(Cue "The Boys Are Back in Town" by Thin Lizzy)
I know. It's been a cold, long winter. And you're probably scared right now. I mean you're wondering, now what am I going to do? No NFL, the NBA blows (for example: the Pistons), and its a month until March Madness, what can I possibly focus on to make my day to day routine of going to work and trying not to murder someone achievable? It's time for the least exciting but most enjoyable part of the year.
BASEBALL SPRING TRAINING!
And the stars of the show? The Lovers of Lakeland, The Detroit Tigers.
First, lets recognize the fact that this may be the most intact a Tiger's team has been int he last decade going into spring training. The only real question is who's going to play second base at this point and that already has a front runner in Carlos Guillen (I just need you to show up bud. You're so awesome... at getting hurt. Lets try and refocus that energy into actually playing). He may not be ready for the start of the season, but that's OK, cus I'd rather have a team that's kicking ass in August cus they're healthy rather then sputtering after the All-Star break due to injuries. Here's what the projected starting line up looks like as of now:
1. CF Austin Jackson: batted .293 last year, which was awesome, but almost equal to his number of strike outs
2. 2B Will Rhymes: 19 RBIs in almost as many games last year, maybe the 2B of the future, not the answer in 2011 tho
3. RF Magglio Ordonez: He's back, with no contract negotiation hanging over his head and a strong ankle. Last chance dude
4. 1B Miguel Cabrera: Does what he wants. Except drink booze cus he gave it up. Looking forward to a monster MVP season
5. DH Victor Martinez: Huge pick up. Should have a big season and see a ton of pitches batting around Cabrera
6. LF Ryan Raburn: 62 RBIs in 2010. This is your shot. He'll be the everyday LF as long as Boesch remains inconsistent
7. SS Jhonny Peralta: Besides the terrible spelling, like the ability he brings to the bottom of the lineup.
8. 3B Brandon Inge: Thought maybe we'd let the pitcher hit and have Maritnez DH for Inge. 70 RBI last year though. 68 before the All-Star break
9. C Alex Avila: I'll miss Laird's arm and dumb face, but the potential Avila brings to actually get a hit is nice
Projected Rotation
1. Justin Verlander: 18-9 in 2010. Needs a big season to make all those video game commercials he did relevant again
2. Max Scherzer: 3.50 ERA in 2010. Was probably a little nervous living in the D last year. He's settled in now and should be solid
3. Rick Porcello: He's back with something to prove. Probably still jacked from kicking Youk's ass in 2008
4. Phil Coke: From the pen to the starting job. Love this guy's attitude and can't wait to see what happens
5. Brad Penny: I mean, who knows how this is going to work out, but if it's all cyclical, he's due for a good year
Bull Pen
Closer- Jose Valverde: 26/29 saves last year. The intensity. The power. The consistency. He's the whole package
RH Setup Man- Joaquin Benoit: 1.34 ERA in 2010. Zumaya who? We'll find a whole new reason to cheer in the 8th inning
LF Setup Man- Daniel Schlereth: Max Schlereth's son. Nuff said. He's got athletic genes
New people to watch out for (some with awesome names):
RHP Al Alburquerque: 24 years old. Competing for the bullpen against Weinhardt. 99 mph fastball. He could be my favorite new player because of the awesome t-shirt possibilities.
LHP Andy Oliver: Almost got a shot to be in the starting rotation until Brad Penny showed up and ruined his fucking chances. Good news? We get to keep him in the incubator for another half a season. Cus I guarantee that at some point, we're going to have to look for starting pitching, and it'll be nice to have someone with something to play for to reinvigorate the team come July.
SS Danny Worth: He had a heel injury after trying to fill in at 2nd base last season, but now he's on the mend. He's a younger version of Adam Everett with more potential to hit. I mean, my mom probably has more potential to hit than Everett, but Worth, if he puts the time in, could be an effective SS in the future.
In Memoriam (to the people we won't see this year)
OF Johnny Damon: Can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm really going to miss this guy. Hit (or walked) in some clutch situations and made the locker room a more stable place with some veteran leadership. Wish he could of stayed, but we're looking to the future, not the past
RHP Armando Galargga: He did have one awesome start last year and may have been the only reason the Tiger's got any coverage last year. Not so much an integral piece but more a publicist's dream to have him stay. He's with Arizona now and it's probably better that way. He'll have more fun in the NL
RHP Zach Miner: Not alot to say to the work horse. Good luck.
RHP Jeremey Bonderman: Now that he's not on our team, I can tell this guy what I really think about him. Your tattoos are idiotic. You haven't pitched a decent game in 4 years. You're terrible. The worst. The pits. You're parents should have aborted you (a bit much I know). But honestly, I'm glad we finally shed the baggage that is Jeremey Bonderman and I don't care if he has a break out year or if his arm is finally healed. I'm so tired of watching this Humpty Dumpty egg shaped asshole step to the mound, I hope he chokes on his contract in Cleveland.
All in all I'm super stoked to be able to start thinking about baseball again. I leave you with some important dates, but remember to check in with JBS for all your Tigers related coverage. And this year, I'll try to make it past June.
Pitchers and Catchers report: Sunday, Feb. 13
Full Squad reports: Thursday, Feb. 17
First Spring Training Game: Home vs. Florida Southern College, Feb. 25, 1:05 ET
Opening Day: @ Yankees, March 31, 1:05 ET
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