MCB staff discusses the first half of Detroit Tigers 2014 season

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Jun 30, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Rajai Davis (20) celebrates after he hits a walk off grand slam in the ninth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Comerica Park. Detroit won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

With the 2014 Detroit Tigers season hitting the pause button for the All-Star break, the Motor City Bengals staff put our heads together and discussed what has gone right, what has gone wrong, who has starred, and who has been the goat through the first half of the season.

Today we look at the first half of the season. Please join us for the second half of our roundtable on Thursday, where we’ll discuss what we think will happen heading into the final 70+ regular season games and (hopefully) into the postseason.

Please click through the slideshow to see what we all have to say.

What has surprised you or has exceeded your expectations about the first half for the Detroit Tigers?

Matt Snyder: Ian Kinsler has been a pleasant surprise. We all knew he was a good player, but there was some question about how his bat would play away from Texas. Just fine, was his answer through an All-Star first half.

Chris Hannum: What has surprised me (in a good way) has been the quality contributions we’re getting from young guys that we hope can be major contributors even after 2015 in Castellanos, Suarez and JD Martinez. Not just that these particular guys are playing a lot and playing well, but that the overall feeling about the team has changed from one with a rapidly closing window into one with more hope for the future.

Michael Emmerich: Victor Martinez, especially his late career power surge. I was one of those worried about the Tigers’ loss of power. But Victor has been a savior (as has that other Martinez). Hopefully Martinez’s current injury doesn’t linger or sap his power.

Grant Stoye: What’s surprised me is how well the Tigers have done despite having a revolving shortstop. Without Iglesias I thought they’d be dead in the water, but they’ve managed to stay at the top of the class despite having several iterations of Joey Bagadonuts manning shortstop.

Tom Zahari: The emergence of J.D. Martinez is the obvious answer, but I will go with Joba Chamberlain’s performance out of the Tigers’ bullpen. Joba has been automatic in the 8th inning this year. Yes, he did struggle in the 9th when he was given a chance during Joe Nathan’s struggles, but Joba and his breaking ball have shut down everyone to the point where he has 16 holds, 39 K’s, an ERA of 2.78 and a WHIP of 1.15. He has held this bullpen together.

Blair Tatrault: The emergence of J.D. Martinez as a force in the line-up. The front office deserves major credit for his acquisition. I’m not sure what the second half holds for Martinez, but if he’s real, watch out. Of course after giving up the most hits in the American League in 2012, Rick Porcello’s first half represents a phenomenal career turn-around.

Matt Pelc: Players that have stepped up that we weren’t counting on heading into this season. Eugenio Suarez has made us forgot about Alex Gonzalez and Andrew Romine (other than his 1-2 starts per week), Nick Castellanos has exceeded expectations both offensively and defensively, J.D. Martinez came out of nowhere to establish a legitimate power threat, and Joba Chamberlain came in with very low expectations and has been lights out this season.

Josh Scramlin: The Tigers offense has exceeded every expectation I had this year. Kinsler, Victor Martinez, and Cabrera are absolutely deadly; and players such as Rajai Davis and JD Martinez, whom are offensively challenged in years past, are hitting like no other. I knew we had a good core offense in our 1-5 hitters, but to see the bottom of the lineup and the top of the lineup perform in harmon is incredible. The 2014 offense has been better than advertised.

Sam O’Toole: Ian Kinsler has definitely exceeded my expectations this season. The Fielder-Kinsler trade looked like a salary dump by the Tigers at the time, but halfway through 2014, it looks like the Tigers were the big winners. Kinsler’s .307 batting average is his highest since 2008, his first All-Star game. The second baseman has become one of the leaders if the Tigers and paces them at the top of the lineup.

Josie Parnell: The new players, specifically Ian Kinsler, Rajai Davis, Joba Chamberlain and, of course, J.D. Martinez. All of then have been at least as good as advertised, and in most cases they’ve been way better. J.D. Martinez will likely cease to produce the way he has been since his call up, but why not ride it ’till the wheels fall off.

Jul 13, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander (35) delivers a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Conversely, what has disappointed you?

Matt Snyder: I thought Brad Ausmus might be a little bit more progressive with his lineup construction and in-game management strategies, but he’s been pretty much by-the-book. Not much of what frustrated us about Jim Leyland has gone away. Case in point: 59% of Don Kelly‘s starts have come in either the five or six slot in the batting order.

Chris Hannum: I’ll go with the lack of trade buzz around the Tigers relief corps to top the list. Combine that with last offseason’s moves and Dombrowski’s decision to go with a decent (but not BA blue chip) prospect from AA at short rather than look outside the organization and you get a general impression that the Tigers are not – at least at this point – willing to do whatever it takes to get a championship. The Tigers are going to do what they can and hope for the best.

