's got some good young players. It's got some good veteran players. It's got great fans. It's got great ownership. And it's in good shape. And yes, I think it's a team that can compete. I think we came into this year thinking we could compete, and we did."

They go into next season thinking they should contend. For all the questions they face, their key positions are largely set, from their front-end rotation to their closer to their leadoff and cleanup batters. Defensively, they're a double-play combination short of being set up the middle with catcher Alex Avila and center fielder Austin Jackson.

They have the versatility to fit in a middle-of-the-order hitter in a number of different traditional power spots -- both corner outfield positions are wide open, as is designated hitter, and the left side of the infield is only slightly clearer -- and they have the payroll space to attract him. What they don't have is the luxury of a deep market for impact offensive players.

"It's not particularly a gorgeous free-agent list," Leyland said. "But it doesn't take much for this club. This club has a chance to be real good. How many people are going to be going after some of that list? You don't know until you get into some type of financial bidding war, I guess. I don't know that we're going to do that. I think it's one of those years where you try to pick the right piece at the right price, and we don't need many pieces."

Contract issues
Free agents: Jeremy Bonderman, RHP; Johnny Damon, OF; Brandon Inge, 3B; Gerald Laird, C; Bobby Seay, LHP.
Eligible for arbitration: Armando Galarraga, RHP; Zach Miner, RHP; Ryan Raburn, IF/OF; Joel Zumaya, RHP.
Player options: None.
Club options: Magglio Ordonez, OF, $15 million; Jhonny Peralta, IF, $7.25 million.
Non-tender possibilities: Miner, Zumaya.

Position-by-position look at where the 2010 roster stands going into 2011. The arrows represent how the player's 2010 season compared to 2009.

Catchers

Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Up Alex Avila
Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Down Gerald Laird

Avila's performance in close to everyday duty down the stretch suggests he performs better when he plays regularly. His performed well enough that he'll get the majority of the starts next year. That leaves the Tigers looking for a veteran, preferably a right-handed hitter, to back up and possibly share time in stretches.

First base

Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Up Miguel Cabrera
As difficult as it is to imagine Cabrera doing much more than he did for the Tigers this season, it's feasible if they can find a proven power hitter to bat behind him and keep some healthy hitters to reach base in front of him. Lineup protection is one of the Tigers' primary offseason targets.

Second base

Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Down Carlos Guillen
Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Up Will Rhymes
Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Up Scott Sizemore
Guillen may or may not be ready to start next season after microfracture surgery on his knee. If he is, he isn't likely to be at second base, at least not as the regular starter. Guillen could end up shifting around at a few different positions in a superutility role, unless the Tigers have a need.

Shortstop

Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Even Jhonny Peralta
Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Up Danny Worth
Whether the Tigers pick up Peralta's option or sign him to a new contract altogether, they want him back at short, and they'll have him on an offseason workout plan to do it. His standout offensive production and reliable glove down the stretch convinced the Tigers they could live with his below-average range, especially if they have a rangier third baseman beside him.

Third base

Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Even Brandon Inge
Staying with the Tigers is clearly Inge's first preference, and the fact that the Tigers offered him a multi-year contract in the season's final week makes it a likelihood. Inge's range gives the Tigers a better chance of using Peralta at short without a significant defensive dropoff, though Inge will be 34 next season and his bat is what it is.

Outfield

Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Up Brennan Boesch
Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Up Austin Jackson
Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Even Don Kelly
Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Down Magglio Ordonez
Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Even Ryan Raburn
Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Up Casper Wells

It's a big group, but Jackson is the only member of it with a spot assured for next season. The Tigers believe Ordonez still has it with the bat, but must decide how much ankle surgery will limit, and at what cost they're willing to bring him back after declining his option. He could end up more of a DH. Boesch and Wells will compete for spots, possibly in a mix at one corner. Raburn is in line for close to a regular role, according to Dombrowski.

Designated hitter

Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Down Johnny Damon
Damon hit well enough to find a regular role, but it won't be in Detroit, which will open up a spot for the big hitter they're expected to pursue on the market.

Rotation

Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Down Jeremy Bonderman
Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Even Armando Galarraga
Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Up Rick Porcello
Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Up Max Scherzer
Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Up Justin Verlander

It's quite a benefit to look at a roster in September and be able to write in the top three spots of next year's rotation in ink rather than pencil. Verlander, Scherzer and Porcello should be at least the best starting trio in the division, and one of the tops in the league. The Tigers have tabbed reliever Phil Coke for the rotation next year to add a lefty arm. The fifth spot is potentially wide open. Andy Oliver is expected to get a chance to compete for a spot after his brief summer internship as the fifth starter this year, while the Tigers might have a decision to make on the arbitration-eligible Galarraga. Fellow prospect Charlie Furbush could be a dark-horse candidate with a strong Spring Training.

Bullpen

Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Even Eddie Bonine
Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Even Phil Coke
Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Down Alfredo Figaro
Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Down Zach Miner
Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Up Ryan Perry
Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Up Daniel Schlereth
Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Down Bobby Seay
Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Even Jose Valverde
Which Tigers topped, met and fell below expectations in 2010 Up Robbie Weinhardt

Despite injuries up and down the farm system among relief prospects, the Tigers have the depth to build a young corps around their veteran closer and an experienced setup man or two that they'll seek on the market. Schlereth and Weinhardt took major steps forward in their first seasons as Tigers, while Perry found some much-needed consistency towards season's end.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. Read Beck's Blog and follow him on Twitter @beckjason. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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