Monday Morning Manager...Beware the Taxes of April

The more you earn, the less you keep,
And now I lay me down to sleep.
I pray the Lord my soul to take,
If the tax-collector hasn't got it before I wake.
~Ogden Nash

1. Biggest defensive concern: The left side of the IF, especially at SS. I’m beginning to think that those who’ve complained about Michael Young’s arm and lack of range might be on to something.

2. Most pleasant surprise: The starting pitching – even the worst pitching performance (Padilla this past series) was at least adequate – the IF defense and hitting with runners in scoring position is what is killing this team – not the starting/bullpen pitching.

3. I’d platoon at 1B (Broussard vs righties, Botts vs lefties) – I’d play a lot less of Frank Catalanotto and a lot more of Milton Bradley at DH/LF.

4. There are 150 games left in the season for the Tigers – trust me, they aren’t the 2007 Rangers – they’ll right themselves pretty quickly. (Aren’t the Rangers in Detroit next week? The way the Rangers are playing that should be a big help to Detroit).

Let’s remember that the Colorado Rockies were 39-42 on June 1st in 2007 – and wound up in the World Series. The Tigers have the talent – they’ll be back in contention by the time all is said and done – and I hope it’s without Barry Bonds on their roster.

5. I’m very fortunate, I’ve been able to see games at most of the AL ballparks that I’d always wanted to visit – I would like to go to the new ballpark in Detroit – and I’ve never been to California, so I’d like to see the Angels stadium – also interested in seeing the new ballparks in Oakland and Minnesota when they are ready.

http://emcmlb.blogspot.com/

1 - Infield defense. I don't know when I've seen Michael Young miss so many plays.

2 - The starting pitching. The perpetual achilles heel of this team is suddenly its strength. I hope it can hang in there!

3 - Just let Botts see more ABs. He only has 12 on the season so far. This is not a good sample.

4 - They're not finished, and I think they should stay away from signing Bonds too. What will that help?

5 - Even though I get tired of hearing about the teams, I'd like to visit Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park. Obviously, I won't make it to the former. I'm (hopefully) going to Camden this year, so that'll be another I can cross off my list.

http://baseballismyboyfriend.blogspot.com

1. Range on the left side. Michael's arm is okay, his range is not. I don't know what to do with him. Maybe he could slide over to third. Hank is only under contract for this year and one more.

2. The starting pitching. No question. Even with Jennings' rough outings, the total starter's ERA is 3.19. When they elected to use a sixth starter because of the double header, Feldman came up from the farm and gave them a quality start.

3. EMC hit the nail on the head.

4. No and No

5. I detest the Yankees, and to a slightly lesser degree the Red Sox, but for their historical significance I wouldn't be opposed to taking in a game at Fenway or Yankee stadium. It ain't gonna happen, though.

1. My biggest concern is the consistency of the poor defense so far - it is starting to look dangerously like a trend that will be with us a while.

2. The starting pitching in general and Millwood in particular. He has really done a great job so far. David Murphy also continues to impress.

3. Yes, there are changes I would make - that's why this is called Monday Morning Manger, isn't it?

I would use an outfield rotation of Byrd, Hamilton, Murphy and Bradley. The guy not listed would be DFA'd to clear up a roster spot to help give the roster some much-needed flexibility. Let's eat that bad contract like the sunk cost it is and move on. Murphy plays every day if he's healthy.

I wouldn't platoon Botts, I'd give him consistent playing time to see what he's got. He needs to know that he's getting an oppotunity and that includes knowing that he's not going to rot on the bench after striking out in a PH situation. Give him his chance and stick with him. This team continues to be too quick to give up on its players. This used to be a Showalter issue, but 'baseball man' has got the same issue. Are you watching closely, Matt Walbeck? Good.

Speaking of which, Fukumori would still be on my 25, too. I know, he hasn't started well. But given all the things that have changed for that guy (coming from Japan), for him to struggle should not be the least bit surprising. What is suprising is to see the team fail to support him after only THREE appearances. I'm disappointed that Kaz was not given the opportunity to work through his struggles at the major league level. After all, are we going to send MY down to work on his defense? It's silly, and I think sending Fukumori down is silly, too. From now on he'll likely pitch tight, worried that a poor outing will get him sent down again.

