Three Needs for 2012

2011 was a memorable year for the Tigers. We will look back for a lifetime remembering Justin Verlander's Cy Young and MVP, Miguel Cabrera's batting title, and defeating the Yankees in the ALDS. However, we will also remembering getting trounced by the Rangers, our diminished bullpen, and lack of offensive productivity from our tired line-up in the ALCS. We fell short and need to make changes for 2012. Here are three changes that could make 2012 even more memorable than 2011.

1.) Forget about Joel Zumaya.

89 mph won't cut it for Joel.

We need to begin to look elsewhere for a solid 7th inning man. Joel Zumaya is not this man. He may have been key to our 2006 run to the world series, but that was now 6 seasons ago and he has not been able to contribute in the past 6 years. Whether we sign a LOOGY like a Darren Oliver, or place more emphasis upon Al Alburquerque, we can no longer place any hope in Joel Zumaya as his 126.1 innings over the past 5 years has kept our bullpen from getting a proper flow. 

2.) Forget about Garza and go with Oliver.

Bring on the 89 mph funk.

Matt Garza is all the talk right now. While his 3.31 ERA in 2011 was even better than his 3.91 ERA with Tampa in 2010, let's remember that we have a rotation filled with righties and Jacob Turner well on his way. We don't need another right handed starter. We need a lefty to step in and fill some innings. A solid lefty will give a different look to hitters over the course of a 3 or 4 game series and will finally give an opportunity to Andy Oliver to finally step into the roll that we need him to fill. There may be growing pains, but looking over the next 10 years, we need to give him some experience and now is our opportunity to do this. 

3.) Remember Yoenis Cespedes and trade Delmon Young for Martin Prado. 

Cespedes is a beast. Check out his swing, work ethic and strength in this Youtube that was made about him. His natural skills with his horse-like tenacity could provide stability in left field for us, a place that has been lacking with the likes of Carlos Guillen and Ryan Raburn for years. We have 30 million of Magglio, Carlos and Brad money to spend and this is the place to spend it. We need to outbid the Yankees and lock this guy up for at least the next three years. Prado will fill one of our other weak spots... 2B. He may have plateaued, but his consistency will solidify what Carlos Guillen, Ryan Raburn, Will Nursery Rhymes, and Ramon Santiago could not accomplish last year. What to do with 3B and that one guy that Tiger's fans continue to love? That will require another post.