There has been lots of Tiger news and speculation, and outside of Placido Polanco re-upping last week, it’s all been bad.

On Terry Foster’s blog, he reported a couple days ago that Trammell’s job is only in jeopardy if there is a revolt. In that post he indicated that several players are already unhappy.

There are also numerous grumblings that the team is upset that Pudge decided to return to Miami rather than serve his suspension with the team.

All this is troubling for several reasons. I’m not upset that players aren’t happy – in fact they shouldn’t be happy given the way things are going. However, one of the positives about Trammell as manager is that even despite the losing, clubhouse grumblings never made the press. The Tigers endured some dark times the last couple years, but problems in the clubhouse didn’t seem to surface. The uprising – if true – isn’t a good sign.

Second, the reason that Foster thought Trammell would be back barring a revolt is that Mike Illitch would keep him around – despite what Dave Dombrowski might suggest. Dave Dombrowski and Alan Trammell both have one year left on their contracts. As much as I really want Alan Trammell to succeed in Detroit, I think it is more important to ensure that Dombrowski remains with the team. In other words – don’t piss off Dombrowski and start working on an extension.

Another thing that I’ve given Trammell for is his diligence in trying to protect his young pitcher’s arms. But then Pat Caputo wrote that the Tigers won’t be limiting Bonderman’s innings this year:

Bonderman is on pace for 224 innings – which isn’t excessive for a number 1 starter. And given the fact that Bonderman threw 184 innings last year it isn’t a tremendous jump up. Plus, Bonderman is in his 3rd major league season. But, and this is a big but, he is still only 22 and is still at an age where arm injuries are very prevalent. He is the best thing that the Tigers have going for them, and I don’t see the need to risk his and the team’s future to get an extra start or two. I’d much prefer to see the Tigers go to a 6 man rotation in September. Bob Cluck has said that Roman Colon would be starting at some point this year, and I wouldn’t mind seeing Kenny Baugh get a couple starts. Not that I have high expectations for Baugh, but he is on the 40 man roster and it would be a great opportunity to find out what he could do at the big league level.

Meanwhile Justin Verlander is resting until the tightness in his shoulder goes away and first rounder Cameron Maybin doesn’t appear any closer to signing.

In their last 16 games the Tigers have gone 4-12 and wiped out any and all momentum they gained since taking 3 of 5 from the Minnesota Twins. They have dropped to a season low 8 games under .500 and have the same record they did last year at this time. As a fan it is hard not to be down on this team. Things are not good right now, and it’s getting hard to remember how good this team played at various points this season. I try to avoid getting too high or too low, but this is the lowest I’ve been this year. Here’s hoping that they can stop this slide.

PS – There is one bright spot. The Tigers have agreed to terms with 5th round pick Jeff Larrish.