The ViewPoint
What would it Take? - Tigers & Mariners
April 13, 2004
Written by MadAlan

(Read archived articles here)

Lets strip the Detroit Tigers and the Seattle Mariners.

Detroit Tigers
Not only are they different, they now have a Hall-Of Fame player in I-Rod in the daily line-up. The addition of players who started on other teams last year; each qualify as ex-All-Star in I-Rod, Vina, R. White, A. Sanchez and Urbina; a good picture of acquiring the kind of player that is willing to teach the younger players. In spring the improvement was apparent even down to the way they now walk. This team could sneak into a .500 team if the pitching can come around. The talent is there.

Before the season is over kids like Munson, Pena and Monroe will be much better known amongst us the fantasy players. All three will reach 30 home runs in their careers and this is a good time for them to do so. Pena and Munson are likely to hit those 30 this year.

Tiger Pitching
Bonderman is the raw-diamond youngster waiting to blossom into a starting pitcher good for at least 7 quality innings. He could win 7 games this year. He could win 12 games this year. He can win 20 games within the next two seasons.

J. Johnson looked un-hittable on Opening Day. A smart, young pitcher. He is the number one here but is really a number 3 starter. Look for 12-15 wins.

Maroth lost 21 games last year and everyone wants him. He was the one Tiger attracting the most attention during the off-season. If he wins 15 games this year I would not be surprised.

Cornejo on the mound means activity for the other eight players. Last year in 32 starts he collected 46 strikeouts. A very good pitcher in progress; should have been in the minors for one more year – last year.

N. Robertson was a highly prized pitcher in the Marlin organization and the Tigers were fortunate to get him. At present he is the fifth starter/long reliever but should work himself up the rotation.

Urbina is on a different team each year but the numbers prove him to be a quality closer and that will save some wins for the starters that were lost last year by the bullpen.

Tiger Hitting
I-Rodriguez will not duplicate last season in one way only this team is not heading to the World Series. Otherwise his numbers will be about the same as last season.

Carlos Pena may not hit .300 but he will hit 25-30 home runs.

R. White is a career .288 hitter; anticipate an average around that, 25 homeruns and 80 R.B.I.s.

D. Young is an occasional outfielder but expect him to DH mostly. He is the most dangerous bat on the team and is loved by everyone. If he hit 35 homeruns this year the Tigers should win about 3-5 more games.

E. Munson may not hit .300 but he will hit 25-30 home runs.

F. Vina plays hard at all times, is a solid team player that will do the little things such as move the runner up in scoring position to win a game. His presence should add some wins to the season.

C. Monroe may not hit .300 but he will hit 25-30 home runs.

A. Sanchez is a sure thing for a .300 batting average, 50 stolen bases and this year he could score 100 runs.

Seattle Mariners
The mariners win each season because they are fundamentally sound the pitching is above average and the fielding has always been strong. Allowing Cameron to leave will show, Spiezio at third is a slip and this is the last year for a big bat in a hitting depraved lineup in Edgar Martinez. Fortunately the pitchers in the minors are also very good and the couple of young bats can be ready next season.

Mariner Pitching
J. Moyer is not likely to win 20 games this year, expect something more like 16. The reason he should falter is the fielding is not the same anymore and he requires that – he does not own a fastball.

J. Pineiro should become the number-one pitcher this season and could win 20 games.

F. Garcia looks back to form, another number-one on the staff does not hurt.

G. Meche a couple years ago had the best stuff in the entire Seattle system. He is one season away from surgery and is still maturing. He had 15 wins last year.

Ryan Franklin has improved his numbers every season so far. He won 11 games last year.

Guardado is rated one of the top 7 closers in baseball.

Hasegawa has become the everyman pitcher on the team, including the back up closer role.

J. Mateo is one of the two young stars-in-training. He could evolve into a closer or a solid starter, what do you do with a pitcher nobody can hit? He does not walk many either. In 50 appearances he produced a WHIP of .096 last year.

R. Soriano has a nagging injury that could affect the entire season. He is the other young-star-in-training. When healthy he is another pitcher nobody has been able to hit. In 40 appearances last year he finished with a WHIP of .079.

Mariner Hitting
J. Olerud serves the team in two important ways; he saves 25 errors each season for the infielders and will have 80 R.B.I.s.

B. Boone is almost a Hall of Fame candidate and if he continues he could do it.

Edgar Martinez is still bashing and knocking in his Mariner teammates.

S. Spiezio was the big off-season acquisition. He is much more of a hitter than a fielder, a throwback player who has a dirty uniform every game. Injured at present.

R. Winn has scored 190 runs and driven in 150 R.B.I.s his two years in Seattle.

I. Suzuki has had 200 or more hits every year in the States. He will not do that every year; he will do it again this season.

R. Ibanez is a .290 hitter and will collect 100+ R.B.I.s.

R. Aurilia is going to line-drive hitters paradise – Safeco Field. He may collect close to 100 R.B.I.s.

Fantasy Baseball Headquarters
This web site is free. That has become rare now. So please check the sponsors here and lets all work to keep this wonderful and insightful Web site free. It takes but a minute of your time and who knows you may find something of interest. Where else can you go to get the daily insights on so many players everyday.

I thank you guys.

Coming next: A look at the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs.