The Comerica National Park Conundrum

The Avila Era is Over

It's another day has dawned for the Detroit Tigers. A new sherrif has arrived. After seven years of Al Avila's confusing decisions (starting with the signing of Pelfrey, Zimmermann, and Upton — but that's a post for another day). 

It's been 39 seasons since the Tigers were the World Champions. I remember thinking how crazy that was for the Red Wings when they went 42 years, but they finally turned the corner.

The Tigers must finally build the team for Comerica Park. The team plays in one of baseball’s largest parks, so they need to do five (or six) things to compete and finally win a Championship.

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. Riley Greene in center field is a good start.
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 Dombrowski power arm era didn’t lead to a title. Of course, we have continued to use the kid gloves with the non-power pitchers, ahem Casey Mize, and we see how that works.
3. Build a bullpen organically. Find and develop people within the organization who can be relievers and make it work. The current corps is pretty good, so that's one thing that perhaps Avila got right. One is better than nothing, right?
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. With 18" bases, a speedster actually has a bit of an advantage. It would be great to see some fun on the basepaths. Comerica is the new old-Busch Stadium or Astrodome. It is not a power park.
5. Do we already have a manager who can develop a team and is willing to hire teachers as coaches who can build a team for the long run? If we don't, that could be another change. Hey, I hear Tony LaRussa is available again ...
6. The other option, of course, is to remodel Comerica Park and make it at least reasonable for hitters. I'm sure there is data out there, but so many fly balls in CoPa end up in outfielder's mitts that in most other parks would be a souvenir.