Team Preview: Dave Tomke

Did you know that a Google image search of Dave Tomke yields a photo of Ed and Jamie in just the fifth spot? Scary.

Dave Tomke, the late arriving, energetic wang mongrel staged a late entry into this year’s draft in much the same way he made a late surge up the 2007 VUFSA baseball standings. Thanks to a couple Jimmy Rollins swiped bases on the last day of the season (not that I am bitter or anything), Tomke saw his first money finish in the VUFSA, which he promptly forfeited by not paying dues. Nonetheless, 2008 looks to be the first year in which he manages to win and pocket the proceeds.

The Outfield

The outfield looks strong for Dave as he places Carl Crawford, Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Lee, and Curtis Granderson. All of whom stole double digit bases and scored 90+ runs. Soriano and Lee boast happy homer totals of 30 plus each. Curtis Granderson had a monster year at the top of an impressive Tigers line-up that grew more impressive with the acquisition of Miguel Cabrera. The recent pick-up of Rick Ankiel should help out while Curtis heals up.

(I wrote this recap of his outfield prior to the trade that sent Lee to JR's team. I liked this move for Tomke and write more so on it later.)

Outfield Grade: 3.5 wolf howls out of 4.

The Infield

Speaking of Miguel, he joins Tomke’s 2008 crusade securing a dominant force at the hot corner after posting career highs in homers and RBIs last season. At the other corner, the late blooming Carlos Pena will try to match ridiculous numbers from last season. Pena swatted 46 home runs, equaling his homer total from the three previous years combined.

The middle of the infield isn’t quite as attractive as the corners, but Edgar Renteria and Howie Kendrick are serviceable enough. With three Tigers in the starting line-up, as Detroit goes, so Tomke goes. Brian McCann was the top rated available catcher in the draft and boosts the overall infield prospects.

Infield Grade: 2.5 wolf howls out of 4.

Starting Rotation

The starting rotation lacks a dominant option. John Maine and Ted Lilly both won 15 games, but aren’t the type of pitchers to build an overpowering rotation around. Phil Hughes and Matt Garza are a couple of young pups who need good years to fill out Tomke’s rotation. And what the hell happened to dear Bondo last year? +5 ERA?

(See, this is what I meant when I said his starting pitching needed help. That trade that brought Aaron Harang and Chien Ming Wang was a must do and did a nice job of addressing a serious weakness with a strength. And scratch all that stuff about Garza who Tomke has already dropped.)

Starting Rotation Grade: 2.5 wolf howls out of 4.

Relief Pitching

Dave’s options at the relief spot go from great to awful to Asian. K-Rod is a top notch closer and with Anaheim in contention in the AL West, should have plenty of save opportunities until that goofy ass wind up blows out his arm in an injury that should have happened 3 years ago. Following Rodriguez is the considerably less impressive Joe Borowski. Joe sucks. I hate him very much. If he did not close for my beloved Cleveland Indians, I would wish harm on him. Them there is Hideki Okajima who will help out in the ERA and WHIP fields.

Relief Pitchers Grade: Joe Blows makes this a negative 1 wolf howl out of 4.

The big blockbuster that kicked off Tomke's year was a strong move that addressed concerns without sacrificing too much for Bondo and The Asians. Aaron Harang is a strikeout master and will help that starting rotation while allowing Rick Ankiel a starting spot, a move I like more than I probably should. Okajima leads the league in wins and currently is projected to have 81 by season's end. The two guys I'm most curious about on this ball club are Robinson Cano and Mark Prior. The former has had solid if unspectacular years and the latter I just want to know if there's any value there whatsoever. In the end, I see Jimmy Rollins not stealing bases on the last day of the season, and my team eeking out a 0.5 placing ahead of Tomke's squad.