ICYMI: MCB Digest–Detroit Tigers Week That Was

The Detroit Tigers had a relatively quiet week following the big trades at the close of the Winter Meetings last Friday.

More from Motor City Bengals

• Detroit Tigers: Victor Reyes finding ways to get the job done
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• Detroit Tigers: Garrett Hill’s new role and changed delivery are excellent
• Detroit Tigers: Joe Jiménez has rebounded in 2022
• Detroit Tigers: Is it finally time to move the fences in at Comerica Park?

The talented writers of Motor City Bengals were able to spread our wings and get creative this week with the lack of news and also digest and analyze the future of the club after the moves from last week.

Below in the following slideshow we present the “Best of” from MCB for this past week just in case you missed anything.

Happy Saturday and happy reading.

First up, one of our newest writers, Zane Stalberg looked at the emerging rivals within the AL Central and what that means for the Detroit Tigers. Though everyone has seemingly gotten better in the division, Zane feels the Tigers shouldn’t fear them. At least not yet.

Detroit Tigers Shouldn’t Fear AL Central Foes Just Yet

The Detroit Tigers have reigned supreme in the AL Central for four consecutive years, which represents one of the most successful periods in the long history of the franchise. But, after the Tigers were treated to a rude awakening at the hands of the Baltimore Orioles in the 2014 playoffs, there is widespread unrest in Motown. The 2015 offseason has been dominated by a plea for bullpen help and an ongoing conversation in regards to how long this team’s window for a championship remains open. However, despite several high-profile moves by the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox, the Tigers should still be considered the cream of the crop in the AL Central. In the wake of a busy night on the South Side of Chicago, which netted the White Sox both Jeff Samardzija and David Robertson, the tension in Detroit began to reach an apex. Many in baseball have already crowned the White Sox as the successor to the AL Central throne, and even more around the league acknowledge that the Indians, including newly acquired Tiger killer Brandon Moss, will pose a threat as well. But the time for panic isn’t now. Next year is shrouded in intrigue, with the impending free agency of not only David Price, but Yoenis Cespedes, and Alfredo Simon as well. At the end of 2015-16, however, the path to the AL Central crown will still run through Comerica Park. READ MORE

Follow the jump for features on Jose Iglesias and Al Kaline….

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.

Credit: Tom Hagerty, Flickr Creative Commons http://bit.ly/139TKvk

I tackled the seemingly losing battle of Alan Trammell belonging in the Hall-of-Fame on Wednesday.

Alan Trammell Deserves Hall-0f-Fame Call

Last year we banged the drum for Jack Morris entering the Hall-of-Fame and he failed on his final time. This year Alan Trammell has his final shot. He won’t get in and that is still an unbelievable travesty. Morris received just 61.5 percent with 75 percent needed last season in his final year of eligibility. Tram surprisingly got a little more notice nationally last year but ended up actually declining to 33.6 percent. Lou Whitaker has remained ineligible for 15 years despite his numbers stacking up favorably to Hall-of-Fame second basement. All three will eventually be eligible for induction via the Veteran’s Committee, but its a shame that each will have to wait much longer (committee doesn’t meet again until next year), if they get selected at all. We discussed Tram’s case last year and will repost much of the argument below because it remains just as relevant now. READ MORE

There was a mid-week report stating that the Tigers are still the frontrunners to retaining Max Scherzer. Still his contract demands do not appear to be coming down–which is probably a reason he hasn’t received a lot of interest. Josh Scramlin thinks there might be a better option and that option could be James Shields.

Signing James Shields would prove beneficial for Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers have been nothing short of busy this offseason, acquiring multiple new faces and shipping some of their own talent elsewhere. The acquisition of slugger Yoenis Cespedes has cooled down much of the outfield fever, while Alfredo Simon’s and Shane Greene’s arrival in the Motor City has give the Tigers flexibility with their pitching staff. Many negatives have turned to positives since the end of the 2014 season, and many lingering questions have found their answers. But if the Tigers really wanted to evoke fear from their opponents and cap off the winter with bang, the club should sign SP James Shields to a contract. Such a move would be much more checkbook-friendly, allow for improvements within the bullpen, and get the team clicking on all cylinders. READ MORE

Follow the jump once more for a fan letter to Kris Kringle…