This whole blog just seems a bit odd! Carl Crawford not much of an upgrade from Marcus Thames???? What???? You can’t be serious! Sanchez for Smoltz? What would the Braves front office have to be smoking to make that deal? I’m not even gonna touch the whole “if Zumaya is gonna only be a closer then let’s ship him out” thing. I’m sorry, It’s all just a little too much for me to handle.

I’m not sure what’s so odd about it. Marcus Thames (2.1 WARP) has actually outplayed Carl Crawford (1.8 WARP) to date in about 1/3 to 1/2 less at bats. The Braves are in last place and Smoltz just turned 39 so he’s likely trade bait. And relievers, even good ones, while not quite a dime a dozen, can be replaced and cheaply (although you wouldn’t know it from this organization, i.e. Todd Jones).

You’re definitely correct about relievers, but having a potentially dominant one is a whole different story. We haven’t had that since 1984, and Zumaya has the looks of someone, if his innings are leveraged properly, who can turn the tide of a game in the late innings. Granted, if he was able to start I’d actually prefer that long term, but to trade Zumaya right now for just about anybody to me is insanity.

Why do people refuse to accept that Marcus Thames might be a good baseball player. To this point this refusal has cost the Tigers dozens of runs. I just don’t get it. He hits a homer about every 12 plate appearances over the past 3 years at both levels. What exactly is so bad about Thames? I really don’t get it.

Hey, by the way, great idea to lead off Inge and bat Vance Wilson 3rd today. It’s going great!

Just terrible managing today. Absolutely incompetent. Why do I only complain when Leyland makes mistakes while I never say anything when he does the right thing? Because he’s paid to NOT make those mistakes. He’s paid to know his job. Terrible job today. What the hell is he thinking?

Inge should never bat near the leadoff spot. I dont care how many homers he hits. He is never on base. he flat out refuses to get on base. Why not pinch hit for robertson in the 7th? terrible managing today…. horrific!

Jim Leyland’s dumb ass probably cost us this game today. Tell me to be patient when the Tigers finish one game behond the White Sox at the end of the season. With Buehrle going against Marquis tonight, it’s an almost certain win for the White Sox. Just total crap managing.

By no means was I dogging Marcus Thames. I’m just saying he is not Carl Crawford. Crawford can change the game in so many ways just with his speed and he’s proven himself over a couple of years. There’s no doubt he’s an all star performer. We know Thames can play but the question is how consistently will he play over the long haul (and I’m not just talking about this season). Crawford is signed long term and for a relatively inexpensive price for the callabor of player that he is and will continue to become. I love the pieces the Tigers have in their outfield right now. They are playing well and producing, but if you have an opportunity to add the likes of Crawford to your team I think you have to explore it. (And oh yeah, he’s a lefthanded bat and he’s excellent defensively) Crawford hitting at Comerica, I think would be a very nice addition to an otherwise power loaded (i.e. home run happy) lineup.

keep dreamin guys! Crawford coming to Detroit is not gonna happen…the only player I would get rid of zumaya for would be Dontrell Willis and I think the marlins would want more than zumaya…give em craig monroe too!

Why hasn’t anyone responded to me? Do I have to comment on this same entry six times before people pay attention to me? Waaaaa I’m a bitter asshole!

As long as you aren’t being bitter, Dan.

That wasn’t me. That was someone else writing my name. You’ll recognize my writing as that which makes sense.

Not everyone is a big a Tigers fan as I am. Sorry if it gets the best of me, but I want them to win, and if they don’t I want it to be because of something other than incompetence.

Get bent, phony Dan.

Wow. Shows the intellegence of Tigers fans. You’d need to give up Cameron Maybin for Smoltz! Plus although Thames is becoming a HR machine, he doesn’t compare to Crawford as far as potential and what kind of a career he will have.

I’m a believer. Thames just tied the game up in the bottom of the ninth with a two run shot.

And Royals Fan, nobody has said Crawford won’t have a better career then Thames. We’re all just saying that it’s not worth giving up a top notch prospect for him because he’s not “that much” of an upgrade over Thames.

And Ordonez just doubled. Winning run is in scoring position. They’re walking Carlos Guillen so Shelton will get to hit with one out and runners on first and second.

WOW!!! what a game… GO TIGERS!!

Awesome. Why won’t the White Sox lose?!

Crawford is not an upgrade over Thames this season. Crawford will obviously be better going forward, but Thames is just as valuable right now.

This is the other Jeff, the one that used to write here.

I’m with you, Brian — we should listen to offers for Zumaya. I think we need to recognize that this is a good team that will be in competition all year, but one that has too many holes to be a favorite: lefty hitters, patience, etc. Given how much players like Farnsworth went for in the last year, what if we could do something like Zumaya and Sanchez for Abreu and, I don’t know, Arthur Rhodes?

And congrats on all this traffic, Brian.

Abreu in a Tigers uniform would be beautiful. Of course, the Yankees will be looking for an outfielder…

back to the drawing board and have fun with Sheffield the headcase. DH? Right. Fugetaboutit! Yankees will win WS in ’07 with Matsukaza and Zito along with Moose and a healthy Unit and the Wang Man. Gambler needs a hand wash and a suspension.