Michael Emmerich: Justin Verlander. And Justin Verlander. And him again. He’s been the Tigers’ worst starter. He ranks something like 54 out of 62 qualified starters in the AL in xFIP and SIERA. Frankly, he’s stunk. Short term it’s a problem. Long term it’s a bigger problem. Perhaps he’s still struggling to recover from his surgery, as others in the press have speculated, and next year he comes roaring back. But his loss in velocity is probably here to stay, so he will need to adjust to that reality before returning to the pitcher he was.

Grant Stoye: Torii Hunter‘s drop off and the lack of Andy Dirks. Hunter seems to have gone from chiseled 38-year-old to creaky 57-year-old over the course of one offseason. I can barely watch him in the OF anymore. And I’m still waiting for Dirks to come back and be half of an amazing platoon with Rajai Davis.

Tom Zahari:The baserunning has disappointed me a bit. This isn’t just steals, but sometimes the boneheaded mistakes that are made on the bases at times and it has been attributed to “just being aggressive”. I really thought it would be better.

Blair Tatrault: The bullpen. Every year the Tigers go into the offseason with a need to fortify the pen, but it never seems to get solved. Lock-down bullpens are a thing of beauty–I’ve admired them from afar on other teams and would feel a lot better about the Tigers’ postseason chances if they could assemble the proper pieces here in Detroit.

Matt Pelc: I was thinking the defense would be better. I believe the infield is better, however the outfield is worse than it was last year. Torii Hunter looks completely lost in right field. Even routine outs look like Brennan Boesch has returned. Rajai Davis in left has been okay, J.D. Martinez is average out there, and Austin Jackson has all the tools to be a great centerfielder but is too timid to take that next step.

Josh Scramlin: If I had to pick something to be disappointed in, I would have to say the fact that we traded for Alex Gonzalez, whom is not good at all, and drop him just a few weeks later. It looked like an act of desperation to me. But if you’re going to make a move like that, stand behind it. And on top of that, don’t give up a young player for absolutely nothing. Even if Lombordozzi ended up not being that good, it’d be better than trading for a guy and dropping him less than a month later. It just looked dumb and I know the Tigers are better than that.

Sam O’Toole: Torii Hunter has hit 12 home runs so far for the Tigers, but his overall play–especially his defense–hasn’t quite matched last year for the right fielder. He is a year older, but even some routine fly balls have proven difficult for Hunter. He has a career-low -0.7 WAR in 2014. So essentially, he has hurt the Tigers more than helped.

Josie Parnell: Two names. Joe Nathan. Torii Hunter. Both former Twins have been terrible. Disappointing is an understatement, especially for Nathan, who has just been nothing of what we were expecting.

May 30, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez (41) is greeted by teammates after hitting a three-run home run against the Seattle Mariners during the fifth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Who is your first half MVP for the Detroit Tigers?

Matt Snyder: It’s between Ian Kinsler and Miguel Cabrera, but I’ll go with Cabrera. This has been his “worst” year of the last five seasons yet he finds himself on pace for more than a 6 WAR final mark. 7 WAR isn’t out of reach either if he has a hot second half.

Chris Hannum: First half MVP is Victor Martinez, this is not much of a shot in the dark.

Michael Emmerich: Ian Kinsler. He does almost everything well and when he hits the Tigers win. I didn’t expect him to be on pace to hit 20 home runs, not at his age and in this ballpark. The only hole in his game is his BB%, which is the worst of his career–by a factor of two. That can be a problem when you’re hitting in front of Cabrera and Martinez. But overall he’s been fantastic. He leads the Tigers in WAR.

Grant Stoye: Honestly? JD Martinez. Yes, Victor has been playing out of his mind, and yes, Cabrera could realistically make yet another run at a Triple Crown, but so far JD has been a reclamation project the likes of which are only seen in Toronto. He’s stepped up where a lot of hitters have occasionally punked out.

Tom Zahari: Victor Martinez, Ian Kinsler, and Miguel Cabrera are my top three, and I will give it to Victor. Martinez is having the best season of his career with 21 HR, 55 RBI and a .328/.391/.599 split. He also has 2 steals this season, a career high. His career bests in each of those categories are 25 HR, 114 RBI, and .330/.391/.505. Hopefully he can get healthy soon so he can continue his tear through the American League.

Blair Tatrault: Victor Martinez. He’s been raking since day one and the only thing that’s stopped him is a sore side. His power numbers are beyond impressive, and he’s provided ample protection for Cabrera.