4. Detroit will still win the division.

5. I'd like to see Yankee Stadium and Fenway. Probably won't happen for me, either.

6. User feedback on MLB's new webpage format and comment system changes - two thumbs down.

1. I have no problem with the defense. Way too early in the season to see our knee surgeon because of knee jerk reactions. Michael is our hoss. Give him a break!
2. Millwood has been the biggest surprise.
3. Bryd hardly gets on the field if I'm the boss
4. Detroit will be a winner.
5. Yankee Stadium before......the end.

1. the infield defense. been disappointed to see so many errors from a team that is coached by a manager who preaches defense.

2. how can you not say the starting pitchers. so far so good. also with the big ben filling in a void left by tex at 1st. i would say Murphy but i figured this guy would be great and i believe he needs to keep that LF spot.

3. if anything i would platoon byrd with bradley and have botts in the DH spot more often. then give big ben some days off by putting botts in there to stay a little fresh. for some reason i don't think the cat has much left in the tank, so give it to botts who has to prove himself as a major leaguer. i would like to see someone compete with kaz for that bullpen spot because so far in the 1st 2 weeks it's not been very impressive.

4. there is way too much baseball to say that ANY team is finished, especially the Tigers. getting Bonds on their team won't help them at all...other than give them another stranded baserunner, when he gets walked. i would LOVE to see the Royals and Rangers take their respective division.

5. I get to mark Yankee stadium off my list in a month but unfortunately I won't be able to see Fenway which is something I would like to do in the future.

1. My biggest concern on defense is the simple mental mistakes at 4,5, and 6 (Kinsler, Young, and Blaylock. But eternally the Rangers biggest problem is on offense. Mr. Washington has got to do a better job of getting his message across that we are a small ball philosophy club. It doesn't matter a batters SLP is if his BA/RISP is below .250 or OBP is even lower. We have to a better of getting runners from 2d and 3rd base across the plate. Ane trying to be the hero and striking out swinging for the fences ain't getting it done.
2. STARTING PITCHING!!!!!! After what, 4 years of 5.00+ ERA starters, we have the 2nd losest ERA in the AL, or is it MLB?
3.May my sister forgive me, I would send Cat to OKC and let him work his batting out there and bring back Shrek. It's either that or DFA Botts. Actually thats where I'm at right now.
3. times he's been called up and he just can't get the job done on the big league roster.
4. The Tiger will turn and they will be big again, but it will be fun to yank his tail for a bit. Bonds should not only be not be signed, but he should be relegated to baseball's past.
5. New Comisky and Safeco.

Also MY commented on Saturday's that they have to "make more aggressive mistakes." Would somebody explain the difference between a regular mistake and an aggressive mistake? And, isn't the result the same? A runner reaches base , or a scores another unearned run.

1. Everything is the concern. It's like we forget how to play fundamental baseball. Washington was supposed to be good at defense and it seems as if our defense is a lot worse than it was when Buck was the head.

2. Having as much success as we did on the road.

3. Yeah when the game is on the line don't take Broussard out for Botts!!! I understand it was lefty vs lefty but still Broussard has been incredible with bases loaded and that was a bad coaching decision.

4. No and No. The tigers will be though if they don't get bullpen help but my guess is that they will here shortly.

5. The Angels ballpark.

1. The defense issue does seem to be primarily mental, so does RW have the guys overthinking it instead of just catching the ball? 3 of 4 teams in the AL West all have double digit error totals already. The team is right there with the rest of the league for DP's turned as well. Do we need to catch and throw it better, definitely. Do we need extra infield maybe, but I bet a little less "preaching" might be in order too. So, I wouldn't be making defensive changes just yet... One more thing, if we can cut down the walks the unearned runs go with them...only 2 teams have more walks allowed. The defense doesn't have to turn every ground ball into a DP then.

