Alright, lets revisit this one more time, this time from Left Center. Let me get this strait, the Tigers traded the face of the team in Curtis Grandson for Austin Jackson and Phil Coke. Coke is going to be a decent situational lefty coming out of the pen. He has a career 3.74 ERA with a 5-3 record in 84 games.
But Jackson! Really! Isn't this team in need of a left handed power hitter? Doesn't this team need a lead off hitter. Well fans of Detroit we at least got one of the two! Jackson is right handed but in 132 games in this minors this year, Jackson hit .300 with 4 HR and 65 RBIs. Yes! He does not have much power, but this guy has speed! 24 steals and caught only 4 times, with 23 doubles and 9 triples. Lets give this guy a shot just like we gave Curtis a chance. I have to believe many of you were just like me when the Tigers said he was going to be the starting center fielder...who the heck is Curtis Granderson? There is no way he can handle the spacious center field in the Copa! Well folks, C.G. proved us wrong, so lets give Jackson a chance! I believe he is going to be a STUD! My 2010 prediction for Jackson... .275 5 (1 inside-the-park) 57 rbis 35 steals and caught 10 times.
As for the other part of the deal...Edwin Jackson for Max Scherzer and Daniel Schlereth. This one you are going to LOVE! Yes! Jackson was an all-star this year, but what did he do down the final stretch? The same thing that he did for Tampa last year. Remember when Tampa left him off the playoff roster last year? Jackson just does not have the arm strength to make it a whole season. He breaks down, his arm gets tired, and then he starts throwing up balloons that guys drive to ole' Michigan and Trumble (thats old Tiger Stadium for those who do not know).
So we sent him for Scherzer and Schlereth. Schlereth can do anything out of the pen. He can close, he can set up, and he can get that one tough lefty out in any situation. Yeah, his numbers last year really do not show that 1-4 with a 5.89 era in 21 games, but he throws HARD and is going to turn some head this 2010 season.
Finally, Max Scherzer...The piece of the Tigers puzzle we have all been waiting for. He is the one that will help all of us forget about this trade in just a few short years. Heck maybe even by the end of this season. In the two years he has been in Arizona he has a 9-15 record with a measly 3.86 era in 46 games, 240 k's (174 of them last year in his first full year). Strikeouts last year for Jackson...161... Scherzer is going to LOVE pitching in the spacious Comerica Park. He has awesome stuff and I believe he WILL be an ALL-STAR this season!
All in all I really like the trade. I hate that Grandy is a Yankee. I believe that he is going to become a Tiger killer. But then again, don't we only have to pitch a lefty against him?
Our projected line-up right now will look something like this...
1. Jackson - CF
2. Guillen - LF
3. Maggs - DH
4. Miggy - 1st
5. Raburn - RF
6. Inge - 3rd
7. Sizemore - 2nd
8. Avila - C
9. Everett - SS
Roation:
1. J.V.
2. Scherzer
3. Porcello
4. Bondo
5. ?? Galarraga/Minor/Willis/Roberston
A few guys to watch during spring training OF Casper Wells and OF Wilkin Ramirez. Both guys have a chance to make the team out of spring training, and both have the ability to make the Tigers move a guy like Guillen just so they can get into the everyday lineup.
I AM EXCITED! We have just 35 days till pitcher and catchers report! WOO HOO!
