Mike Ilitch's spending shows he wants to keep Tigers competitive Options

[superlionsfan]

Bob Wojnowski




Detroit -- The Tigers are still willing to pay -- for the right player at the right price. Mike Ilitch still will gladly peel off the dollar bills, and that remains one of his best traits.

Justin Verlander stood Thursday as smiling proof of the owner's competitiveness, and of the owner's emotional attachment. The 26-year-old ace right-hander signed a five-year, $80 million deal, and along with Miguel Cabrera, gives the Tigers one of the most-expensive tandems in baseball.

It's a heckuva foundation in a city that has seen nothing but cutbacks, in almost every industry. It's Ilitch's strong retort to those who rightly wondered, when Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson were traded, if the Tigers were in fire-sale mode. It's a statement from Verlander that he feels a connection to the town and the team.

All of that is great, it really is. It's also confusing, because for all of the Tigers' long-term investments, they still have significant short-term needs in their everyday lineup. And that's why I think GM Dave Dombrowski isn't done making moves -- and can't be done making moves.



http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2010020...ers-competitive

[nothingface]

I love the direction the team is headed in. The 1, 2, 3, in the rotation is set, and we've got plenty of guys to fight it out for the 4th and 5th spots. If Bondo, Robertson, or Gallaraga have a bounce back year then that's icing on the cake at the end of the rotation. If we can bide our time until Crosby and Turner are ready, then we have a rotation that will rival any in the league.

The Tigs still need to find a future 3B. Maybe with all the payroll falling off next year, they can find a replacement for Inge. Other than that they have prospects at every position, as long as leyland gives the kids a chance.

The 2010 Tigers are going to be a handful. The 2011 Tigers are going to be a power.