Playoff roster

[racosun]

Finally, Tigers fans can discuss whom to keep and whom to leave off of a playoff roster. Using Leyland's proclaimation that he will only bring 11 pitchers into the postseason, who makes it? We know Matt Stairs isn't eligible, which is too bad. He's been good since we picked him up. I guess DD should have listened to tigers527 and traded for him before the deadline. Do we go to the four-man rotation, as well? Most likely, and it'll probably be Rogers, Verlander, Bonderman, then Nasty Nate. That's my guess, anyways. Plenty to be pondered here, though. Since he's eligible, and hasn't really been that bad, do we take Andrew Miller to the playoffs? How about Brent Clevlen? Please feel free to chime in and state your predictions or comments.

[tigers527]

If I knew how many players were on the playoff roster...that would help my guessing??? Here we go....with explanation where I see fit.

P
1 Verlander, 2 Rogers, 3 Bonderman, 4 Robertson, 5 Zumaya, 6 Jones, 7 Rodney, 8 Walker, 9 Grili, 10 Ladezma, 11 Maroth or Miller

That is if what Leyland said about keeping 11 pitchers is correct. I am going left handed heavy, in anticipation of the Yanks. I assume Maroth is going to take the Verlander spot in the rotation, this upcoming KC series, and depending on how he does, decides between him and Miller.

Players
1 Granderson, 2 Polanco, 3 Pudge, 4 Ordonez, 5 Guillen, 6 Casey, 7 Monroe, 8 Thames, 9 Inge

leaving 4-5 spots open (is it a 24 or 25 man playoff roster????) My thinking would be, and I am scared to say it.....10 Infante, 11 PEREZ, 12 Shelton, 13 Wilson, 14 Cleven or Gomez (I am leaning toward Gomez, simply cause of the left handed bat)...My fear that the Tigers are keeping both Infante and Perez, is cause of Guillens' thigh and Polancos shoulder. Hopefully, we won't have to see Perez bat in the 9th inning of a game seven down one (I shudder).

At first Raco, I thought you were just kind of ribbing me a bit, about Stairs....But actually, you're right, them Tigers sure could use his bat. As the team has no leftie pop off the bench or DH. Maybe they could activate DY???? j/k

[HDH]

I suspect Jason Grilli won't make the roster by the way Miller, Maroth, and Ledezma are being worked out; Ramon Santiago is a better choice than Neifi Perez. Just as long as they mesh.

[EvanAparra]

Maroth wont be on it. I saw an article on MLB.com about it.

[racosun]

Here's Jim Leyland's ALDS roster:

Pitchers: Nate Robertson, Justin Verlander, Kenny Rogers, Jeremy Bonderman, Wil Ledezma, Jamie Walker, Jason Grilli, Todd Jones, Zach Miner, Fernando Rodney, Joel Zumaya.

Batters: Ivan Rodriguez, Vance Wilson, Sean Casey, Carlos Guillen, Omar Infante, Brandon Inge, Neifi Perez, Placido Polanco, Ramon Santiago, Alexis Gomez, Curtis Granderson, Craig Monroe, Magglio Ordonez, Marcus Thames.

[PopTop]

Howdy Raco Best of luck to you and your Tigers.

[tigers527]

Here's Jim Leyland's ALDS roster:

Pitchers: Nate Robertson, Justin Verlander, Kenny Rogers, Jeremy Bonderman, Wil Ledezma, Jamie Walker, Jason Grilli, Todd Jones, Zach Miner, Fernando Rodney, Joel Zumaya.

Batters: Ivan Rodriguez, Vance Wilson, Sean Casey, Carlos Guillen, Omar Infante, Brandon Inge, Neifi Perez, Placido Polanco, Ramon Santiago, Alexis Gomez, Curtis Granderson, Craig Monroe, Magglio Ordonez, Marcus Thames.

I have two problems with this roster; 1. Perez over Shelton 2. Minor over Maroth.....First off, if we are indeed seeing either the 14th player or the 11th pitcher on the roster, things are either going really well, or really poorly, so in the long run, what's it matter? The one way it does matter, is showing a little loyality to the people that brought the team there. I might agree with the Minor over Maroth had I felt Maroth was given a fair shot, to make the ALDS roster. He should of been given either the Minor or Bonderman start in those last 2 games, just to see if he had "it" at all, an inning here and there is not fair, IMO. I really feel Shelton is getting a very raw deal and should be included in the post season (afterall without Sheltons April, the Tigers likely aren't in). Not that I would want to see him play, but as an emergancy catcher/ back up 1st baseman (I guess Carlos is the back up 1st baseman?). Would it hurt that much not to have NEIFI FREAKING PEREZ, and show Shelton some love???? Besides, it really seems like the team really likes Chris, judging by their reaction to the interview, post playoff clinching.

[racosun]

I don't like the Alexis Gomez selection either. Brent Clevlen will hit just as well, but is so far a great defender with good speed and a great arm. I know, he was in AA for most of the year, but it's just my opinion that he's already a better baseball player than Gomez, and could have contributed more to the team when it matters most.

