Can the Motor City Get Back into the World Series? Detroit Tigers 2007 Season Preview

The Motor City was in a celebratory, party-like mood as the Detroit Tigers were in the World Series for the first time since 1984. After an amazing wave of momentum going into it, they lost to the St. Louis Cardinals who’d limped their way to finish the regular season. Although the team lost the AL Central title on the last day to the Minnesota Twins; nevertheless, they got into the playoffs via the wild, they dismantled the Yankees and the Athletics on an impressive playoff run.

Having been to Detroit a few times, I know the city loves their sports teams and 2006 was a magical year for the city. The Tigers and their spirit woke up a city that in the eyes of many was dead & like the team last year; the city is on the upswing.

Under the guidance of the grizzled, yet passionate Jim Leyland, the Detroit Tigers were the surprise team in all of sports and the feel good story of all baseball. Now, after their amazing 2006, the Tigers need to prove the baseball world that their past season was not a fluke heading into 2007.

After the amazing success of 2006, the fans returned to a franchise that was moribund, are now backing itching for more. This offseason, GM Dave Dumbrowski ushered in a few more changes. The Tigers lost pitcher Jamie Walker to free agency and traded Humberto Sanchez, but added Gary Sheffield, Edward Campusano along with Jose Mesa.

For the most part, the team that led the Tigers on their magical run to the World Series will return. Armed with incredible starting pitching and an offense that was potent, but at times undisciplined at the plate & free swinging, the city will expect bigger and better from the Tigers this upcoming season.

The pitching rotation in 2007 is very much in the same as it was last season with Justin Verlander, Nate Robertson, Jeremy Bonderman, Kenny Rogers & Mike Maroth returning from an injury-riddled 2006. Although the young starters Verlander, Bonderman, and Robertson were not dominant at all in the World Series, they impressed the baseball world with their pitching. Even though the young trio faltered somewhat towards the end of 2006, 2007 should bring a lot of promise and improvement. Verlander won 17 games en route to the Rookie of the Year Award, and the Tigers are hoping he does not regress at all. Bonderman won 14 games and also should be a candidate to stay at the same level or improve. Robertson was 13-13 with a 3.84 ERA, but he’s got the makeup and araensl to improve on his 2006.

Kenny Rogers dominated opposing lineups in the playoffs, and even though the pine-tar thumb incident was a focus, his ability to mix the changeup and curveball up was an arsenal that few in the league could master. He’ll be 42 when 2007 begins, but he was 17-8 with a 3.84 ERA. Even though there’s a chance age may catch up to him, it’s not likely for now, after what he displayed in the playoffs.

The wild card in the pitching rotation is Mike Maroth. He once lost 20 games in a season, but yet worked his way to a 14-14 record a 4.74 ERA, and he started off 5-2 until he sat out the rest of the year with bone chips in his elbow. He should be healthy for 2006, and if he can build upon his 2005 and 2006 campaign, the Tigers should be in excellent shape for the upcoming season with their pitching.

The Tiger bullpen was a source of strength in 2006 with amazing performances from their staff, and 2007 should provide more of the same. Jones ended up with 37 saves, a 3.94 ERA and only 24 strikeouts. The big question will is since Jones will once again be the closer, at 39, could he still be effective? The bullpen will be stacked with fireballer Joel Zumaya who wowed with his 100 mph plus fastball, 1.94 ERA with 97 strikeouts in 83 innings pitched, Fernando Rodney, Wil Ledemza, and newly acquired Jose Mesa, Felix Heredia and Edward Campusano.

Let’s go to the batting lineup. Although Detroit showed a lot of power and were in the league in batting average, the Tigers were free swinging, not drawing many walks at all. With exception of Gary Sheffield, the lineup is pretty much the same from last year.

The newest addition to the team, Gary Sheffield, should help out the team tremendously. He might be the DH or might play some outfield, and he’s a patient hitter with a super quick bat and has always hit for average and power. However, he’s 38, coming off a wrist injury and always seemingly controversial, but his career numbers speaks for itself. If he doesn’t have any residual effects from his injury, Sheffield should only make the Tigers more dangerous and might also help to influence the young players on the team.

Curtis Granderson, the leadoff hitter and a highly athletic centerfielder who batted .260, but hit 19 homers and drove in 68 runs. He drew quite a bit of walks, but his OBP of .335 was middle of the road in the league, and will need to be better in terms of discipline from the leadoff spot.

One the key players who helped the Tigers in ‘06 was outfielder Magglio Ordonez. He hit .298 and drove in 104. He was signed in 2005 to a long term contract even though he came off a major injury and produced last season. The Tigers hope he can avoid the injury bug in ’07.

The other outfielder starting on an everyday basis will be Craig Monroe who batted .255 and slumped in September, but hit 28 homers & drove in 92. However, he only walked 37 times and struck out 16 times and will need to be more disciplined at the plate for next season. On the bench will be Marcus Thames, who will platoon quite a bit as he hit 26 homers and drove in 60, along with Brent Clevlen.

The infield is unchanged from 2006. At first base will be Sean Casey who was one of the few bright spots in the World Series, as he returns for one year. Although he only hit .272 as Tiger, he may be a candidate to improve as he batted over .300 in both 2004 and 2005. He’s always had a good batting eye, and although his power numbers have dipped, he’s always managed to hit for average and draw a good on-base percentage. At second base will be Placido Polanco who missed time with injury, but batted .295 and played a solid second base. At shortstop will be Carlos Guillen who had an impressive year where he hit .320 and hit 19 homers and 85 RBI and should remain consistent at the plate; however, his downside is that he made 28 errors at shortstop, and his defensive will need to improve.

Brandon Inge will play third base and recently was given a four year extension. He hit 27 homers along with 83 RBIs, although he only hit .253. He’s the wild card in an infield which hits relatively well for average, as he’ll need to be more disciplined at the plate – which seems to be a common theme for the Tigers.

On the bench for the infield will be Omar Infante who can play all the infield positions, Neifi Perez, and first baseman Chris Shelton.

At catcher will be longtime veteran Ivan Rodiguez. A future Hall of Famer, his numbers last year were consistent with his career marks. He hit .300 with 13 home runs, drove in 69, and with his experience along with intangibles, he’s no doubt one of the leaders on the young Detroit Tigers. His only downside is that he only drew 26 walks, but his aggressiveness and play led the Tigers, and although he’ll be 36 next season, he should be productive for many more years. Backing up Rodriguez will be Vance Wilson.

In the end, as seen in the past several years, getting back into the World Series will be a hard test for the Detroit Tigers. In 2007, the AL Central will be stacked with the Chicago White Sox, Minnesota Twins and perhaps the resurgent Cleveland Indians battle for supremacy of the American League Central. The upstart Tigers captivated the nation with their feel-good story, and perhaps once again they could do the same in 2007. With their pitching, the Tigers should do well in the spring and beyond unless there's a regression with the young players.

Time will only tell if GM Dave Dumbrowski and the team under the tutelage Jim Leyland can get the Detroit Tigers into the World Series again.