Jarrod Washburn's debut wasn't very good as the Detroit Tigers fell to the Baltimore Orioles 8-2 Teusday night.
That doesn't mean trading for Washburn was a bad thing, although I didn't like the trade. Actually, I didn't like the trade because the Tigers failed to get a much-needed bat. If President Dave Dombrowski got Washburn and a left-handed hitter, I would be estatic. But, he just got Wasburn. (Hope I am making sense.)
The problem is Washburn could be a two-month addition and the Tigers gave up a couple young pitchers to get him. If Washburn signs a longterm deal with Detroit, then it will be fine. But if he stays for the remainder of 2009 and leaves it was a bad deal - unless the Tigers win the World Series.
Unless the hitting improves drastically, that will not happen. I am begining to think they could end up losing the American League Central Division because of weak hitting.
All year long, I thought they would take the division because I believed Magglio Ordonez would start hitting, Carlos Guillen would get back and hit well and Dombrowski would trade for a hitter if one or both of the first two things I mentioned didn't pan out.
What worries me is the anemic hitting and inability to get runners in from scoring position. I think the starting pitching is great and the bullpen is servicible, but the hitting is bad. If the Tigers win the Central, I can't see them winning a playoff series without scoring some runs.
They still have a few weeks to add a hitter in a trade, but that hitter would have to clear waivers so there are no guarantees.
I think what we see now is what we get for the rest of the season. Are the Tigers good enough to hald of the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox? Yes, but that is because those teams have big flaws as well.
I am worried Detroit will make the playoffs then get bounced in the first round, while only scoring a run or two per game.
I can, however, keep beleiving in the Tigers because I love this team.
Until next time, enjoy Michigan and Gooooo TIGERS!
