MLB 2K9: Detroit Tigers Franchise

[GVROC6810]

So I've been reading the threads posted by other users about their franchise and I'm loving them! I think it's awesome people are on here talking about their individual franchise, so I'm gonna create and update my Detroit Tiger thread daily with news, scores and highlights of my franchise!

Detroit Tigers 2009 Season Preview

GVROC6810 has taken over as GM of the Detroit Tigers and is looking forward to great years ahead for the Tigers organization. After struggling mightily to a 73-89 record in 2008, the Tigers decided to remain quiet on the Free Agent front in the off-season, even with big names like Manny Ramirez and Pedro Martinez being available.

"Our lineup, if it lives up to potential, is as deadly as they come in baseball. With Granderson leading us off, and names such as Polanco, Ordonez, Cabrera, Guillen and Sheffield following, I feel very confident in our lineup. However, with that, they must live up to potential, especially Sheff. Even he doesn't rebound from last season's struggles we will have to look elsewhere for a DH," said GVROC6810.

Offense was never really the issue for the Tigers last season, though, as the pitching, most notably the relievers were about as bad as they come. The pitching never came around the entire season and the Tigers brass feels as though it was more of just a down year than a sign of things to come, and are banking on improvements to be made quickly.

"We need Verlander to become the ace of our staff again. Bonderman needs to stay healthy. Galaragga needs to build on the stellar rookie season he had last year. Jackson needs to produce like he did last season, and Willis is being payed way too much money to be released and nobody bit on a trade this off-season, so we'll see how he fares to start the season. If he doesn't perform up to the standard we expect from him, then a move will be made," said GVROC6810.

Here is what the Tigers will bring to the table this season both offensively and defensively-

Lineup-

1. Granderson CF
2. Polanco 2B
3. Ordonez RF
4. Cabrera 1B
5. Guillen LF
6. Sheffield DH
7. Laird C
8. Inge 3B
9. Everett SS

Bench-

Treanor C
Thames LF
Larish 3B/OF
Santiago SS

Rotation-

1. Verlander RHP
2. Bonderman RHP
3. Galaragga RHP
4. Jackson RHP
5. Willis LHP

Bullpen-

Dolsi RHP
Rincon RHP
Seay LHP
Rapada LHP
Rodney RHP

Set-Up Man-

Lyon

Closer-

Zumaya

It's going to be a very interesting season for the Tigers. A lot of people are unsure if the moves, or lack there of, in the off-season will make this team any better than there were in '08. However, GM GVROC6810 believes they have enough talent to compete with the best of the best in baseball for '09!

"The players have to go out and play the game of baseball that I know, and the rest of the organization knows they are capable of. If they can just do that, then we will do special things this season!"

Upcoming Game: Season Opener vs. Toronto (Rogers Centre- Toronto, ON)- Verlander (11-17 4.84 ERA in '07) vs. Halladay (20-11 2.78 ERA in '07)

[GVROC6810]

Tigers, Verlander win 1-0 on Opening Day

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Toronto 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 1
Detroit 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 2

WP- Verlander (1-0) (8 1/3 IP, 0 Runs, 0 ER, 4 K's, 0 BB's)
LP- Halladay (0-1) (9 IP, 1 Run, 0 ER, 3 K's, 1 BB)
S- Zumaya (1)

2B- DET: Ordonez (1)
3B- None
RBI- DET: Ordonez (1)
HR- None

After a couple years of struggling, Roy Halladay returned to form last season and became a serious contender for the A.L. Cy-Young Award. He showed that type of ability again on Opening Day as he pitched a complete game, allowing only one run against a strong Detroit Tigers lineup.

However, it didn't prove enough, as Justin Verlander, the ace of the Tigers who struggled last season, pitched 8 1/3 shutout innings to lead the Tigers to their first win of the '09 season.

"After the struggles I went through last season, it is nice to get '09 started the way I wanted to. There were a few pitches I'd like to have back, but my defense played great and Zoom closed the door for us," said Verlander.

A pitchers battle throughout, there were opportunities to be had by both teams, however, every time one presented themselves, both Halladay and Verlander shut the door quickly.

It was not until there were two outs in the 9th inning that the Tigers finally broke the scoreless tie. Polanco was safe at first on an error by Blue Jay 2B Marco Scuatro (a play that should have been ruled a base hit) and Magglio Ordonez followed by driving a one-strike sinker to the gap in right-center field for an RBI double.

"It would have been a tough play for any second baseman, so I wouldn't really call that an error," said Halladay, "it's my job to get the last out of the inning and I had two opportunities to do so and didn't do it."

Ordonez was out at third trying to stretch it into a triple, but the run had already scored and it was up to the Tigers bullpen to hold onto the lead.

After getting the first out in the ninth, manager Jim Leyland replaced Verlander with closer Joel Zumaya, and despite a two-out single, Zoom closed the door on the Blue Jays and got the Tigers to a 1-0 start in the '09 season!

"After all the struggles our bullpen had last season it was nice for Joel to get in there and get 'er done tonight," said Leyland, "now if we can do that all season I'll be happy."

The Tigers will continue the three-game set with the Blue Jays tomorrow evening as Jeremy Bonderman looks to take the Tigers to a 2-0 record.



