It’s WAY early to do this, especially with the season done for only 12 hours, but what to do with next years roster. My thoughts and opinions below:
C: Laird, Avila: This position seems pretty set. I believe Laird is arbitration eligible, I assume we offer it to him. He will likely get a small raise from 2.8M. His defense and handling of the pitchers is money, hopefully his hitting can make a small step forward. I look for about 100 games out of Laird and 60 out of Avila next year.
1B: Miggy - No way do I think they should try to trade him, unless he has another “incident”. He is a franchise player.
2B: Sizemore, Santiago - You have to move on somewhere, and save some money. Polanco only makes 4.6M, but he will likely command a nice raise. Sizemore looked ready in the minors from what I read, and I think you go with him here. Combined minor league numbers between Erie and Toledo of .308, 17 HR, 21 SB, 4 CS. HUGE mistake to not bring him up for this late season push with all of the call-ups. HUGE!!! Keep Santiago and you have an insurance policy.
SS: TBD - I think what they do at 2B will influence what happens at SS. If Polanco goes, I think they make a push to keep Everett for defensive purposes. His defense was down this year, but you could tell that the ability is there. I think his presence there is calming to the pitcher as well. I’ve heard things about Scutaro, but it’s a bit too early to project free agent targets. Dlugach is another possibility. Again, I would have liked a bit of a look at him. He is rated a good defensive SS, with a bit of pop (9 HR’s in 125 games in Toledo). No chance they go with both Sizemore and Dlugach though….it would remind us of the glory days of Santiago and Infante at SS and 2B.
3B: Inge – 2010 is the last year on his contract and he has to go into the year as the starter. It’s hard to say which Inge is for real, the first half version, or the second half version. I’m inclined to think something somewhere in-between, as he was battling the knee for much of the second half. After 2010 we can decide where we want to go, but with his power/defense combo, he would fetch a premium as a FA (probably more than the 6.6M he will get next year.
Other IF’s – If Raburn doesn’t start in LF, he can play some infield. Other than that, I’m not sure what we do. There has to be some Dominican defensive whiz we can bring in.
CF: Granderson – His fly ball % went through the roof, making it imperative that he moves down in the order. We have to find someone who can bat leadoff either via FA or the farm club….maybe Sizemore, though leading off and starting at 2B as a rookie might be a bit too much to bite off).
RF: Maggs – I think he has another vesting option for 2011. Not sure what the requirements are. If he hits like he did in the 2nd half it’s a no-brainer. He might be a candidate for the #2 spot in the order. DH would fit him better, but not possible with Guillen on the books through 2011.
LF: Raburn –Raburn deserves a shot, but his glove work HAS to improve. You have to jettison Thames.
Other OF’s: Clete - I think he’s proven he’s not an everyday player. Good defensive replacement, spot starts. That’s it though.
Ramirez – Would like to see him get more of a look next year, maybe a longshot LF possibility.
DH: Guillen – Kind of a no-brainer, though not thrilled about it. Handcuffed by contracts forces this.
SP1 – Verlander – enough said
SP2 – Porcello – His stretch performance this year was awesome.
SP3 – Jackson – Torn between trying to save some money now and extending him, or risking another year and him building on this year. I lean towards signing him though, as a lot of contracts come off the books at the end of 2010.
SP4 ,SP5: Don’t resign Washburn….please. These 2 SP’s will come from the group of Robertson, Galarraga, Bonderman, Willis (right), or Zumaya (doubtful). Maybe they find a bargain SP5 in FA.
Bullpen – Closer: Don’t resign Rodney. Lyon is a FA. I don’t mind giving him a shot at closer, or it can be filled by Perry (Street closed right away) or Zumaya. Don’t rule out Bonderman here too, though if he does that we are woefully short at SP.
Late inning bullpen roles: The loser of the closer battle, followed by LH specialists Ni and Seay, alongh with Dolsi, or any other minor league guy that comes up, along with any starter who loses the job. Miner also can be a short man, or a long relief guy, with Bonine (barf) as another long relief option along with Galarraga if he isn’t starting.
There, I have re-constructed the 2010 Tigers, with many of the same components, infused some youth into the roster, and most importantly kept the payroll at or below what they are at now (except for raises likely due a few players).
