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04/23/2003 Archived Entry: "Today's MLB News: Breakdown in Motor City"
Today's MLB News by Eric Gartman
Today's MLB News: Breakdown in Motor City- 1-17. That's the Detroit Tigers record after the first 18 games of the season. How did things get to be so bad? Last years' Tigers were 55-106, worst in baseball. But the Tigers didn't make any significant moves to improve themselves during the offseason. In fact, they lost some of their most productive players to free agency, including their best reliever in Juan Acevedo, and one of their steadiest hitters, Robert Fick. They also traded their best hitter in Randall Simon for a mediocre pitching prospect. The Tigers had already traded their two best starting pitchers in Mark Redman and Jeff Weaver. What was left for the start of 2003 season was a collection of over-the-hill veterans and unproven youngsters. For offense, the Tigers had to hope on big seasons from veterans such as 34-year old Dean Palmer, who missed all of last season, and Dmitri Young, who missed half of last season. The only reliable hitter is Bobby Higgenson, who continued to bat well last year but is now 32 years old. The Tigers also hoped for production from unproven rookies Carlos Pena, 24, and Ramon Santiago, 23. The pitching sitation seems equally dismal. Rookie Mike Maroth seems ready for majors, and has pitched well so far, but with no run support he has yet to win a game. Young Andy Van Hekken may need more time in the minors before he is ready, but the Tigers have no other choice. For some reason, they expect big things from 37-year old Steve Sparks, who posted a 5.52 ERA last year. And that's just the front of the rotation. The back half is also unproven. How bad are the Tigers this year. Well, their 1996 counterparts, who lost 109 games and are considered one of the worst teams of all time, may actually be better than the 2003 version.