** If anybody knows how to change the font (style, color, size, etc.) and could let me know that would be awesome. Trying to make it a little better looking than just a post! Thanks! **

[I0I HaVoK I0I]

Nice win man

[GVROC6810]

Offense heats up as Tigers start 2-0

Inning 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E

Toronto 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 10 0
Detroit 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 5 17 2

WP- Bonderman (1-0) (7 IP, 3 Runs, 2 ER, 1 K, 0 BB's)
LP- Marcum (0-1) (6 1/3 IP, 5 Runs, 5 ER, 2 K's, 0 BB's)
S- Zumaya (2)

2B- DET: Granderson (1), Cabrera 2 (2), Ordonez (2) TOR: Barajas (1)
3B- None
HR- DET: Guillen (1) TOR: Rolen (1)
RBI- DET: Laird (1), Cabrera (1), Guillen (1), Ordonez (1), Sheffield (1) TOR: Rolen (1), Wells (1)

Errors- DET: Everett 2 (2)

Bonderman will be the first person to tell you that first innings are not very kind to him, that, coupled with nerves after not pitching since June '08 made for a very long first inning for him on Tuesday.

A two-error play by SS Adam Everett did not help matters, as Bonderman gave up two runs, one earned, in the first after the Tigers offense jump-started him to a early 3-0 lead.

"I'm sure the guys wanted to kill me after nearly giving back the three-run lead they got for me, but it worked out, I settled down and we held on for the win tonight," said Bonderman.

The Tigers offense was on fire, as the top-five hitters in the lineup combined to go 13-24 with four doubles, a home run and scored all five runs the Tigers produced.

"Yeah, it was nice to get 17 hits on the board, but at some point we're going to have to push more than five of those across the plate," said Leyland. A problem Detroit struggled mightily with last season.

After pitching a 1-2-3 7th inning, the Tigers decided to rely on the set-up man and the closer to preserve the two-run lead.

Lyon came on to pitch a perfect eighth inning, however, Joel Zumaya was far from perfect in the 9th. Even though Zoom struck out the side, he loaded the bases before finally retiring the final hitter of the night for the victory.

"I think I looked a little bit like Todd Jones out there last night. It wasn't the prettiest thing in the world, and I will have to improve. At the end of the night though, it's a save and a victory for the Tigers," said Zumaya.

The Tigers will look to go 3-0 tomorrow and get the series win as Armando Galarraga goes to the hill, looking to build on his stellar rookie season.

[bluejays1992-93]

"After a couple years of struggling, Roy Halladay returned to form last season and became a serious contender for the A.L. Cy-Young Award."
What, when exactly was he struggling? Or is this just in your franchise?

[GVROC6810]

Willis, Robertson and Thames all traded away

It was no surprise to anybody at the beginning of the season when new GM, GVROC6810 announced that Dontrelle Willis, Nate Robertson and Marcus Thames would all be on the trading block.

It is a surprise to some that all three were moved on the second day of the regular season, and two of them will be traveling to the same ballpark.

The first move of the day came when the Chicago Cubs called and offered SS Ryne Theriot to the Tigers in exchange for Dontrelle Willis. GVROC6810 accepted the offer without hesitation, even though the signing of Adam Everett took place not too long ago.

"We needed to move Willis to clear some salary, and to get a good, young shortstop in Theriot in return, in my opinion is a steal. He has had a very nice start to his career and is also a good defensive player. He will fit nicely into our lineup," said GVROC6810.

To make room for Theriot, the Tigers released SS Adam Everett, a player that was called upon mainly for his defensive skills. However, after committing two errors and being held hitless through the first two games, the move was made.

"He's a good player, and he's going to find a new home quickly. It's nothing personal against Adam, it's a move that is being made to better our organization," said GVROC6810.

Later in the day, the Tigers got word that the Giants were looking to move P Barry Zito to the Tigers in exchange for Willis. The idea was thrown out there to see if they would take Robertson and Thames instead, and the offer was made.

The Giants accepted instantly, and although Zito brings a heavy salary and an '08 season he would rather forget with him, the Tigers believe a change in scenery will do a lot of good for him.

"I am excited to get into Detroit and be the fifth starter for that organization. I know expectations will be high for me there, and I plan on living up to them," said Zito.

To replace Thames on the roster, the Tigers recalled Ryan Raburn from AAA Toledo.

If Zito returns in any way to the type of pitcher he was prior to moving to San Francisco, the Tigers could have very well found the fifth starter they've been searching for and better.

"I look forward to seeing what Zito brings to this rotation. We're hoping his struggles from last year are behind him and he can return to the Barry of old," said GVROC6810.

Both players plan on traveling to Toronto for Wednesday's series finale, and Theriot is scheduled to be in the lineup for the game.

Trade recap-

CHI Gets: Dontrelle Willis (LHP)
DET Gets: Ryan Theriot (SS)

SFG Gets: Nate Robertson (LHP) AND Marcus Thames (LF)
DET Gets: Barry Zito (LHP)

DET recalls Ryan Raburn (UTL) from AAA Toledo

[GVROC6810]

You're right, he wasn't really "struggling", but he wasn't really the Halladay of old. Limited innings due to injury in '04 and '05, then in '06 and '07 he was good, but not the dominant presence he used to be. He returned to that form last season, and I'd be shocked if he didn't do it again this season as well. The guy is an absolute stud pitcher.

[I0I HaVoK I0I]

Good luck with this chise

[soldaderyan]

Barry Zito'??? any good reason bro?

[Eviper4412]

How did you get CPU to offer you a trade so quick?

[loonyadam]

nice chise im doing a tiger one too

[Beefcake2135]

nice chise im doing a tiger one too
Good work man, Im doing a Tigers chise as well, dont steal my name awesome name though Loonyadam....Eye of the Tiger: A Tigers Franchise....thats sweet

[Ferrari997]

I'm confused....it says you traded Willis for Theriot. And then it says you traded Willis for Zito...