The Detroit Tigers pick up Gary Sheffield. What does this mean for Monroe, Granderson, and Ordonez?
827839
Maggs and Sheff will split time in RF/DH most likely, with more field time going to Maggs.  Monroe isn't going anywhere.  He'll continue to play left and may even get some time in right with Sheff playing left (Leyland said it himself).  Maggs is not a good outfielder anymore as he demonstrated repeatedly in 2006 and Andy Van Slyke (the outfield coach and all-around kick-ass dude) is not a miracle worker.  He had a few great catches  that were surrounded by overall sloppy defensive play.  He also lets too many balls drop in front of him (plays too deep).  I know Van Slyke tried to correct that in the fielders, but I think Maggs' knee cuts his range down considerably.\n\nGranderson will stay in centerfield for a few more years until Maybin is ready to come up - they he will move over to one of the corners.\n\nThe real losers in this deal are Marcus Thames (last year's DH and a backup outfielder) and Brent Clevlen.  Thames is expendable now and could very well get dealt or he'll be stuck in Toledo this year (after finally getting his first full year in the majors at 29).  Clevlen could be a future star who is currently the Tigers best fielding outfielder with a cannon for an arm, but has not yet really proven that he can be a consistent hitter.  The fact that he is another right-handed hitter hurts his chance of making the club because our other outfielders are all righties (except Granderson).  Now we'll probably be stuck with Gomez again as our backup just because he's a lefty when the job really should go to Clevlen.
306752
C - Jason Varitek, Josh Bard\n1B - Kevin Youkilis, JT Snow\n2B - Mark Loretta, Alex Cora\n3B - Mike Lowell\nSS - Alex Gonzalez\nOF - Manny Ramirez, Coco Crisp, Trot Nixon, Adam Stern, Dustan Mohr, Wily Mo Pena\nDH - David Ortiz\n\nSP - Curt Schilling, Tim Wakefield, Josh Beckett, Matt Clement, Lenny Dinardo, David Wells\nRP - Jonathan Papelbon, Keith Foulke, Mike Timline, David Riske, Julian Tavarez, Jaimie Van Buren, Rudy Seanez\n\nyou can get more details about the players at redsox.com.
775165
We can rule out the Royals. \n\nThe Whitesox have the horses already. They just need leadership and for their pitchers to remember how to pitch. \n\nThe Indians have a potent offense and a shaky but promising pitching staff. If a couple of those pitchers shape up into first rate pitchers the Indians could run away with it. \n\nThe Tigers have momentum. Most importantly they still have Pudge. It's Pudge that is the heart of the Tigers. The Tigers will have to deal with improvements from some pitchers. Verlander will probably get even better. Other Tigers had career years and watch for them to fade next year.  Sheffield is a huge injury risk and the outfield outside of Ordenez was one of the Tiger's biggest weaknesses. Leyland is a good manager and he won't let the Tigers fall apart. I do see the Tigers in a tight race next year. Whether they win, well that's hard to say. \n\nThe Twins really don't have the guns to take it next year. Even with improved stats from Morneau and Maur. The Twins need more than Santanna in the rotation. Really bad years from the Indians and Whitesox let the Twins sneak in this year. Don't expect both teams to be as bad next year. \n\nAssuming nobody adds anybody, no major injuries in spring training or early in the year. I'd lean with the Indians myself with the Whitsox a very close second. The Whitesox on paper are the best team in the division.  Age, lack of clubhouse spirit are what killed them. Wthout a strong leader either on the field or as manager the Whitesox will disapoint again next year.  The Tigers are at the mercy of the Indians and Whitesox. They don't have the talent on paper but have the want. So any failure by the frontrunners will be an opening for the Tigers.  Recent transactions havn't really been good ones. Casey is good but Shelton outhit Casey and all of the OF/DH combos except for Ordenez. Shelton should be traded since he's clearly not in the Tiger's plans this year. He was a huge part of their offense early on and without Shelton powering that offense I see a slow start for the Tigers. High expectations combined with a slow start could unravel the young team. I also think the Tigers should stick more with the Youth. It's their strength. Adding older vets like Sheffield and Casey is not improving the team. \n\nLast the Twins are a darkhorse. They have Santanna and if he can get support from the rest of the staff and the Twins can replace some of thier fading players with some of the talented prospects waiting in the wings then the Twins can compete again this year. The problem is that you are talking alot of ifs.  Cuddyer and Hunter are both ifs. Cuddyer finally lived up to his promise driving in 100 runs, more than twice his previous best. Cuddyer also racked up 130 KOs in the process and had a meager .284 BA to go with that.  Still he's only 27, so he's a legitimate deal with hopes that he'll get even better in 08. The sophmore jinx will likely limit him to similer or slightly worse stats in 07.  Stewart might have a good season left in but probably not.  He'll probably hit .270ish with a dozen HRs and very boring all around stats.  Hunter is the kind of player I'd trade in a heartbeat. He appeared to be the core of the Twins for a long time to come a few years back. Injury cut his 05 year down and his return was less than hoped for. True Hunter did have a career high 31 HRs but his RBI production was disapointing for that many HRs. Hunter had driven in many more RBIs before with fewer HRs.  Hunter's SB and 2bs dropped noticably and that was a big part of the drop in Runs scored and RBI.  So Hunter's 07 year is going to be hard to predict. To me he seems like a player to worry about. His age is at where many CFs either develop into power hitters or start seeing production noticable drop. He plays a high injury risk posisition and his 05 injury says it might happen again.  From 99-05 Castilla was one
1075243
A healthy Gagne, another quality set-up man and for God's sake, quit with the interleague games!!!\n\nSeriously, it looks like Coletti has made another move to shore up the starting rotation, trading Jae Seo and Dioner Navarro to the Devil Rays for Mark Hendrickson and Toby Hall. Brett Tomko went on the 15 day DL as well, so I think Ned's dealing days aren't over yet...
101608
Being a huge Tigers fan for a time period there I would agree with you. But Illitch has now made it a point to also make the Tigers a winning ball club. That dedication started when he brought Dombrowski in who is considered one of the best GM's out there. He has also trie to get top players just nobody wants to come to Detroit which is why he has had to over pay for some guys such as Pudge and Mags. He made another good move this year by getting rid of Tram (yes he was a great ball player but he couldn't manage worth a lick). Leyland will have more respect from the team and knows how to manage a ball team. In my opinion Leyland alone is worth 5 to 10 more wins this season. To sum it up Illitch is heading in the right direction and starting to pump more money into the Tigers. We will see if it works out though.
336616
Less than 10% chance.  Not even enough chance for Ordonez.\n\n2-for-1 trade is hard.  Usually, the other team still has to drop one player.  Two mediocre players for a good one?  Not a chance.
975720
Abreu is,Sheffield is a homerun hitter, Abreau is an one base hitter,he'll do anything to get on base and he can drive in runs,He"s also not affraid to bunt.Sheffield just wants to hit home runs,He doesn't do the little things to get on base.He holds his bat like he's chopping wood.He never came through for us in a Big spot!!
338826
You're giving up Felix? That is a bad, bad move in my opinion. Livan is a good innings-eater, and he'll get some strikeouts, but I still like Felix a lot better. He might be a top-15 pitcher this year if he can get some run support.
969551
Jason Schmidt would be a great addition to the CUBBIES..we need pitching real bad
971706
AL: Johan Santana\nNL: Brandon Webb\n\nThe awards will be announced Nov 14 for the NL and Nov 16 for the AL.\n\nOverview:\n\nJohan Santana will run away with the AL Cy Young. He was very close in getting the Triple Crown, leading the league in strikeouts (245), ERA (2.77) and was tied in wins (19) with Wang from NYY. He posted an amazing 19-6 record, making 34 starts, and helping the Twins reach the postseason. He also posted a WHIP of 1.00. Johan Santana is a sure bet.\n\nOther pitchers in the AL will fall very short. Wang from the NYY also managed to go 19-6, however he had a higher ERA (3.63), and low strikeout totals (76K's in 218 innings). Plus being on a Yankee team with that batting order to score alot runs for you every game plays into effect on how many wins he recieved this year. \n\nAnother candidate, whom I thought would have made this a two way race would be Roy Halladay. Surely it was between him and Santana, until Halladay ran into some bad luck near the end of August, and getting injured in the middle of September. He went 16-5 with a 3.19 ERA pitching 220 IP in 32 starts. If i had to pick between both pitchers on the fact on who I would want at the top of my rotation I'd go with Halladay over Santana. Halladay can eat up innings, is dominant pitching in the AL East, one of the best, if not the best pitcher in the Majors. \n\nOverall: Santana will run away with this award.\n\nNL: Two way race between Carpenter and Webb. Put it this way, the selection of pitchers in the NL for this award is just a joke. \n\nChris Carpenter will recieve consideration for the NL Cy Young, the second year in a row. He deserves it: 15-8, 3.09 ERA, 221.2 innings, 184 K's, 5 CG and 3 SHO. He helped St. Louis make the postseason with his conistent pitching throughout the whole season. However Webb leads Carpenter in some categories. \n\nBrandon Webb went 16-8 with a 3.10 ERA, notching 235 innings, alongside with 178 K's and also 5 CG and 3 SHO. \n\nOverall it will be a close race between both Carpenter and Webb. It will be tough to decide who wins, though im leanings towards Brandon Webb winning the 2006 NL Cy Young.
