ICYMI: MCB Digest–Detroit Tigers Week That Was

Feb 27, 2014; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop

(1) throws to first base during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Next up, Tom Zahari didn’t exactly help you through the Monday blahs by posing the question, “What if Jose Iglesias isn’t ready?”

Jose Iglesias is an unknown for the Detroit Tigers entering 2015

"On July 30, 2013, the Detroit Tigers traded for Jose Iglesias as a part of a 3 team deal. Iglesias was deemed the Tigers’ shortstop for the future with a reputation as a defensive wizard of the likes of Omar Vizquel and Ozzie Smith. At the plate, Iglesias was billed as a gritty player who could leg out infield hits with the best, but his glove was his strong suit. Iglesias lived up to his billing with plays like these and more. Iglesias was gritty at the plate in his 46 games with the Tigers with a .259/.306/.654 stat line which is around what the Tigers should get from Iglesias. His BABIP was .414 in the first half of the year which explained his numbers with Boston and ended the year with a .356 BABIP. To put that in perspective, only 6 players had a BABIP of .356 or more in all of baseball in 2014. 2014 was a lost season for Iglesias with shin injuries, but the Tigers believe Iglesias is healthy now and will the starting shortstop in 2015. The question is what exactly is healthy for Iglesias? Will he be the same player the Tigers traded for at the trade deadline in 2013 or will he be a half a step slower? Will he be able to leg out the infield hits like he did in 2013? (FanGraphs says he had 16 IFH in 2013, I remember more.) Will he still have the range he had in 2013 which helped him gain the status as an extraordinary fielder? READ MORE"

Mr. Tiger, Al Kaline turned the Big 8-0 on Friday. Dan Byrne devoted his Tuesday article to talk about the impact of Kaline on one Tiger fan.

Al Kaline, Mr. Tiger. Happy Birthday!

"Al Kaline….80 years old. Unbelievable! But, then again, Al Kaline has had an unbelievable life. It couldn’t have happened to a better person. Al Kaline has been my hero since the days I sat with Grandpa at a squeaky Grundig table radio. We listened to Van Patrick, George Kell and the legendary Ernie Harwell, all unable to conceal their enthusiasm for the laser-guided rocket arm and sweet swing of the youngest player to EVER win a major league batting championship. How could they help it? The young Tiger phenom moved on from humble beginnings in life, and on the ball field, to epitomize Detroit Tiger Baseball and later become a first year select Hall of Famer in 1980. READ MORE"

Follow the jump for a HOF case made for Alan Trammell and James Shields in a Tigers’ uniform.