[tigers527]

I don't like the Alexis Gomez selection either. Brent Clevlen will hit just as well, but is so far a great defender with good speed and a great arm. I know, he was in AA for most of the year, but it's just my opinion that he's already a better baseball player than Gomez, and could have contributed more to the team when it matters most.

Gomez over Clevlen is just a leftie bat off the bench thing...That one I actually, understand and agree with.

[racosun]

Since he's eligible, and hasn't really been that bad, do we take Andrew Miller to the playoffs?

I hate to quote myself, but there is some news regarding Andrew Miller. Leyland said there is a chance he could be added to the World Series roster, depending on who we end up playing. I think if the Mets win game 7 of the NLCS, Miller is in, as NY is bad against lefties moreso than St. Louis. Miller has been working with the Tigers instructional league during his time away from the Tigers, and could be better prepared to face MLB hitters. Sure, he's really young, but he's another near-100mph guy out of the 'pen, and a lefty at that. He could be a very useable arm for the big series.

Also, Sean Casey should be ready for game 1, and its unlikely that Shelton will be added. I'd like to see Shelton added, just in case, but in order to do that I think the Tigers would have to take Casey off the roster. Since he's close to being ready to play, that won't happen. The Tigers want to bring as many utility-type guys to the series as possible, since they may come in handy when we have to play by the National League rules.

[Ebbetts Field 1938]

they got luckey, the tigers will choke

[PopTop]

they got luckey, the tigers will choke

Bet they last longer in the Series than you did on this board

[racosun]

they got luckey, the tigers will choke

Welcome back, Donald! Not a very good disguise, though.

[EvanAparra]

Welcome back, Donald! Not a very good disguise, though.

Hahaha i never even thought about that, good call racosun

[skeletor]

I hate to quote myself, but there is some news regarding Andrew Miller. Leyland said there is a chance he could be added to the World Series roster, depending on who we end up playing. I think if the Mets win game 7 of the NLCS, Miller is in, as NY is bad against lefties moreso than St. Louis. Miller has been working with the Tigers instructional league during his time away from the Tigers, and could be better prepared to face MLB hitters. Sure, he's really young, but he's another near-100mph guy out of the 'pen, and a lefty at that. He could be a very useable arm for the big series.

Also, Sean Casey should be ready for game 1, and its unlikely that Shelton will be added. I'd like to see Shelton added, just in case, but in order to do that I think the Tigers would have to take Casey off the roster. Since he's close to being ready to play, that won't happen. The Tigers want to bring as many utility-type guys to the series as possible, since they may come in handy when we have to play by the National League rules.

With the Mets being deleted from the series, and the Cards going against
the Tigers, I wonder if DD & Leyland are still considering adding that young
pup Miller ? I know that the Mets were worst against lefties, but with
them gone, I wonder if the Cards are any better ? You can never have enough good pitching..especially lefties, and ones that throw SMOKE !

As for Shelton, doesn't look good for him being added...as I swear he seems to be in Leylands doghouse...for whatever reasons...gotta be more than that
lingering slump....and he really didn't get a chance after he returned from
exile in Toledo, to break outta it...I'm wondering if He is done with the
Tigers, and off season, will be packaged in some sort of Deal..as at this
point, I'm afraid he's done in Detroit..sorta like Carlos Pena..Only Chris
still has far better potential...long term...wonder if we will deal him back
to the Pirates..or Boston...I can't see us resigning Sean Casey...too injury
prone for my tastes..and not much power...can we afford to have a 1st
sacker with limited clout ?

as for maroth, he's probably gone as well after the season..a victim of
a decent bumper crop of arms for the Tigers....

[Dalkowski110]

Speaking of which...Mike Maroth gone after the season, that is, when does his contract expire? The Mets will be looking for good pitching, and Maroth certainly fits the mould. If he's a FA, then the Mets should go after him. If he's not, then how would a Shawn Green and Jamar Hill deal sound for Maroth and maybe a AAA outfielder? Green just had a very good post-season, but he's not the main man in this deal. Jamar Hill is extremely promising (look up their stats on minorleaguebaseball.com), but has his way blocked by Endy Chavez, Carlos Beltran, and Lastings Milledge. Hill, who I think the Mets will be more willing to give up, has both power and speed. He strikes out a lot, but hit 6 homers in 251 at-bats this past year. He spent the first half of the season on the DL, but has fully recovered. He also has some speed. He seems to be similar to Endy Chavez, but with a lot more power and a little less speed. Is a very good DH/OF. Omar Minaya tends to stick with his Latin ballplayers first, so I'd be very surprised to see Carlos Gomez traded over Hill. I think the National League and Rick Peterson would benefit Maroth, as his ERA was improving and probably will continue to improve. Besides, the Mets want a left-handed starter, and somehow, Oliver Perez is probably not going to be that guy. Randy Wolf is still a gamble, considering he's a free agent.