Detroit Tigers: Quick rebound in 2016, Sept callups, Iglesias polarizing defense

The way the Detroit Tigers have been playing the last three weeks or so, for the whole month of August for that matter, might be discouraging for their future.

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While pre- and post-Dave Dombrowski has always been built on a simple reboot instead of a rebuild, with all the issues we’ve seen in the one-month since the July 31 trading deadline, it might seem that the fixes the Tigers need to get back into contention might be more than originally thought.

Still, remember the team shipped off three of their best players a month ago, not to mention they have two starting pitchers (three if you count Kyle Lobstein) that have been on the disabled list, so the play on the field can largely be expected.

The Tigers do have a plan in place to get back to contention next year, something Brad Faber outlines.

The final month of the season should probably have just a couple of goals. The first being to keep Miguel Cabrera in the lineup enough to allow him to qualify for the batting title–sort of a flower in an otherwise dank and gloomy season. The second being, let’s see what the “kids” can do.

This will be something unique for the Tigers over the last decade. They are not in a playoff race, so they can actually play their September call-ups. They can’t be much worse than we’ve witnessed recently, especially from the bullpen.

Finally, while Jose Iglesias‘ defense skills marvel us as fans because we are delighted by the highlight reel plays, his stats don’t pass some of the sabermetricians’ muster.

Not to get into a debate about that one way or another, there have also been some concern that Iglesias focuses more on the dazzle which occasionally hampers his effort on the more mundane approaches. Something that has been rumored to be the beef that led to the dug out skirmish between Iglesias and James McCann a few weeks back.

Detroit Tigers May Be Poised For A Quick Rebound In 2016 – Brad Faber, Rant Sports

There is also reason to be optimistic about the Tigers’ starting rotation. Obviously, the big news lately has been the resurgence of Justin Verlander, but there is even more to be excited about. Yes, 31-year-old Anibal Sanchez is now on the 15-day DL with a rotator cuff strain and hasn’t had a great season, but this is still a guy who led the AL in ERA and FIP just two years ago. While youngster Daniel Norris is on the DL as well with an oblique strain, most believe that the 22-year-old southpaw has a very, very bright future ahead of him.Surely, Detroit will have to decide what to do about the final two spots in the rotation, but that should be a rather easy problem to solve. There will be a number of talented free agent starters the Tigers could sign this offseason, and they also have their share of internal options such as Matt Boyd, Kyle Lobstein, Kyle Ryan, Shane Greene, Buck Farmer and Michael Fulmer.

Ten players the Tigers should call up in September – George Sipple, Detroit Free Press

1. OF Steven Moya. Looks like the Tigers might be ready to give him an audition in leftfield. Could he end up being dealt in the off-season for some pitching?2. LHP Kyle Ryan. Whether he’s called upon for a spot start or to help in the bullpen, he’ll likely end up pitching for the Tigers in September.3. C Bryan Holaday. Made a speedy recovery from a recent thumb injury. He shouldn’t need to have his thumb out on the side of the road trying to flag down a ride to Detroit.4. INF Dixon Machado. Played in three games already with the Tigers and should get in a few more games over the final month of the season. Batting .259 in 120 games at Triple-A Toledo.

Iglesias’ defense more glitter than gold? Ausmus isn’t buying it – Lynn Henning, Detroit News

Among some national critics, Iglesias has been earning a certain reputation for form over substance – for sizzle more than steak – because of his penchant for highlights and, perhaps, for too little attention paid to more rudimentary plays.Ausmus isn’t buying it.“I think he enjoys himself, he’s entertaining,” the manager said, discounting thoughts that teammates might also, on occasion, be impatient with Iglesias’ flamboyance. “As long as you make the plays. You don’t want to take the fun out of the game.“He’s a little flashy. But as long as you make the plays.”

Next: Possible 2016 Tigers' rotation