Cellar Dwellers

It's been a while since I posted about baseball, and considering my favorite team, the Detroit Tigers, are now currently in last place, perhaps you can understand why. And it wasn't supposed to be this way.

When the Tigers made a series of bold moves over the winter, most specifically the acquisition of Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis from the Marlins for a gaggle of prospects, the Tigers looked like a sure bet to win the division and perhaps more, with a lineup that promised runs by the bushel. The starting rotation looked solid, the only question mark was the bullpen.

Well, the pitching staff ended up being a black hole. Injuries and ineffectiveness ruled, and the Tigers bullpen was a monstrosity, blowing as many saves as it earned. The lineup was pretty good, as Magglio Ordonez and Cabrera have put up good numbers, but Edgar Renteria was a bust and Gary Sheffield seems to have once again worn out a welcome by inconsistency and bizarre behavior.

The team looks like it will have to make a lot of changes next year. Ivan Rodriguez is already gone, and all they got for him was a journeyman relief pitcher, Kyle Farnsworth, who stunk up the joint. I'm not sure Brandon Inge is a long-term solution for behind the plate. They need a new shortshop, and several new starting pitchers, as Kenny Rogers will probably retire, Jeremy Bonderman is coming off an injury, and Justin Verlander was strangely ineffective. The Willis pick up looks to be a complete loss, although only monetarily, if taking him was a prerequisite for getting Cabrera, it was worth it. The bullpen is a shambles. Todd Jones has just announced his retirement, Joel Zumaya could be a lost cause, and Fernando Rodney should be run out of town. The only bright spot on the pitching staff this year was rookie Armando Galarraga.

But there is good news in heading into the post-season for this baseball fan: the Yankees won't be there. After thirteen years, Derek Jeter and company will have nothing to do in October but chase Maxim models. This means the playoffs this year will have no tension for me. The eight teams aren't set yet, but I bear no particular animosity for any of them. I suppose I would be happiest with Tampa Bay winning it all, as I have jumped firmly on their bandwagon. I think the best scenario would be the Rays beating the Cubs in the World Series: a team that is only ten years old beating one that hasn't won in 100 years. That would be fucking hilarious.