22nd
April
2008
A few upcoming questions
posted in 2008 season |Right now is an interesting time to comment on the Tigers because there actually are some new questions to be asked an answered. The main theme for the day? The roster, which seems flexible, is actually out of whack.
What happens when Curtis Granderson comes back?
- Granderson should return to the Tigers’ lineup this week. So somebody’s going to have to head down to the minors. That somebody is probably either Clete Thomas — a real bright point for the Tigers this season — or Ryan Raburn.
- The problem right now is the Tigers have too many players who aren’t pulling their weight, or being given a chance to such as Jacque Jones, Marcus Thames and Gary Sheffield. So when you throw in the either-or proposition of Raburn or Thomas, you have to consider how it will affect the team on the whole.
- For Raburn’s ability to play the infield alone, coupled with Placido Polanco’s sore back, and the Tigers’ desire to get Thomas routine playing time, it seems Thomas will head to Toledo while Granderson takes over in center field.
- While this seems like a fine solution, I do wonder if Thomas should be kept up a few days as insurance against Granderson tiring late in games, due to his saying he wasn’t feeling in game shape yet.
- But are there better solutions? Honestly I wouldn’t mind having Thomas in left field regularly, to help the defense and because Jones isn’t really doing much of anything.
- In any case, I really don’t see how the Tigers can send Raburn down.
How long can the Tigers keep playing Pudge so frequently?
- I ask because Pudge has never played more than 127 games in a season at the position with the Tigers and he’s had just two days off in 20 games. So for the reason that projects to 146 games at catcher. You figure that’s not going to happen.
- With Granderson coming back to center field, that might give Brandon Inge more opportunities to step into the backup cacher role. So that’s something to keep an eye on.
- But if Inge continues being the supersub or getting third base playing time — and say Gary Sheffield doesn’t go on the DL but has to take more time off due to his shoulder — how long can the Tigers go without making a move to call up a backup catcher?
- If Sheffield does go on the DL, I think Carlos Guillen can be DH, Cabrera can be 1B, Inge can be 3B and Dane Sardinha (or someone) can get the callup to back up Pudge.
- Oh what a can of sardines that will open. It just seems to be there’s too much dead weight with a full time DH and a platoon in left field.
Is this Marcus Thames/Jacque Jones platoon worth pursuing?
- No. Neither Thames nor Jones has managed to catch any traction. At first, many of us thought left field would be a strong point because Thames can hit lefties and Jones can hit righties. Right now, neither guy is hitting.
- The left field for the Tigers has a .236/.282/.319 avg/obp/slg. That’s just awful.
- The Tigers just have to commit to one or the other, and I’d say find a way to move the guy they don’t commit to, for the sake of roster flexibility.
What happens to Armando Galarraga when Dontrelle Willis comes back?
- Galarraga has been a bright point for the Tigers as he’s the only guy in the rotation who isn’t stinking up the season. He’s 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA and 10 strikeouts.
- But the Tigers have made a commitment to Willis. It’s Willis’ spot in the rotation no matter what. Galarraga is just keeping it warm.
- I think he returns to Toledo.
- I think he SHOULD return to Toledo, too.
- I thought for awhile maybe he could help the bullpen, but no, I think they’ll be OK and I’d rather have Galarraga starting in Toledo as an insurance policy in case anyone gets injured, and let’s face it, someone’s going to get injured.
- Besides, I think the signs are there — too many baserunners is a start — that Galarraga might be pitching a bit better in the short term than we could expect in the long term.
- But I do hope Willis pitches enough in Toledo to get his location down a bit more before returning to the Tigers, because he isn’t really helping the team if he can’t find the strike zone.
- Until then, seeing more Galarraga is definitely a good thing.
Quick comment on Inge –
I hated the guy last year, but now I love the guy and I don’t think the organization should trade him. But what concerns me is how he calls a game. I think Pudge’s big strength is how he handles the staff (not his bat and not his arm).
I wonder if the Tigers are under .500 at the break if they shop Sheff and Pudge and start a run for 09. Sigh.
I think you have to send Thomas down. He still needs regular at bats and has cooled down some lately. If Jones doesn’t start hitting in the next month or two, you trade/release him and bring Thomas back up for the stretch run. If you could find a way to move both Jones and Thames, a Thomas/Raburn platoon in LF looks pretty good.
Agree with you on Galarraga. Part of his success has been pitching out of jams, which can’t last forever. But hopefully his success allows Tigers management to give Willis all the time he needs to make sure he’s healthy and at least somewhat back in control of his stuff.
With the injuries that have piled up, having some depth is good. I also wonder if they shouldn’t just put Sheffield on the DL and see if he can get healthy. He’s just not the same hitter when he’s battling an injury.
I agree with you on Thomas, I don’t see how he stays up the way the roster is constructed. However, if the Tigers can find a taker for Jones (not very likely) or Thames (more likely) he could stay. I also agree that there is way too much dead weight. Sheffield/Thames/Jones needs to get broken up, that’s a slow disaster.
I’m not with you on Galarraga, I have imagine that as long as he’s effective as a starter the Tigers will keep him there. I think this because I really don’t see Willis getting his stuff straight in the minors all that quickly. Galarraga is like the bizarro Willis. Very little flair, very compact wind up. I think as long as he’s dealing and Willis is struggling it’ll be Galarraga.