570406
Team A BY FAR!!! This guy has 3 definite 1st round picks with Manny, Vladdy, and Johan.  A few potential 2nd round guys with Utley, Lidge, Oswalt, Sheffield and Hafner.  This guy's team basically made his team in the first two rounds. A few others players that I didn't mention are on fire on his team with Wagner, Fielder, Dunn, Vizquel, Ensberg, Willingham! THEYRE ALL ON FIRE! The worst player on his team is Bonderman and thats saying something.  AND MADDUX! You can't compare these two teams.
981987
Lineup\n1.) Soriano - CF (Report just came out today he signed, hooray!)\n2.) Mark DeRosa - 2b\n3.) Lee - 1b\n4.) Ramirez - 3b\n5.) Jones - RF (left handed bat behind Lee and Ramirez)\n6.) Barret -C\n7.) Murton - LF or.. someone who really impresses in spring training\n8.) Izturis - SS\n9.) Pitcher\n\nBench:\nRonny Cedeno, Henry Blanco, Freddie Bynum, Angel Pagan\n\nStarting Rotation\n1.) Zambrano\n2.) Rich Hill\n3.) Yet to be signed.. not going to be a big name after the soriano signing\n4.) Wade Miller\n5.) Mark Prior or a Japanese pitcher they targeted or insert random rookie who impresses in spring training\n\nBullpen\nNeal Cotts in the swingman role provided by Glendon Rusch last year\nWood, Ohman and Novoa\nHowry - right handed setup man\nEyre - left handed setup man\nDempster - closer
330134
First I'd check for a C upgrade. Lopez isn't bad, but I picked up Ramon Hernandez today and Willingham recently on another team. It never hurts to look. While Mueller is hot now, he's not a long term answer. You really should be getting some SBs out of this position. Check out Josh Barfield of SD or Castillo of Pittsburgh. Your team is vitually bereft of speed. SPs are weak. I'd drop Weaver and look at Bannister of the Mets.Trade Clement now before he reverts to his normal form. Andruw Jones supplies great HR?RBIs, but he's a drain on team batting average. I would be inclined to offer Thome or Jones for an SP. Keep your eyes on the free agents in your league. Use your DL slot. Always good to keep one guy on the DL, so if another goes on the DL, you can just switch them. I think your team is mid-pack talent wise. You need a couple front of the order guys for runs and SBs. Maybe Granderson or Stewart are available. Maybe package Thome or Jones plus Clement. Get an SP with era/whip and a .300+ hitter who'll replace some of the HRs you traded.
1166275
Hell yeah!   It's about time we had a good team in Detroit.  I mean we got the pitching, hitting and defense down.  We just need a left handed bat and a better closer and I honestly think we can go all the way.  But, I'll be happy with just making the playoffs because it's been soooo long.
433626
I can't say for sure, but my guess would be Gary Sheffield and Jason Giambi.  I love them to death, but have you seen them lately!?!  I would bet my life savings on it..... =)
1007051
Padres' Scott Linebrink would have to be on a list with Mike Timlin, Scott Shield, Kiko Calero, maybe Tigers' Ferdinand Rodney.  Danys Baez was supposed to fill that role for the Dodgers, but Gagne got hurt.  Yankees have had some success with Scott Proctor.   Majewski on Washington. You are right, that there is a very shaky bridge between the starter and the closer on most teams.
388140
Michael Barrett is the one.  I even got him from FA at a 10-team league.  He is batting .385 with 3 HR, 13 RBI now.  And he is a catcher!\n\nI also get Chris Reitsma from FA at another league.  He will be fine, no sign of changing his closer job yet.  Orlando Cabrera is hitting well now, but it's almost guaranteed he will back to "normal" later this season.  I don't think he is a sleeper anyaway.