All Star Snub

The 2017 All Star Game selections were announced yesterday with a very surprising omission, Alex Avila. Not only was he not one of the two catchers selected for the American League, he wasn't even considered in the final fan voting. Alex Avila leads A.L. catchers in all meaningful statistical categories. Whether it be OBP, SLG, WRC+, or WAR. To me, this is the biggest mistake the voters/players made on an otherwise great roster.

Sell, Sell, Sell.

With the trade deadline no more than 30 days away the Tigers are sitting at seven games below .500. With impending free agents such as J.D. Martinez, Alex Avila, and Justin Upton (can opt out of current deal) ready to hit free agency, the Tigers need to sell. The team was in a slightly similar situation in 2015 when they decided to trade Yoenis Cespedes and David Price. In those deals, the team got two starters for the foreseeable future, Fulmer and Norris. Now with so many teams within games of the second wild card spot, The Tigers could really cash in on impending free agents or other valuable commodities. Any player over 25 should be considered tradeable for the right price.

Miguel Cabrera's Injury

Tigers fans everywhere, right now.

So, Miguel Cabrera is out six weeks with a calf strain, where exactly does this leave the Tigers? Well some on Twitter have suggested that the Tigers can "tread water" for six weeks until his return, me I don't see it. With Cabrera this year the Tigers are a .500 team, now they lose their best player, they simply cannot "tread water". Cabrera leads the team in avg, obp, slg, wrc+ and WAR, you're not making the postseason with him missing six weeks, not happening. So I have a few ideas to help set the Tigers up for success in 2016 and beyond. The Tigers weren't going to re-sign David Price after this season, most likely, so why not trade him? There will be a bevy of teams willing to give up young, controllable talent for a pitcher like Price. The Tigers should hold out for the best deal and pull the trigger. There will be a huge amount of free agent starting pitchers after this season, take a look at the list.

Look at all the available pitchers, the Tigers could really do a lot of good by trading Price and building the starting rotation through free agency. The Tigers could also trade Yoenis Cespedes whose contract also expires at the end of the season and give everyday playing time to Tyler Collins who has been very good when he's played this year. The Mets sure would love to have a bat like his and they too, have young talent. All I'm saying is, is the Tigers have been mediocre at best with their best player, now without him, it isn't going to get better.

Dave Dombrowski's Draft History

David Dombrowski has been the Detroit Tigers general manager since six games into the 2002 season. In this post I will focus on the Tigers first draft selection from each of the 2002-2011 season to see how well he has done.

2002

Scott Moore SS

Round : 1 Pick : 8

Cypress High School (CA)

Dave Dombrowski's first draft pick as general manager of the Detroit Tigers was Scott Moore a shortstop out of California. Drafted ahead of the likes of Cole Hamels, Prince Fielder and Zack Greinke.  He was traded in 2005 as part of a package that helped land Kyle Farnsworth. Moore made his big league debut as a Chicago Cub on September 4, 2006. Moore never stuck in the big leagues for more than a handful of games at a time.

Career : -0.8 WAR

Update : Played for the Cardinals in their minor league system in 2015, before being released.

2003

Kyle Sleeth SP

Round : 1 Pick : 3

Wake Forest

Kyle Sleeth's career was one hampered by injuries. He underwent tommy john surgery and never appeared in a major league game.

Career : 6.30 ERA

Update : Retired in 2008

2004

Justin Verlander SP

Round : 1 Pick : 2

Old Dominion University

The best pick of the Dombrowski era is easily Justin Verlander. Verlander won the rookie of the year award in 2006 and the CY Young award along with the MVP award in 2011. He tossed his first of two no-hitters in 2007 against the Brewers and in 2011, the other against the Blue Jays.

Career : 41.8 WAR

Update : Made his 2015 debut last week after starting the season on the disabled list. Looking to bounce back on a horrible 2014 season.

2005

Cameron Maybin OF 

Round : 1 Pick : 10

TC Roberson High School 

Maybin made his major league debut as a 20 year old for the Tigers in 2007. On December 5, 2007 he was one of the main prospects in a deal to the Florida Marlins that landed Miguel Cabrera. Due to injuries he has only played two full seasons to date.

Career : 9.5 WAR

Update : Traded to the Braves right before the 2015 season began.

2006

Andrew Miller SP

Round : 1 Pick : 6

University of North Carolina

Signed on August 4, 2006 Miller made three minor league starts before being called up to make his major league debut 24 days later on August 30, 2006. Miller's time with the Tigers was short lived as he too was also part of the package dealt to the Marlins in exchange for Miguel Cabrera. His career didn't take off until the Red Sox moved him to the bullpen during the 2012 season.

Career : 1.2 WAR

Update : After signing a 4 year 36 million dollar deal with the Yankees this off-season, Miller was off to a terrific start with an ERA of 1.03 and an ERA+ of 385 before landing on the disabled list. 

2007

Rick Porcello SP

Round : 1 Pick : 27

Seton Hall Preparatory School

Rick Porcello, ranked pre-draft as the #1 high school pitching prospect, but fell to the Tigers at #27. He moved quick through the minor leagues and began the 2009 season as the Tigers fifth starter. He would finish the year 3rd in A.L. Rookie of the Year voting. As a Tiger he only had an ERA under 4.00 twice. On December 11th, 2014 he was traded to the Red Sox in exachange for Yoenis Cespedes and Alex Wilson.

Career : 10.7 WAR

Update : He signed an extension with the Sox worth $82.5 million over 4 years. His ERA this year is 5.29.

2008

Ryan Perry RP

Round : 1 Pick : 21

University of Arizona

Ryan Perry made the 2009 opening day roster pitching out of the bullpen, 2009 would prove to be his best season. In 2010 his strikeout rate plummeted and in 2011 he was traded to the Washington Nationals for Collin Balester.

Career : 0.2 WAR

Update : Before the 2015 season he was signed to a minor league deal by the Detroit Tigers, where in AAA his ERA was north of 12. He has since been released.

2009

Jacob Turner SP

Round : 1 Pick : 9

Westminster Christian Academy

Jacob Turner was once a highly thought of prospect, he made his debut with the Tigers in 2011. Prior to the trading deadline in 2012 he was part of the package traded to the Marlins in exchange for Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante. He had a decent 2013 with the Marlins, but was released during the 2014 season.

Career : -0.5 WAR

Update : Picked up by the Cubs, he finished the 2014 season with a 6.49 ERA. He began 2015 on the disabled list and is currently on a rehab assignment. 

2010

Nick Castellanos 3B

Round : 1 Pick : 44

Archbishop McCarthy High School

Nick Castellanos's rookie season of 2014 saw him struggle at the plate and look lost defensively at third base. 

Career : -1.9 WAR

Update : Although his defense has improved in 2015 to average, some wonder if he's a major league hitter. He's only slugging .339 and has an OPS+ of 69.

2011

James McCann C

Round : 2 Pick : 76

University of Arkansas

The Tigers without a first round selection in 2011 took catcher James McCann with their first pick. He began the 2015 season as the back-up to Alex Avila but was thrown into the starting role when Avila landed on the disabled list. McCann is an above average defensive catcher but will need to improve offensively.

Career : 0.2 WAR