Tigers need Oswalt

Now that we're 44 games into the 2010 season, we have a pretty good idea what this Tigers team is all about. They are a slightly above average hitting team but heavily dependent on their 1-5 hitters. They compare well with the Twins in average (.269 vs. .275) but have scored 30 less runs. This can be attributed to two things - Minnesota has 30 more walks and 50 less strikeouts. In other words, they have more RBI opportunities and give themselves a chance by putting the ball in play. The bottom of our lineup absolutely shits the bed every 3rd inning. We have 40 strikeouts each from our 3rd base slot, catcher and 2B slot. Guillen should be an immediate offensive upgrade at second base but we could use a third baseman and catcher who now how to swing a bat. Inge, Laird and Avila are liabilities at best. That being said, we score enough to make a serious run at the playoffs.

Our bullpen is lights out. They rank first in wins, first in ERA and can run 6-7 quailty pitchers at you in a series. Our closer has been ridiculous, posting a 0.48 ERA and Zumaya leads all MLB relievers in strikeouts. When we get to the 6th inning with a lead, we basically win.

What we don't have is a reliable 1-2-3 starting rotation. Willis and Bonderman are adequate as fourth and fifth starters. Both are good enough to win ten games which is basically all you need at those slots to make a legitimate run for a pennant. Verlander is back to his old form, posting five wins and an ERA of 3.43. Porcello has been unpredictable and rarely worthy of second starter. His ERA is 5.96 and he's 2-3, in spite of impressive run support. The kid is young and going through his sophomore slump. The Tigers cannot count on Ricky being there through another long season with an arm that young. Our third spot has been a disaster with Scherzer now pitching in Toledo and Gallaraga trying to fill in after an awful 2009 campaign. The Tigers are not going to contend with the Twins all year with an average lineup and one strong starter.

This brings us to Oswalt. Roy is 32 years old but his stats would immediately make him our ace. He is only 2-6 but has nine consecutive quality starts and his ERA of 2.66 is among the best of all MLB starters. Roy has thirteen years of MLB experience and would bring some badly needed maturity and professionalism to a young group of starters who have more mental issues than physical. He wants to win which is why he is asking for this trade and a Verlander/Oswalt combo would keep the Tigers in contention throughout the rest of the year. His contract is pricey but that shouldn't matter to Ilitch and history would say that we won't need to give up that much for him as the Astros benefit just by cutting their salary cap. The Tigers might be slow on this idea as Jake Peavy hasn't exactly worked out for the Sox and we got the high hard one in the Washburn deal last year.

This shouldn't dissuade the Tigers and they should aggressively bid on Oswalt and even up the playing field with Minnesota. While they're at it, trade Inge for an extra bay boy and two beer vendors (it took too long to get a Miller Lite last time I was at Comerica).