Monthly Archives: March 2003

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John Donovan on Trammell

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Taking the Tram

Trammell has called his veterans together, guys like Dean Palmer and Bobby Higginson and Dmitri Young, and pushed the rah rah, we are a team, everybody works together speech. For Trammell, though, it’s no speech. It’s the only way he knows how to do this.

Because he is so earnest about it, the veterans are buying into it. All the players are, evidently.

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Who’t going to make this team?

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Who is going to make this team? Just taking a quick stab, I came away with this:
Locks:
-Carlos Pena
-Damion Easley
-Craig Paquette
-Dean Palmer
-Dmitri Young
-Brandon Inge
-Bobby Higginson
-Mike Maroth
-Steve Sparks
-Matt Anderson
-Franklyn German
-Julio Santana
-Jamie Walker
That’s 13 so there are still 12 to go. Either Omar Infante or Ramon Santiago will be playing short (I’m guessing Infante). Also, Eric Munson is a near lock due to the fact he is out of options, and will definitely not clear waivers. Plus, his play at third has improved and does anybody really expect Palmer to play a whole season (in the field, or just period)? Then we need a centerfielder. Andres Torres has played too well not to make the team. He’s hitting .400+, and while only one of his hits has been for extra bases, his approach has become that of a leadoff hitter and he’s just trying to put the ball in play. It also appears that Gene Kingsale will make the team. Throw in a back up catcher (Walbeck or Hasselman) and the roster is up to 18. Seven slots to go, and we only have 6 pitchers. I believe Nate Cornejo, Jeremy Bonderman, and Adam Bernero will join Maroth and Sparks to fill the rotation. Wilson Ledezema and Matt Roney are Rule 5 pick-ups that will probably fill out the middle of the bullpen. There are two spots left, and Hiram Bocachica and George Lombard are still unaccounted for. Due to Bocachia’s ability to play middle infield as well as outfield, he is probably secure. Then it will come down to Travis Chapman or George Lombard. Considering Palmer, Munson, Young and Paquette are available to play 3rd, Travis Chapman will probably be left out.

So that’s my guess at what the opening day roster will look like. This could easily change if the Tigers trade for, or pick up another starter. It won’t surprise me to see the Tigers use at least 45 players again this season (not counting Sept 1 call-ups). Andy Van Hekken and Gary Knotts will definitely get starts this year, and Shane Loux will probably also spend time with the team. Ernie Young and Cody Ross will probably get some time in the outfield, and whoever loses the shortstop battle initially will still get significant playing time this year.

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Sparky’s back

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Sparky bonds with Tigers

“The one thing I don’t want to happen,” Anderson said, “is that I don’t want anyone thinking that what I have to say means something. Like I told Tram, and I told him the truth, I’ll come there because I really want to see how he operates, but I’ll tell you this, whatever I say to you privately, don’t pay any attention to it.
“Run it through your mind, but then use your mind, that’s what it is for. You were given that mind, now use it. People told me things when I started, and I listened, but I took what they said and ran off with it five different ways.
“That’s what Tram will do. It’s a blueprint, nothing but a blueprint of how things can be done, but it’s up to him to decide how to apply it. I could tell him some things about the ’84 Tigers or the ’75 or ’76 Reds, but they don’t pertain to this club. His club ain’t ready for that yet. You have to adapt it to you. He’s a bright kid, he knows that.”