2. Millwood and compadres. Especially Millwood. His last start showed he can shut down a batter when he has to.

3. I'm with Brian on this one. We have way too many 4th OF'ers and DH's on the team. We also need to have someone from the right side in the 4 hole to break up the Left, Left combo of Hamilton and Blalock when there is a LHP on the mound. The way this roster is constructed, Bradley needs to be in the field every day. However his knees don't seem to be able play in the field every day so we need to just let him DH. So, if we are really enamored with keeping all of these similar guy's this is the best I can do to get them all some AB's and hopefully get them all going...

vs rhp:

Kinlser,
Young,
Hamilton,
Bradley DH,
Blalock,
Murphy,
Laird,
Broussard,
Cat


vs lhp:

Kinlser,
Young,
Hamilton,
Bradley DH,
Blalock,
Murphy,
Laird,
Botts,
Byrd

Some of the lineups we have put out ther with a lefty 3 - 6 or 7 just doesn't force the other guy to use his 'pen. I don't think a change in the roster is in order yet although MB on the DL until he is really ready and bringing Cruz or Mench up does make sense to me. We got a projected starting RF that turned out to be a DH.

4. No the Tigers will come around once the weather warms up and I hope they don't decide to get hot when we get to town. No one should sign Bonds. Baseball is moving past that era.

5. Probably Camden Yards just to see if it is really that much better than the Ballpark or just hype. I have no desire to see Yankee Stadium or overpay for Fenway.

1. It was admirable when Young volunteered to go to shortstop, however, he can't play it. He should be the second or third baseman. We need an athletic shortstop who has better range. When Young is dealt he won't be a shortstop he will be returned to second base and or move to third. He got the money he wanted as SS. You have to be strong up the middle. My only concern with all of the defense is that this is what Washingtons strenght was supposed to be. It is what he was bringing to the table. If your so called strengths are weaknesses, then how much more weaker are your weaknesses? Answer enough to get you fired.
2. Millwood has been lights out and he should be 3-0.
3. Play Botts more and Cat less. Why is Cat still here? We need some right handed power. Is Mench really that bad?
4. No its way too early for the Tigers, not too early for us. How long or short is the leash on Washington? How many games does he get this season before he is canned? Do it on NFL draft day and it won't be noticed.
5. Yankee Stadium. I like History.

1. I would also say the left side of the infield, though I think they are adequate for this year...In an ideal world we could move Young to 2B, but I dont see how that's accomplished with the current line up.

2. The most pleasant surprise for me has been Milwood and Padilla.

3. I would only play Catalonotto if someone is hurt. Also, I don't know why Byrd ever plays center field. He has an arm but should basically only DH or play right field. Id like to see Botts get more at bats specifically at DH. Also get Milton Bradley in the line up more...I dont know why we havent seen Murphy in Right, Hamilton in Center and Bradley in Right with Byrd or Botts DH more often.

4. Anyone who would give up on the Tigers right now is crazy. Also why would anyone sign Bonds let alone the Tigers. He is 43 years old, is a divisive figure to players and fans and thinks hes bigger than baseball.

5. I'd like to visit the Ballpark in Arlington during the ALCS.

Just to update everyone:

Kevin Mench currently has the lowest BA of the all the Redhawk players in AAA OKC - he's hitting .179 in 39 AB's (which by the way is the most AB's on the team)

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Kevin%20Mench&pos=&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=407891

and Nelson Cruz in 26 AB's is hitting .346

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Nelson%20Cruz&pos=&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=443558

EMC,
I see your reasoning, but how about Jason Ellison or Brandon Boggs. I just don't trust that 26 AB's is enough of a sample to tell where Cruz is. Brandon (.351/.415/.595) in 37 AB's, or Jason (.295/.404/.432) in 44 AB's, seem like a better sampling to choose from. But the fact remains that Cat/Byrd (sorry for the pun) have got to get there bats going, or they should spend a little time at OKC to work it out.
dwidregod,
I agree with you that MY is getting off to a slow start at ss. But how would you correct the situation. You say he has a week arm for ****, but it is a longer throw to 1B. You say that he is not athletic enough. But Kinsler, who I believe is a more athletic and competitive player, is getting his tail worked off at 2B. So that leaves 1B or a transition to the OF. But you still haven't decided on a replacement at SS. I guess you would put Ramon Vasquez at SS and turn MY into a utility IF. That would be a GIGANTIC waste, of more than just money.
And as for Jason Botts, he has had his chances in the big club, and he has not been able to produce offensively. It is time to cut bait with him and find someone, Boggs or Ellison, that have a future ahead of them.

sorry for the bleep above. It was a typo. it should read " You say he has a weak arm for ****, but it is a longer throw from 3B to 1B."

