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Detroit Pistons need to learn from Detroit Tigers’ past mistakes

By Aaron Ferguson

DETROIT, MI - JULY 28: (L-R) The Detroit Lions mascot Roary, Detroit Tigers mascot Paws and Detroit Pistons mascot Hooper stand together on the field during the National Anthem prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Houston Astros at Comerica Park on July 28, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The Astros defeated the Tigers 6-5. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - JULY 28: (L-R) The Detroit Lions mascot Roary, Detroit Tigers mascot Paws and Detroit Pistons mascot Hooper stand together on the field during the National Anthem prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Houston Astros at Comerica Park on July 28, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The Astros defeated the Tigers 6-5. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers Miguel Cabrera and Max Scherzer were building blocks. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Acquiring building blocks

Baseball’s free agency and depth of prospects is far more detailed than the NBA. The Tigers didn’t make many trades to accumulate talent for their stretch run but they did acquire foundational pieces through deals well in advance. They won with a mixture of home-grown talent, free agent signings and the foundational trades.

The first foundational domino was acquiring Max Scherzer, who is still arguably the best pitcher in the game, for Ian Kennedy and Edwin Jackson. Both Kennedy and Jackson are pitching today, Kennedy as the Royals closer and Jackson returned to the Tigers’ rotation. Scherzer was the ace during the Tigers stretch run.

The second impacted the Tigers lineup, and still does, with the acquisition of Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis from the Marlins for Cameron Maybin, Andrew Miller and others. It took a few years before teams slotted Miller into a dominant bullpen role that helped the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians in contending. Maybin is still around, playing outfield for the Yankees.

Cabrera has battled injuries over the past few years but was an elite hitter that has him on a path for the Hall of Fame.

There were plenty more deals to be had that added David Price (Detroit gave up Willy Adames who is an impact player for Tampa Bay), Ian Kinsler, Anibal Sanchez and others to the fold.

Pistons have their building blocks

light. Related Story. Grading the Pistons' 2019 offseason moves

The fruit of selling out to win can bring success, fans to the stands and joyous times to the franchise. The Pistons acquired Jackson and Griffin under Stan Van Gundy’s reign, which has gotten Detroit to the situation its in now with its building blocks.

While it hasn’t led to a championship, the Pistons ended a six-year playoff drought in 2016 and have no been twice in the last four seasons.

Surely the Pistons have improved heading into year two of the Casey era but the big three remains the same with Griffin, Jackson and Drummond. It may have become stale with no room to improve but Stefanski and Casey have until this year’s trade deadline to figure it out with their recent additions.

The next steps are critical and could change the franchise’s path.

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