Matt Pelc: With all apologies to Rick Porcello, Victor Martinez, and Ian Kinsler—all very deserving of this honor, I believe it is J.D. Martinez. Once he got hot, the team really started to break out of its 9-20 doldrums. He has provided something we all feared the lineup would lack: power.

Josh Scramlin: A few names really stick out to me here (Kinser, JD, Vmart, Anibal), but in the end it would have to be Victor Martinez. The man has been good all year long and rarely disappoints when at the plate. And while seeing J.D. Martinez revitalize his career and put up so many extra base hits is great, I think Victor takes the cake at the first half MVP. It’ll be interesting to see how his injury is handled and how much time he loses.

Sam O’Toole: J.D. Martinez. His hot bat, along with the other two mainstays in the middle of the order, pulled the Tigers out of the “Zubaz” slump, helping the team regain the AL Central lead. The 26-year-old has the best slash line on the team (.337/..373/.652) and has been getting some recognition over the past couple of weeks. I don’t expect this to continue, but his bat has carried the Tigers lately.

Josie Parnell: Victor Martinez. But it could be any number of players. The younger Martinez could be considered, as could Kinsler. I pick Victor because of the way he stepped up and came through with timely hits when the Tigers’ superstar was struggling. Plus, he’s Victor Martinez.

May 29, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Joe Nathan (36) reacts during the ninth inning against the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum. The Tigers defeated the Athletics 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Who is the most disappointing member of the Tigers through the first half?

Matt Snyder: I’m going to go with Joe Nathan, though there are a few reasonable candidates. After the offseason of trading Doug Fister, letting Joaquin Benoit walk, and signing Nathan, the Tigers were supposed to be gaining a lockdown closer. Fister has been excellent (when healthy) in Washington, Benoit has been outstanding in San Diego, and Nathan has been replacement level in the Detroit bullpen.

Chris Hannum: I figure everyone will be mentioning Joe Nathan, Justin Verlander and Torii Hunter – and all have obviously contributed a lot less than expected – I’ll pick Austin Jackson specifically because I think he has been every bit as disappointing as the other three with last season to suggest something like this might happen. Jackson is in what should be his peak, he’s 27. But… his defense appears to have slipped substantially and he’s slipping in the average/OBP department without showing any increase in power.

Michael Emmerich: Justin Verlander (see my previous answer on this topic).

Grant Stoye: Torii Hunter. His play has been inconsistent at the plate and abysmal in the field, but it’s his struggles that have opened up the way for JD. So, yay?

Tom Zahari: I have been disappointed with Joe Nathan and the regression of Torii Hunter. Nathan has been the opposite of what the Tigers thought they were getting when they signed him in the offseason. He has been better of late, but the Tigers will need him to be a lockdown closer if they are going to win the World Series. Torii Hunter has also been a major disappointment. He has been one of the worst defensive players in all of baseball this season and has the lowest OBP of all of the Tigers everyday players. Hunter could find himself on the bench a lot more when Andy Dirks returns if he doesn’t keep up his hot hitting of late.

Blair Tatrault: Joe Nathan. Ideally the Tigers wouldn’t now be in a position of spending precious resources to support the ninth inning, but that’s where they find themselves. Let’s hope Nathan’s recent tweaking seminar results in a permanent fix, but even if he runs the table through July, there’s enough uncertainty to justify adding at least one big-time guy to the back end of the bullpen.

Matt Pelc: No question, Joe Nathan. The Tigers were so relying on him to be the Joe Nathan that has tormented the team for so long and instead we got Jose Valverde redux. It is shocking to me—shocking how much the Tigers have stuck with him. While the rest of the bullpen has settled down in recent weeks, Nathan still has very hair-raising appearances and the Tigers appear fine with this.

Josh Scramlin: Joe Nathan by far. When the TIgers signed him I thought it was for a bit too much but looking at his track record, it was hard to not be excited. Now we’re halfway through the season and I can only cringe when he is brought in to close. 21 earned runs….closers shouldn’t have 21 earned runs. Closers shouldn’t even have ten earned runs by the time the season is over.

Sam O’Toole: I mentioned Hunter previously, but this one has to be Joe Nathan. In 33 2/3 innings, the Tigers closer has allowed 37 hits, 22 runs, 14 walks and 5 home runs. Not quite the Joe Nathan the Tigers thought they were getting. The whole bullpen has had it’s issues, but Nathan is the leader of the group and has struggled thus far.

Josie Parnell: Again, Joe Nathan, though Torii Hunter is a close second. Not only has Nathan blown more saves so far than he did all of last season, even the saves he’s tallied have often been ugly. Not to mention his obvious frustration with the media. It just hasn’t been good on any level.

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