1. My biggest concern about the defense is Michael Young. He has degraded to the point of a Nomar Garciaparra out there - it's past time for him to be moved off SS.

2. The pitching without that, we'd be just as bad as we where last April.

3. I would DFA Catalanotto, get Botts more playing time, and get Salty up from AAA to replace Laird.

4. The Tigers have no pitching. Signing Barry Bonds would not be the difference-maker for them. They need bullpen and rotation help. Although guess who is subbing for Dontrelle Willis? Armando Gallarraga.

5. Haven't been to the Ballpark in Alrington yet, as I live three states away.

http://lonestarincalifornia.wordpress.com/

1) They look sloppy.....so yes, it's a concern. They aren't crisp, and aren't making some routine plays.

2) That Ben Broussard can hit a little bit, and that, at least in the first week, the starting staff looked pretty good, except for Jennings.

3) Move Josh Hamilton to cleanup. Not hit so many lefties against left-handed pitchers. Keep Cat out of the outfield...DH only. Fukimori was a colossal mistake. I'd check the waiver wire every day to try to help this pitching staff. Please make sure Jason Jennings doesn't start another game. I want Robinson Tejeda!!!!!! By the way, WOULDN'T SAMMY SOSA look pretty good at DH in this popgun offense? Sammy would have 15 RBI's by now....I know we aren't going to win this year, but JEEEEEEZ, Cat, Botts, Byrd, Blalock, etc......are not going to be consistent. Sammy would have at least driven home Byrd from 3rd base last night when he hit a triple to lead off the inning and had NO ONE OUT, and still came up with nothing. WHY did the beleaguered Sammy Sosa choke up on the bat and get the run home, and no one on this team will choke up to make contact to drive the ball and get the run home?
4) The Detroit Tigers are finished, UNLESS they can pull a Colorado Rockies and win 19 of 20 to creep back into this loaded division. No, Bonds shouldn't be signed at all.

5) Since naming rights seemingly change every year or so, I'm just going to give the team name, instead of the particular field.....in order: Seattle, Boston, Toronto. In the National League: Arizona, Houston, Denver.

****The team looks lethargic, sloppy, and inattentive. Otherwise, they are doing fantastic! C'mon Ron.....kick some BUTT! Don't be their friend all the time. Where is Dick Williams and Billy Hunter when you need them?

Never said he had a weak arm, said he didn't have the range to play SS. If he isn't in the right position, he won't get to the hole or up the middle. Mike is my favorite player, he is just playing out of position. Duran is our future at second base if he isn't traded. Young won't be here much longer especially if we totally commit to a true rebuilding youth movement. Andrus is the future SS. It won't be long before he is here. He is tearing it up in Frisco. As of Wednesday night Botts has homer and clutch double. This guy has to get playing time, he is a switch hitter. I think he like most young players just need to relax and let their natural ability take over. He can't do that if he starts 2 games out of 13. What does Washington have against this guy? He has proven all he can at AAA if he is DFA'd, he won't get past waivers. I would rather we give him a full chance to play and let him prove that he can't do it, than to let him go and watch him develop elsewhere. Our starting pitching has been lights out, the defense and baserunning mistakes can't continue. It looks more and more that i am right again. Rangers winning percentage is like .337 for 12 games. Washington is what he is, he regresses in his second season. The manager should be held accountable for the performance of his team eventhough he doesn't field, hit or throw, he should set the tone. Hillman doesn't seem to be having a problem up in KC? I want Hargrove, the quicker we cut the cord on Washington, the shorter the learning curve. I like Washington personally, but he just isn't a manager for a young team. He would do way better with a contending team that was set. WE AREN"T that and won't be for 3 to 5 years, so lets find some long term solutions, players like Botts, Murphy, Hamilton, Gabbard, Mendoza and anyone else that we find this year will be a benefit