Harkening … Back to the Future

Proposing a Future from the Past 

The gist of this was written in 2017 after the Tigers jettisoned Brad Ausmus. I've updated it with some "current realities." The Tigers have to build the team for the stadium. The team plays in one of baseball’s largest parks, so they need to do five things to compete and finally win a Championship. 

This photo is from my Grandpa Morgan's collection. Now, that was a different era for baseball!

Proposal #1 — Build an outfield that has speed and can chase the ball down. The new era of Tigers baseball has to focus on defense. A defensive team in Comerica Park makes more sense than a power team. While you’re at it, build a defensive infield, as well. Defense will win a Championship. 

Current Status #1 — The Tigers have drafted for pitching more or less. They do have a couple of bats coming, but there is no evidence that the team is being built with an eye on defense. Victor Reyes and Jacoby Jones may be go–getters, but Christian Stewart is not. Remember those old Blue Jays outfields from the ‘80s … that’s the kind of defense needed in CoPa. 

Proposal #2 — Don’t focus only on a pitching staff with the so-called “power arms.” Build a pitching staff that will keep opponents off balanced in a three-game series. Focus on quality pitchers who can win games. The Dave Dombrowski power arm era never lead to a World Championship (well, in Detroit, anyway).

Current Status #2 — It looks like the Tigers have shifted and are drafting quality personalities with quality arms, but not necessarily all “power arms.” The future of the pitching staff looks quite promising. In two or three years, the Tigers might have the best staff in baseball again. 

Proposal #3 — Build a bullpen organically. Find and develop people within the organization who can be relievers and make it work. They did it with Drew Smyly and can do it with others. 

Current Status #3 — I believe that the new pitching coach, Chris Fetter, and his team of coaches will do just this and build a bullpen from within. The one thing that Jim Leyland and his coaches never fully developed was a kick–butt bullpen. The Bengals did have a great bullpen in ‘06, but it never really got back to that status after Joel Zumaya played the video games. 

Proposal #4 — Harken back to the ‘80s and swipe bases. Make this team different from all others and exploit the stadium. Build a team that can run, run, run and keep opposing defenses completely off balance. Make the other teams make mistakes. 

Current Status #4 — With A.J. Hinch as the manager, this team will probably rely on sabermetrics much more than any previous Tigers team. But, I could also see taking advantage of the largeness of CoPa and employing some base stealers. We will see. But it would be fun! 

Proposal #5  — Hire a manager who can develop a team and is willing to hire teachers as coaches who can build a team for the long run.

Current Status #5 — With A.J. Hinch, they did that. When they hired Ron Gardenhire in 2017, that was considered part of the process, but it never fully materialized. The Tigers are in a good spot with Hinch running the team. He has put together a solid group of coaches who should impact the product we see on the field. I believe we will see a disciplined team who plays fundamentally sound baseball with a pitching staff that rocks! 

Let’s hope the Tigers can turn it around. Right now, they have the worst record in baseball.