As of this writing (May 3rd), the Detroit Tigers have the worst record in baseball at 8-21.  They have lost 15 of their last 17 games.  They have scored the second-fewest runs in Major League Baseball with 79 (only the New York Mets have scored fewer with 71).  And they have struck out over ten times a game over the first 29 games of the season!

Almost none of this is the fault of new manager A.J. Hinch (pictured above), he has tried to hit and run and be more aggressive on the basepaths.  But they have what I call, a 4A lineup.  That's a team that's a better than the Triple A Toledo Mud Hens, but not good enough to compete over a whole season in MLB.

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Look at the lineup currently.  Only third baseman Jeimer Candelario is hitting decently (.278).  Robbie Grossman is hitting .196, catcher Wilson Ramos has six home runs but is barely hitting .200 (.218 actually), Jacoby Jones isn't hitting his weight (unless his weight is .140).  And of course, $30 million man Miguel Cabrera is hitting .115 at this point.

After a strong start, Akil Baddoo is down to .203 and striking out a ton.  Niko Goodrum is hitting .203, Jonathan Schoop is batting .191.  I'll stop there.

It's too bad because they've gotten decent starting pitching.  Jose Urena is 1-4 despite a 3.53 ERA.  Matt Boyd is 2-3 with an outstanding 2.27 ERA (he's injured right now which is a concern).  Michael Fulmer and Spencer Turnbull have also been good in spots.

They better turn it around quick, otherwise trade talk as we get closer to the trade deadline (July 31st) will get louder in Detroit.  Daniel Norris and Jose Urena are free agents after the season.  Matthew Boyd is a free agent after next season (if there even is a 2022 season).  All are trade candidates in July, IMO.  Michael Fulmer could get some trade interest, too.

If they keep on struggling, you have to take a look at GM Al Avila as well as the minor league development hierarchy and make changes there.  They are just not getting it done right now.

Frustration is growing with the fanbase.  Kansas City, Chicago, Oakland, Baltimore, et al, are all ahead of the Tigers in terms of a rebuild.  It'll be 4 years since the teardown started in 2017.  You look at the Tigers now and you tell me where they're at!!  Last place, that's where!!

 

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