Both of my picks for the World Series lost 4 games to 2 in the league championship series. Apparently having the best starting pitching is not enough now a days. In the case of the Dodgers they could not hit and their ace lost twice. In the case of the Tigers, they also could not hit and their bullpen lost the series for them. I still think both teams are set up for the postseason for next few years and given any luck and some work on their rosters, they can win the World Series soon.
The Dodgers don't need much change. If Puig continues to improve and Kemp, Ramirez and Ethier come back healthy next season, they will be the top contenders. Their top 3 starters: Kershaw, Grienke and Ryu are the best in the league. If they get Billingsly and Beckect back next season they are set with the rotation. They also have Carlos Marmol in case. They have a good bullpen if Kenley Jensen is not a one year wonder. They may lose Brian Wilson as the set up man as he has proved that he can be a closer again.
Speaking of Wilson, the Tigers should try to sign him. I think he can be an elite closer again but the Dodgers don't want to pay him top closer salary since they have a younger Jensen. But the Tigers need to bolster the bullpen badly and should try to outbid multiple teams for him. The question I have is Prince Fielder still usable? He hit what, 20 some homeruns this season, way below his average. He was a no show in the postseason. He is a terrible base runner and not just because of his lack of speed. I understand he has a long contract so I don't know what the Tigers can do about him. If Cabrera comes back healthy and Martinez continues to hit, the Tigers still have enough hitting the win the division. Like the Dodgers their top 3 starters are the best in the league so they will be strong contenders again. But they need more bats or speed to help the starting pitchers in the postseason.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
3 comments:
Use the following html code to make a clickable link in your comment (instructions in the sidebar). You can test the link by previewing your comment.
<a href="http://angryyellowman.blogspot.com">Angry Yellow Man</a>
The above example will display as Angry Yellow Man
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Jim Leyland announced today that he will be stepping down as manager of the Tigers. It's been a good run with him and he will be missed as the manager. It's overdue for a change in leadership though and I hope whoever they bring in, will be a good fit with the team.
ReplyDeleteBoth the Tigers and Dodgers were unlucky with all the injuries late in the season. The question remains whether the Tigers will pay Scherzer. I think Ilitch won't have a choice. But then will there be money for the bullpen?
Detroit is stuck with Fielder. I don't know if he's past his prime but it's obvious that the Tigers overpaid for him.
I thought Brian Wilson looked good, but I question if he can go a whole year and if he would want to come to Detroit. I think he fits in better in LA.
-LBOAYM
Jim Leyland did a great job although I would have left Scherzer in those two games. I think you go with your best in a short series longer than during the season. How about Alan Trammel? He would be cheaper than an established manager but is still a big name in the clubhouse.
ReplyDeleteLike I said the Dodgers may not pay Wilson. Of course closers are a crap shoot unless you got Rivera! The Red Sox lucked into the Japanese guy this year! How about the young starter, Alvarez, I think they brought up mid season? Can he relief or be a trade bait?
It doesn't sound like Trammel is on the short list to be interviewed. I don't know if he'll be given a chance considering that he didn't do well the last time around. But who knows. With some more experience now, maybe he would be a better manager. Plus, having the players helps.
ReplyDeleteWay too many names out there right now, so it's almost useless to guess who the next manager will be. There's talk that they will go after Scoscia, since he and the GM of the Angels don't get along. And I only throw that name out there because you are in SoCal.
I don't know what they'll do with Alvarez. He was OK, but not great. Haven't figured out a role for him. He obviously wasn't on the post season roster, so I'm assuming that if he were any good, he would have been on. I'd rather have him than Phil Coke.
-LBOAYM