ICYMI: MCB Digest–Detroit Tigers Week That Was

Jul 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Joe Nathan (36) celebrates after the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Comerica Park. Detroit won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

If you missed any of the articles from this past week on Motor City Bengals, sit back and relax on this fine Saturday morning and discover them–or rediscover them again.

The Detroit Tigers made one key move this week, signing former Brewer Tom Gorzelanny to a one-year, around $1 million deal, but there was several other events to discuss, including another Alan Trammell snub.

Our week began with Zane Stalberg discussing the importance of a reliable Joakim Soria and Joe Nathan at the back-end of Detroit’s bullpen in 2015.

Without Soria and Nathan, The Detroit Tigers Will Not Win It All

"In 2014, the Detroit Tigers signed Joe Nathan, and traded for Joakim Soria, because they wanted reliability and consistency. Simply put, what they received instead was a rude awakening. With fans in Detroit clamoring for a better bullpen, and by association, an elusive championship ring, both pitchers failed to meet expectations. In 2015, Soria and Nathan will need to return to form, or the Tigers, and their fan-base, will face heartbreak yet again. In essence, it is not Miguel Cabrera, or Max Scherzer, but Joe Nathan, and Joakim Soria, who are the most important Tigers on the roster. It may seem like a frightening thought, but it is not nearly as terrifying as another year where a David Ortiz home-run, or a Delmon Young double, dooms the Tigers’ lofty hopes. And, while it is worrisome for the Tigers’ faithful to have to place their trust in any reliever, there is reason to be optimistic. Despite his standing in the court of public opinion, Nathan righted the ship after posting a bewildering 9.00 ERA in the month of June. Now, he still failed to live up to what he had shown the Detroit faithful as he developed into a proven Tigers killer in years past, but by the end of 2014 he had started to figure it out. In the last three months of the season, he posted ERA totals of 3.00 (July), 3.48 (August), and 3.00 (September), once more. READ MORE"

Monday morning,Tom Zahari discussed the possibility of using Alex Avila in the lineup’s two-hole against right-handers. He might have caught flack for it from the Avila haters, but Tom always backs up his opinions with cold hard statistics. Take a look…

The Detroit Tigers Should Bat Alex Avila Second Against RHP

"The Detroit Tigers should bat Alex Avila second in their batting order when they face right handed pitching. Yes, the same Alex Avila that some believe is on the team only because of his father should bat second for the Detroit Tigers against right handed pitching. When Brad Ausmus fills out his lineup card on a daily basis, he has a pretty easy time filling in most of it. The middle of the lineup will consist of Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, J.D. Martinez, Yoenis Cespedes, and Nick Castellanos. Ian Kinsler will most likely bat leadoff against right handed pitching unless the Tiger believe newly acquired Anthony Gose can produce since he will get the reps against right handed pitching. Jose Iglesias has the makings for a number 2 hitter, but coming off of a year where he could not play due to injuries, the Tigers should be weary sticking him there to start the season. Now you shouldn’t pick the second batter by process of elimination, so let’s look at the numbers. When building an optimal lineup, some believe the second batter in the order should be a guys who can handle the bat and others believe the second batter should one of the three best hitters in the order, while others believe the second hitter should be the top OBP player on the team outside of the leadoff hitter with the 3rd and 4th batters the best overall hitters on the team. READ MORE"