Detroit Tigers: Common struggles, trading block, Angel Nesbitt future

The Detroit Tigers got a rare offense explosion on Thursday afternoon and received a somewhat less rare but not all too common strong performance from a starter to win the series from the Minnesota Twins.

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Anibal Sanchez‘s strong outing and the potent bats, led by Miguel Cabrera‘s two homers, (in a lineup that did not feature Victor Martinez) was reminiscent of the first week of the Tigers’ year, not that last four in which games like this were few and far between.

It was a nice win by the Tigers but I think we all need to see a little more solid and consistent effort from the team, especially when facing baseball’s best team in St. Louis over the weekend. Until we see consistency, however, the troubling warning signs will remain as Chris Iott points out.

The trading deadline is still about 10 weeks away but it has not stopped some from thinking about the Tigers’ future, though some of the pieces that author is trading away are questionable. Hernan Perez? Who would want him? James McCann? The catcher of the team’s future is not going anywhere.

Finally, one of the very solid pieces of the Tigers this season has been the bullpen–yes the bullpen (with some exceptions of course). Angel Nesbitt has shown he can handle late inning pressure and he should be the Tigers’ everyday setup man.

All too common scoring struggles may be tough for Detroit Tigers to shake off in near future – Chris Iott, MLive

"The floodgates have been reduced to a trickle for the Tigers, who rank near the bottom in most offensive categories for the month of May. For the month, the Tigers are in the bottom third in the majors in batting average (23rd, .238), OPS (25th, .639), runs scored (26th, 34) and home runs (30th, four). Those rankings include 15 National League teams, who have pitchers in their starting lineups.Two runs has been the most popular run total for a Tigers team that was expected to mash the ball pretty well this season. They have scored two or fewer runs 16 times in 34 games this season — that’s nearly half their games — and nine times in the past 14 games."

5 Detroit Tigers Who Should Be On the Trading Block Right Now – Jacob Kornhauser, Rant Sports

"Another young hitter who could be on the move is Moya, who may have the most tools of any slugger in the team’s group of prospects. That means he’s an intriguing choice for a team trying to trade away an ace or a difference making position player. Look for Moya to possibly be a part of any blockbuster the Tigers might have in the works."

Angel Nesbitt pitching his way into later-inning responsibilities for Detroit Tigers – Matthew B. Mowery

"“He’s really come into himself as far as wanting the ball in big situations. He obviously has the stuff to be that kind of a guy, but he’s really pitched himself into that type of a guy. He’s come out and thrown strikes. Even the other night when you see him struggle to find it, he ended up finding a way to minimize the damage. But he’s come out and pounded the zone and that’s what you need out of a late-inning reliever,” catcher James McCann said.“No, not at all. Maybe a few times in his first or second outing, but ever since then he’s right at home on the mound. He’s a guy that I think a lot of people are very comfortable with when he gets the ball.”He does want the ball, too."

Next: Enough with Hernan Perez!