25 man roster taking shape!

[Dannomyte]

1- Infante 2B
2- Guillen SS
3- Pudge C
4- Magglio RF
5- Da Meathook DH
6- White LF
7- Pena 1B
8- Monroe CF
9- Inge 3B

Reserve position players- Ramon Martinez, Vance Wilson, Nook Logan


Rotation

1- Bonderman
2- Maroth
3- Robertson
4- Johnson
5- Ledezma

Closer- Percival

Lefty relief- Jamie Walker
Righty relief- Urbina, Farnsworth, German



That's 22 out of 25 that are now pretty much locks to go north. The rest really depend on if Tram decides to go north with 11 or 12 pitchers.

On the bubble.

Higginson - reserve OF, lefty off the bench
Thames- Reserve OF, big bat off the bench
Jason Smith- reserve IF, lefty off the bench

Doug Creek- 2nd left reliever, good ST, possible long relief?
Gary Knotts- long relief, horrible ST
Steve Colyer- 2nd lefty reliever, horrible ST


If Tram decides to go with 12 pitchers I think Smith, Creek and Knotts stick. Knotts has been horrible this spring and it is unlikey he sticks with the team.

The more realistic and appealing option is to go with 11 pitchers. Release Higgy and take Thames, Smith and Creek north.

Tough decisions ahead for Tram! Especially when Rodney gets healthy.

Of course a trade could still happen but it seems like the Tigers are prepared to go north with this squad.

What do you see happening??

[mcqfesijiba]

The rumors of Urbina getting traded just keep coming. But am I the only one that doesn't want to see him go? He's arguably our best relief pitcher (he at least ranks up there with Percival). Farnsworth and German have bigtime arms, but niether one is Mr. Reliable yet. Fernando Rodney also has a nice arm, but looks like he might not be ready to contribute for much of this season in his return from TJ surgery. Jamie Walker is just a lefty specialist. I hope we keep Urbina, at least for a while until we see what some of our other guys can do.

[Dannomyte]

I'm all for keeping Urbina as long as we stay in contention. If we are out of it by June or July(which I doubt we are) then I think we get what we can for him. The only way we trade him soon is if Rodney gets healthy and we can get a quality starting pitcher for Urbina and change.


Marcus Thames making some more noise today for a roster spot hitting a grand slam HR in the 1st inning.

[Dannomyte]

Bleh Higginson made the team, Thames got sent to Toledo.

[moochman]

Bleh Higginson made the team, Thames got sent to Toledo.

I wonder if Maggs diverticulitis has anything to do with this, or is it an indicator of how well they feel Monroe is taking to CF?

I hate to be a hater, but Higgy being anything close to the best option just shows how pathetic their minor league system still is. Jaunita Gonzalez strains her hammy and the Indians bring up Sizemore, who many feel is a better player at this point in Juanita's career. The Tigers have to keep a slow footed, .240 singles hitting cancer.

[Dannomyte]

Yeah the Tigers farm system is sub-par without a doubt. With only a handful of decent prospects and no top tier prospects on the horizen. Hopefully the hiring of David Chadd will turn things around.


It's been about 3 hours since I hear Higgy made the team over Thames and it still feels like someone kicked me square in the sack!

If Thames hit left handed I bet he makes the team over Higgy. Someone needs to tell Tram that while Higgy swings lefty he has don't much hitting in 3 years!~

[moochman]

If Thames hit left handed I bet he makes the team over Higgy. Someone needs to tell Tram that while Higgy swings lefty he has don't much hitting in 3 years!~

There is no doubt that Thames would be in if he hit lefty. Tram is not a very confident manager. Having no prior experience he is afraid to make a decision that isn't by the book. Higgy hits left handed + we need a left handed bat = Higgy given a spot.

Same thing with the reluctance to start his best pitcher instead of the veteran. Tram takes the safe route instead of seeing that experience only has value if it experience at succeeding.

I can already see Higgy's experience as a left handed bat paying off. Just close your eyes and replay the common voice saying "2-2 pitch...and Higgy takes strike three. Yeah, that pitch fooled him" May substitute "He was looking for a curveball....or...fastball...or...change-up....or...slow pitch soft ball"

Good call, Tigers. Nice to see you're really serious about winning this season.

[cmchampa2]

There may be some teams interested in Higgy, which may be a reason that he was kept on the roster rather than just let go. Just a theory, but maybe the Tigers are showcasing Higgy a little.

If possible, the best case would be that Higgy proves that he still has some value, gets traded for a prospect or two down the line, and by this point Thames and Granderson and perhaps Logan have all gotten some more experience and have proven themselve ready for the big show.

[Dannomyte]

Final 25 man roster for opening day!

Line-up

1- Infante 2B
2- Guillen SS
3- Pudge C
4- Magglio RF
5- Da Meathook DH
6- Rondell LF
7- Pena 1B
8- Monroe CF
9- Inge 3B

Reserve position players

Ramon Martinez ( right handed reserve infielder)
Jason Smith (left handed reserve infielder)
Nook Logan (RH reserve OF, reserve CF)
Bobby "Bong" Higginson (LH reserve OF)
Vance Wilson (reserve catcher)

Rotation

1- Bonderman
2- Maroth
3- Robertson
4- Johnson
5- Ledezma

Closer - Troy Percival

Middle relief pitchers

Jamie Walker (lefty specialist)
Franlyn German (righty)
Kyle Farnsworth (righty, possible 7th inning set-up)
Urbina (righty, 8th inning set-up)
Matt Ginter (righty, long relief/6th starter)