| | ESPN.com
It will take some time to determine whether the Tigers' nine-man trade that landed them outfielder Juan Gonzalez was a good one. But in no time at all, it's easy to characterize the move as a massive gamble on the part of the Tigers.
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TIGERS LOWDOWN |
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|  | | The Tigers can only hope Juan Gonzalez sticks around for the long haul. |
1999: 69-92
Runs: 747, 12th in AL
Allowed: 882, 11th in AL
Key facts
The Tigers were fourth in the AL with 212 home runs but 12th in runs scored because they were last with 458 walks.
Dean Palmer's 38 home runs last year were the most by any AL third baseman.
Deivi Cruz established career highs in home runs (13), RBI (58), hits (147), doubles (35) and runs scored (64) last season.
Tim Kurkjian's scenarios
Best-case: Comerica Park energizes this team, Juan Gonzalez loves it, hits 55 homers, plays hard and signs long-term.
Worst-case: They're still too one-dimensional offensively, the team struggles to finish .500 and Gonzalez decides he wants to play elsewhere.
Prediction: 2nd in AL Central
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Detroit surrendered a starting left-hander in Justin Thompson, an athletic outfielder in Gabe Kapler and a future closer in Francisco Cordero -- and did so without knowing whether Gonzalez will be staying in Detroit past this season.
Gonzalez, a two-time MVP, is a free agent after this season, and while the Tigers have offered a $140 million contract extension in an effort to keep him in Detroit, he's yet to accept the deal.
If nothing else, Gonzalez should give the Tigers a certified gate attraction in their new home, Comerica Park. But unlike its predecessor Tiger Stadium, and in keeping with the trend in newer ballparks, Comerica is said to be more of a pitcher's paradise than a hitter's delight. The deeper alleys and longer dimension could cut into Gonzalez' power numbers.
Detroit doesn't lack for sock. Tony Clark, Dean Palmer, Bobby Higginson and Juan Encarnacion are all capable of hitting the long ball.
But the Tigers are famous for their solo homers, since they finished last in walks and lacked anything close to a leadoff hitter to help set the table at the top of the lineup.
The Tigers' problem has also been pitching, and their inability to develop and keep quality young arms. Former top pick Seth Greisinger has been a bust, Thompson was dealt off, and Jeff Weaver dipped in the second half after a strong start last year.
New manager Phil Garner has the makings of a strong bullpen with Doug Brocail, veteran Todd Jones and young fireballer Matt Anderson, who seems destined for stardom if he can harness his command to go with his fastball, which is frequently clocked at 100 mph or higher.
But the question marks linger for a franchise that has lost 90 or more games in three of the past four seasons and hasn't had a winning season since 1993.
-- Sean McAdam
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Lineup comments and grades from ESPN The Magazine
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Player
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Comment
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Grade
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Luis Polonia, DH
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Learned to hit breaking balls in Mexico, added some muscle, saved career
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C
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Brad Ausmus, C
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Always a fine receiver. Now a tough out since he stopped pulling everything
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B
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B. Higginson, LF
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Should be reaching peak but bat speed has been going downhill for three years
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C
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J. Gonzalez, RF
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No rush to sign a long-term deal. With this outfit, can you blame him?
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A
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Tony Clark, 1B
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Many scouts see a garbage-time star who puffs numbers vs. second-tier pitching
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C
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Dean Palmer, 3B
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Boom! Swish! HRs (38)! K's (153)! Fielding improved from brutal to only bad
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B
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J. Encarnacion, CF
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Sky's-the-limit talent. Only tools missing: patience and concentration
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C
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D. Easley, 2B
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Your basic Tiger: HRs (20), strikeouts (124), .188 with men in scoring position
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C
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Deivi Cruz, SS
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Improvement at plate partly offsets loss of range, speed since 1998 ankle injury
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C
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Pitching comments and grades from ESPN The Magazine
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Pitcher
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Comment
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Grade
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Jeff Weaver, SP
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Stamina, aggressiveness sagged in awful second half. New cut fastball may help
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C
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Dave Mlicki, SP
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How could Dodgers deal this innings-eater for the immortal Robinson Checo?
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C
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Hideo Nomo, SP
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Many clubs passed because of arm's high mileage. Tigers can't be choosy
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C
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Brian Moehler, SP
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Before suspension: 3-3, 4.23. After: 7-13, 5.24. Conclusion: sandpaper works
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D
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M. Anderson, RP
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Sure, 100 mph's sweet. But it doesn't matter without command -- 35 BB/38 IP
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C
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Todd Jones, RP
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New slider helped him bounce back. But as closers go, strikes fear in no hearts
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C
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