It took me years to get back to cheering for the Detroit Tigers, and now they have put me into the same funk that I had after the baseball strike and that terrible year of 2003 when they only won 43 games. Spring training is just around the corner and there is nothing to get excited about in 2010.
I had finally got to the point of loving and caring for these players even though their results did not make it to the playoffs let alone the World Series the past 4 years. They were my team and I lived and died with them. So what do they do? They trade three of everyone's favorites to other teams, for guys we never heard of, or for players we have to learn to care for all over again. Polanco goes to the Phillies, Granderson and Jackson go to the Yankees. Does this make sense?
The Tigers will say it was all in cutting the payroll, but it doesn't look like it. They picked up Johnny Damon from the Yankees to replace Granderson. Both play the outfield, hit lefty, and can lead off. Damon is old (36) and slow on defense. Granderson strikes out a lot. I would have kept Granderson. Especially, since Curtis is young and still developing and may in the future become a great player. He is loved by the fans and did much for the city of Detroit with his many charities. Damon got $7 million a year for two years, and he may not even last a year.
The rookie, Austin Jackson will probably be the main center fielder for this year, and the experts are not really high on him as yet. That puts Damon in left field to replace the only other left hand hitter, Carlos Guillen. Where does he go, back to playing part time?
What a mess.
I cannot see any good in these trades at all. Was the team that far off from having a super season this year? 2010 does not look promising.
Bob
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