While it isn’t very easy to grade coaches, we can only really focus on the results put forth by the team on the field and assume that it is a response to some of the coaching techniques and methods provided by the coaching staff.
Coaching styles have changed drastically over the years, and now coaches are also expected to be able to babysit million dollar egos, provide psychological analysis, be stern…but not too stern in pushing his players to strive for perfection, all the while attempting to save their own butts in what has become a quick change revolving door position.
With that being said, here is a breakdown of your Detroit Tigers coaching staff through the pre All-Star portion of the 2008 season.
Manager – Jim Leyland
Heading into this season, everyone was comfortable with Leyland being the guy that would lead this team to glory. After the start that the Tigers had, many were quick to jump all over Leyland, suggesting he’s lost his edge. Fair enough, I can see that argument.
However, the makings of a good coach, is one that will make adjustments, take away the attention from a struggling player, and accept the blame publically to protect his players. Leyland has done that with great ease. Unfortunately, the makings of a great coach, is to get the most out of a player, or even more than you can expect and always have them playing at a premiere level.
Not too happy with how things are going?
94 games into the season, we can see that that has been an issue with this team, as they haven’t been able to put together a clean stretch where all the elements are running on high octane at the same time. If they’re getting the pitching, the hitting isn’t there. Should their bats run wild, the pitching is sluggish. If both are running smoothly, the defense makes a key mistake.
So, should that all be placed on Leyland back? No, but in an era where the players have become the indispensable component, Leyland would be the first to go should an axe have to drop. I’m not a big fan of the amount of changes Leyland makes, as every night welcomes a new batting order, positional swap, etc.
On the flip-side though, you’ve got to give him credit for trying everything in trying to fix some of the concerns this team has shown. With Leyland and the way that he is managing this team, I just wonder if the fire is still there.
Grade: C+
General Manager – Dave Dombrowski
Prior to this season, it would have been a unanimous A in his off-season acquisitions of Edgar Renteria, Jacque Jones and blue-chipper Miguel Cabrera. Add in the fact that he locked up some key players long-term (Curtis Granderson, Nate Robertson and Dontrelle Willis to name a few) and it seemed as if the Tigers would be an “it” team for a long time. However, things haven’t translated as smoothly in the real world, and while the Tigers have struggled, a couple of guys that they gave up have shown signs to prove the Tigers wrong for giving up on them.
Jair Jurrjens’ the big piece dished in the Renteria move has had a great rookie season. After a solid audition late last year, the sure-handed Brave has been tremendous early on. Andrew Miller has been a bit of good and bad, and the currently injured Cameron Maybin has been average at best toiling in AA-ball.
Oops…maybe we dished this kid to soon. And to Atlanta again (cough…John Smoltz) OUCH!
A pair of those contract extensions have been disasters though, with Robertson having a poor showing and Willis’ performance being disastrous. Add to the mix that Gary Sheffield has done nothing but struggled in a Tigers uniform since signing a $14 million two-year extension, adding to the confusing moves.
Needless to say, if the Tigers were blowing away the competition, he would be a genius. Unfortunately for his sake, the Tigers have been less than spectacular, which has raised a few eyebrows and proposed a few questions as to whether or not the moves made by “The Great Dombrowski” are in fact great.
The team has gotten older, and the prospects have been mined away, leaving the Tigers in a tighter window to win. At least with a great owner on board that finally seems dedicated to winning, there will be money to spend and toss at high-priced talent.
Grade: B-
Hitting Coach – Lloyd McClendon
In not getting fired after the stagnant 2-month non-hitting spree, McClendon seems to have been able to work out a few kinks. With professional hitters like Polanco and Ordonez in the mix, it makes Lloyd look like a MENSA member at times. But, I commend him for his work with Curtis Granderson, as well as with the young guys like Thomas, Joyce and Larish as I’m sure he has given them some skills to allow them to perform the way that they have.
With two players already over the .300 mark (Ordonez at .307 and Polanco at .302) the Tigers have another shot at having a team average close to .285 with several other creeping up to that .300 mark. (Granderson .292, Pudge .288 and both Cabrera and Guillen at .284) Sitting 6th overall in BA, a combination of power and the ability to spread the ball around, causes great concern for the opposition.
Grade: C+
Pitching Coach – Chuck Hernandez
Lots of question marks here. I’d like to start with the fact that Hernandez didn’t spend enough time with Dontrelle Willis in spring training in an attempt to lighten up his delivery and breaking down his mechanics. When Verlander was struggling, Hernandez should have been able to tell him to simplify things, and helped guide him out. In my eyes, Justin has been the one that has worked out of this. Nate Robertson has been lackluster all season, and hasn’t been able to pull himself out of the funk, has he changed his mechanics much? Not really.
So, it makes me wonder, just what exactly is Chuck Hernandez doing? It’s easy to ignore his presence or not give him the accolades when things are going well, as was the case in 2006; however, a good pitching coach can have a great staff on a horrible team. Hernandez is paid to work his pitchers through the grinds of a grueling 162 schedule and if you ask me, he isn’t doing his job all that well.
That’s you Chuck! Just sit around and collect that paycheck
Grade: D
Infield Coach – Rafael Belliard
Defensively the Tigers can be spectacular, or downright awful. They seem to be turning a corner as the corner spots are finally being settled in by first-timers Carlos Guillen at the hot corner and Miguel Cabrera at first. What seemed to be a huge issue after about a month or so of the switch, the comfort level has gone way up. Some of the credit has to go to Belliard, as I’m sure he has worked hard on their foot-work as well as their repetitions. Up the middle, Renteria has been solid and Polanco defensively is one of the leagues best. Nothing needs to be said about Pudges’ ‘D’ as I’m sure Belliard can learn a thing or two from him.
Grade: B
Outfield Coach – Andy Van Slyke
Haven’t heard a negative thing about this guy and his coaching style. He has guided Curtis Granderson into an elite defensive CF in a cavernous outfield at Comerica, and helped along the youngsters placed in the other two spots when called upon. Marcus Thames has also shown flairs of defensive ability, and has improved his game greatly under the guidance of one of the best defensive outfielders in recent history.
Grade: B+
OVERALL GRADE: C
As a whole, a lot of the things that they are doing over time has helped the development of the team. This group is a tight-knit group that is very comfortable with each other and has the ability to do great things. However, .500 is not acceptable for the 3rd highest payroll in the game. With only 64 games remaining on the schedule, hopefully a great 2nd half can make us forget about all that has been wrong with the 1st half.
