Who starts Opening Day?

"Jason" <j123.DeleteThis@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:FX%Rb.35702$mf4.1176205@news20.bellglobal.com...
> Mike Maroth vs. Jason Johnson
>
> Although Johnson had better overall numbers in 2003 than Maroth (who
> didn't), I think Maroth has earned the Opening Day start. In the midst of
> losing 21 games and having the national spotlight for a few starts, Maroth
> help up well. He was a loyal trouper throughout the season, he deserves
this
> pat on the back for what was otherwise a dismal season. If Trammell starts
> anyone other than Maroth on April 5 at SkyDome, I'll be disappointed -
> unless Trammell keeps him for the 4th game of the season, which is the
home
> opener against Minnesota. I think Phil Garner did something similar in
2000
> when he named Hideo Nomo the starter in Oakland, and 3 games later, Brian
> Moehler got the first start at Comerica Park. Jason
>
>

I'd say Johnson will start the opener and Maroth would start at home on
Thursday. If not, it would be maroth, Johnson Cornejo in Toronto and
Bonderman in the home opener.
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On Wed, 28 Jan 2004 23:27:46 -0500, "Jason" <j123.RemoveThis@sympatico.ca> wrote:
>Mike Maroth vs. Jason Johnson
>
>Although Johnson had better overall numbers in 2003 than Maroth (who
>didn't), I think Maroth has earned the Opening Day start. In the midst of
>losing 21 games and having the national spotlight for a few starts, Maroth
>help up well. He was a loyal trouper throughout the season, he deserves this
>pat on the back for what was otherwise a dismal season. If Trammell starts
>anyone other than Maroth on April 5 at SkyDome, I'll be disappointed -
>unless Trammell keeps him for the 4th game of the season, which is the home
>opener against Minnesota. I think Phil Garner did something similar in 2000
>when he named Hideo Nomo the starter in Oakland, and 3 games later, Brian
>Moehler got the first start at Comerica Park. Jason

Maroth has pitched in some very tough luck, but he was inconsistent
last year, to put it kindly. Probably Johnson gets the nod, but we'll
see what transpires during the spring ...

I see that Cody Ross' knee is now 100% - that is great news. He
should be a strong contender for a roster spot, with his competition
being the likes of Marcus Thames, Omar Infante, Andres Torres, and
Greg Norton. I'd bet a pound 'o pierogi AND a pound of kielbasa on
Cody at this point !!



Andy.
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At this point, I'd say Johnson would be the opening day starter, but I'd
like to see how both performs in spring training. I also agree with DY
about Cody Ross winning the 5th outfielder spot, unless he's in the plans
for an upcoming trade. I have a hunch DD isn't done dealing and signing.

"Da Yooper" <somedude RemoveThis @somewhere.net> wrote in message
news:401925f1.13808287@news.highstream.net...
> On Wed, 28 Jan 2004 23:27:46 -0500, "Jason" <j123 RemoveThis @sympatico.ca> wrote:
> >Mike Maroth vs. Jason Johnson
> >
> >Although Johnson had better overall numbers in 2003 than Maroth (who
> >didn't), I think Maroth has earned the Opening Day start. In the midst of
> >losing 21 games and having the national spotlight for a few starts,
Maroth
> >help up well. He was a loyal trouper throughout the season, he deserves
this
> >pat on the back for what was otherwise a dismal season. If Trammell
starts
> >anyone other than Maroth on April 5 at SkyDome, I'll be disappointed -
> >unless Trammell keeps him for the 4th game of the season, which is the
home
> >opener against Minnesota. I think Phil Garner did something similar in
2000
> >when he named Hideo Nomo the starter in Oakland, and 3 games later, Brian
> >Moehler got the first start at Comerica Park. Jason
>
> Maroth has pitched in some very tough luck, but he was inconsistent
> last year, to put it kindly. Probably Johnson gets the nod, but we'll
> see what transpires during the spring ...
>
> I see that Cody Ross' knee is now 100% - that is great news. He
> should be a strong contender for a roster spot, with his competition
> being the likes of Marcus Thames, Omar Infante, Andres Torres, and
> Greg Norton. I'd bet a pound 'o pierogi AND a pound of kielbasa on
> Cody at this point !!
>
>
>
> Andy.
 >> Stay informed about: Who starts Opening Day? 

