Christmas is almost here and it is time to look at the list and check it twice for beleaguered Tigers.
Dear Santa,
You were soooooo good to us last year! You gave us Miguel Cabrerra and Edgar Renteria. We thought you had given us the American League on a platter. As you know it didn't quite work out that way so we are asking you for some more gifts this year. Dave Dombrowski has found a short stop and a catcher to help with the defense. They picked up a pitcher too, but it's hard to tell if he will be a starter or head to the bullpen.
So Santa, what we really need from you right now are some pitchers. Some good pitchers so we can feel a little bit better about 2009. You see, we have hitters. We have Ordonez, Granderson, Cabrerra, Thames, Sheffield and Guillen. It isn't about scoring runs. It's about keeping the other team from scoring runs. So we need a closer, because Rodney just scares me so much. My hands shake so much that I can't put ornaments on the tree if I think about him coming to the mound with less than a 5 run lead. So yes, a real bona-fide closer would be great for Christmas this year. And maybe someone to take over in the 7th inning for the starters. Someone who won't allow baserunners to score very often. Someone like the 2006 version of Rodney.
Perhaps Santa you could give us a healthy Joel Zumaya. Wrap him in bubble wrap and put him in a big box with a bow on it that says "Do not open until Opening Day" so nothing hurts him again. You could put Bonderman in there with him, just in case.
By the way, have we said "Thank you!!" enough for Galarraga? Probably not, but that little stocking stuffer was the second best gift of the year for Tiger fans. I still remember his debut against the Indians when he was mowing them down like my kid goes through cupcakes. Then he did it again, and again, and again. The gift that just keeps giving! I can only hope he does as well this year. The stats say a repeat is unlikely, but this is the time of year to wish and dream so I will!
So, just to re-cap Dear St. Nick, here is what we would like for Christmas this year: pitchers, pitchers, pitchers. ERA's somewhere south of 4.0 would be nice.
Please enjoy the cookies under the tree.
Signed,
Joe (and all Tigers' fans)
ps: I still want to believe!!!!
