The Detroit Tigers after 94 Games

July 13, 2008

Before the 2008 season began, Sports Illustrated picked the Detroit Tigers to win the world series. Hopes were very high in motown. Before Christmas, general manger Dave Dombrowski made a blockbuster deal with Florida and got Miguel Cabrera & Dontrelle Willis. Doing so however, meant losing two of their biggest prospects in pitcher Andrew Miller, outfielder Cameron Maybin. The Tigers then signed Cabrera to an eight year deal worth 153 million dollars.

With questions marks still in the Tigers bullpen, most people around the big leagues thought they were a lock to win it all. Imagine the shock and horror facing Tiger fans when the team started the season 0-7. April and May were both plagued with mediocre baseball. The team struggled to find its rhythm until June where they broke out with a 19-8 month. Here is a break down of each month’s win, lose record:

March: 0-1
April: 13-14
May: 10-17
June: 19-8
July 5-7

Which leaves the Tigers 47-47 going into the all star break. This is heart breaking because I know the team could have played so much better.

Jeff’s Midseason Awards

Most Valuable Player – Offensively: Marcus Thames – He hit 17 home runs already, one less then he hit all of last year! He’s been a vital player in clutch situations, and the Tigers would have been much worse without him.
Most Valuable Player – Pitching: Armando Galarraga – He’s 7-3 with a 3.27 ERA. He’s constant and steady. Every time he is on the mound, I feel it’s a game the Tigers can win.
Least Valuable Player - Offensively: Gary Sheffield – Our DH has been hurt, but it’s been a very bad half of the year for Gary. Almost makes me wish they would sign Barry Bonds. Bring the drama, Barry can still mash.
Least Valuable Player - Pitching Staff: Dontrelle Willis – He’s not even on the team anymore, he’s playing for single A in Lakeland. To think we gave up Andrew Miller (who hasn’t set the world on fire in Florida, but still) for him? Yikes!
Biggest Surprise Postive - Thames – He’s been awesome.
Biggest Surprise Negative -Jacque Jones. We trade Omar Infante for him, and now Jones is out of baseball and Imfante is a decent bench player for the Braves.
Work Horse - Miguel Cabrera, playing in all but 3 games.