Comments on: Report: Tigers could have had Halladay?

By: Jon Raschke

Jon Raschke — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:18:39 +0000

It’s a huge gamble when you’re making moves at the deadline, that’s for sure. But, I love what the Tigers did today by acquiring Washburn for 2 propects (Luke French was in the rotation, but still a prospect that was up too early by necessity) Washburn is a fly ball pitcher that needs to be in a large park in order to succeed, and what better place than spacious Comerica Park? I like our chances of throwing Verlander, Jackson, Washburn and Porcello in a playoff series! I don’t remember the exact number, but I’m pretty sure Washburn’s ERA was hovering around 2.70 for the year.

By: Anthony Stalter

Anthony Stalter — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:38:50 +0000

Jon – fair enough, my friend. And that’s a great point about Smoltz.

I see a window closing for the Tigers and while Porcello may in fact be the real deal, I think you guys could have competed for a WS this year and next.

We’ll see though. If Porcello goes on to have a Smoltz-like career, hanging onto him was obviously smart. (Unless of course they don’t win anything over the course of his career!)

By: Jon Raschke

Jon Raschke — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 02:34:01 +0000

Oooh… Anthony, I have to disagree with you on this one. I will concede to almost everyone of your arguments, mainly that with the 3 headed monster of Verlander, Jackson, and Halladay the Tigers would have been VERY tough to beat. However, as a Tigers fan that has watched every game this year (and really every other year for that matter) I haven’t seen a prospect like Porcello before. He may have Mark Prior arm injuries one day, or fall apart after his 21st birthday, but from what I’ve seen, he is the real deal.

I could have definitely given up Perry and Crosby (both great prospects) in that trade, but adding Porcello was too much. Trading away Smoltz for Doyle Alexander won us a pennant once too, but I’ve also had to watch him pile up over 230 wins since then. Alexander led the Tigers to one pennant, how many was Smoltz involved in with the Braves?

By: Drew Ellis

Drew Ellis — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:25:08 +0000

The Tigers apparently want to build for the future with a roster of aging talent in Polanco, Guillen, Ordonez, and others. Giving up three prospects to get the best pitcher in the game seems like a no-brainer. We don’t know how these prospects will ever turn out, and this team is built to win now, even more so with Halladay.

Plus, Halladay comes back next year and can be traded a year from now for prospects if the Tigers aren’t in the hunt.

A rotation of Halladay-Verlander-Jackson is scary and would give Detroit a chance to win any 7-game series with that combo pitching at least six of the games.

The Tigers have only had one playoff appearance in the last two decades for a reason. They may have just passed on a sure-fire showing this year and next. Way to go Dombrowski!