Delayed Hot Takes

As with everything else, the MLB season has been delayed because of the COVID pandemic.  We were so close to getting into the regular season too.  At the very least, we got to see some live current baseball.  One of the few positives to come out of this pandemic, from a sports perspective, is that classic games are being broadcasted on television in lieu live current games.  I was able to watch three games from the 1984 World Series.  I've seen Gibson's home run in game five so many times it feels like I watched it live, but I have never seen any of the other games.  I mean, I was two years old at the time.  Two games of the 1968 World Series have even been shown.  So that's cool I guess.

Typically, I have taken some time right before the season started to have a little fun making a list of hot takes but everything went sideways.  As we get closer and closer to the season happening (maybe June?  Maybe July?) I can't help but think of making a list again.  It's fun and the Tigers really aren't right now.  The light at the end of the tunnel isn't getting closer unfortunately in this rebuild, but when it is done we might have something resembling a decent major league baseball team to cheer for.  It'll be tough to throw out some numbers because they'll play about half of a season, but lets give it a whirl.  Anyway, here's a fun list of hot takes for the Detroit Tigers 2020 shortened season:

• Niko Goodrum will finish in the top 5 in Gold Glove voting at the shortstop position
• C.J. Cron, Jonathan Schoop, and Miguel Cabrera will combine to hit 55 home runs
• JaCoby Jones will be traded during the season (is there going to be a trade deadline?) and Victor Reyes will be the everyday center fielder
• Dawel Lugo is going to surpass Jeimer Candelario in the depth chart at third base
• Cron and Austin Romine will get contract extensions at the end of the year 
• Goodrum, Reyes, and Cameron Maybin will combine for 40 stolen bases

And now for the pitching side of things:

• Jordan Zimmermann gets DFAd at some point in the season
• Buck Farmer will finish the season with more saves than Joe Jimenez
• At least four different pitchers will record a save for the team
• Casey Mize makes at least one start at the major league level 
• Matthew Boyd will be traded (this makes me sad)
• Matt Manning will get a cup of coffee with the team
• Michael Fulmer will return this year not as a starter, but in the bullpen
• Daniel Norris and Tyler Alexander will combine for 12 wins

Just some random stuff:

• Riley Greene and Kody Clemens will end the year in Toledo
• The Tigers will end the year ahead of four other teams (Baltimore, Miami, Pittsburgh, and Seattle)
• The Tigers will draft batters with their first two picks in the draft
• Ron Gardenhire will sign a new contract after the season