I agree that DD might not be done dealing. I think that if we land IROD
another starter may be mandatory either by free agency or trade. I would
think that Pudge presence would make a starter want to join the team,
and with all the improvements in the roster there will be more impetus
to strengthen the pitching more. I am sorry, but Johnson doesn't impress
me (basically a 500 pitcher)and neither does Maroth (21 losses however
he was strong for up to 6 innings). My bet is that whoever has the
strongest spring will take the honor if there isn't a deal made for an
established winner

Fred
 >> Stay informed about: Who starts Opening Day? 

"Fred Thomson" <fjthom DeleteThis @webtv.net> wrote in message
news:11040-40192467-191@storefull-3351.bay.webtv.net...
I am sorry, but Johnson doesn't impress
> me (basically a 500 pitcher)and neither does Maroth (21 losses however
> he was strong for up to 6 innings). My bet is that whoever has the
> strongest spring will take the honor if there isn't a deal made for an
> established winner
>
I would hope that Trammell would use ST to get players ready to play and not
to audition for opening day. There is no real doubt, barring injury or a
trade, that Johnson will start. He's an average pitcher on a below-average
staff. There are no FA pitchers left worth picking up, and the possibilty of
a trade for an established starter is v. slim. It may still be possible to
add to the BP, which could certainly use another good arm. And the Tigers
should get someone who can hit for the bench. You have guys you might want
to PH for in at least 4 positions (assuming Pudge signs), so a good hitter
off the bench will get some action.
 >> Stay informed about: Who starts Opening Day? 

>From: somedude RemoveThis @somewhere.net (Da Yooper)
>Date: 1/29/2004 10:29 AM Eastern Standard Time
>Message-id: <401925f1.13808287 RemoveThis @news.highstream.net>

>I'd bet a pound 'o pierogi AND a pound of kielbasa on
>Cody at this point !!
>

Mmmmmmmmm...... kraut pierogi and kielbasa with a little bit of
horseradish..... mmmmmmmmmm.......


Casimir
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So we are all in agreement that Nate Cornejo will start on opening day.
LOL
I still say that the spring training performance will dictate the
starter and not past records

Fred
 >> Stay informed about: Who starts Opening Day? 

"Fred Thomson" <fjthom DeleteThis @webtv.net> wrote in message
news:16801-401A1597-288@storefull-3353.bay.webtv.net...
> So we are all in agreement that Nate Cornejo will start on opening day.
> LOL
> I still say that the spring training performance will dictate the
> starter and not past records
>
You may be right, but ST performance is a really bad guide, so we can hope
that Treammell will look at more reliable stats. Still, the Tigers have a
major PR problem after the 199 loss season, so the choice may be dictated by
who they want to open at Comerica. and that might be affected by ST
publicity. Who opens does not matter much, so I guess it is fine to make the
decision based on marketing rathen than on baseball considerations.
 >> Stay informed about: Who starts Opening Day? 

Typo alert --- 119 not 199 <grin>. And Trammelll, not whatever I typed.

"McDuck" <wallymcduckDELETEME.DeleteThis@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:N7GdncGxPLcAE4fdRVn-gQ@comcast.com...
>
> "Fred Thomson" <fjthom.DeleteThis@webtv.net> wrote in message
> news:16801-401A1597-288@storefull-3353.bay.webtv.net...
> > So we are all in agreement that Nate Cornejo will start on opening day.
> > LOL
> > I still say that the spring training performance will dictate the
> > starter and not past records
> >
> You may be right, but ST performance is a really bad guide, so we can hope
> that Treammell will look at more reliable stats. Still, the Tigers have a
> major PR problem after the 199 loss season, so the choice may be dictated
by
> who they want to open at Comerica. and that might be affected by ST
> publicity. Who opens does not matter much, so I guess it is fine to make
the
> decision based on marketing rathen than on baseball considerations.
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Who starts Opening Day? 

> >
> You may be right, but ST performance is a really bad guide, so we can hope
> that Treammell will look at more reliable stats. Still, the Tigers have a
> major PR problem after the 199 loss season, so the choice may be dictated
by
> who they want to open at Comerica. and that might be affected by ST
> publicity. Who opens does not matter much, so I guess it is fine to make
the
> decision based on marketing rathen than on baseball considerations.
>
>
It doesn't matter alot later in the year but in the begining, our opening
day starter will be facing the other teams best guy at least for the first
few weeks until the schedule starts to stagger days off and teams skip their
fifth guy.
Whoever starts te opener will be facing Roy Halladay so I think I would much
rather start the home opener against the Twins fourth guy.
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