Guillen to LF: weird!
posted in 2008 season |OK, when we first heard Carlos Guillen would be playing a bit in left field, my first thought was “He can’t play first. His knees hurt. His range is bad. How can he play in the outfield?” I figured it was like the Gary Sheffield to LF experiment: ultimately bound for doom, desperate, and strange for a guy who should probably be DH-ing to be playing the field. My second thought was, “Didn’t Jim Leyland just promise Marcus Thames a full-time spot in left field?”
Obviously, I like the Tigers playing Brandon Inge more often at third base, because his game-changing defense makes up for his lack of hitting. I am confused as to how often Guillen will in left field, however, or why Leyland wants him to play there. I know it’s early, but CleteThomasMattJoyce Jeff Larish is not exactly tearing things up as the designated hitter. I guess Leyland could be making preparations for when Gary Shefield returns and he needs to get Guillen in the lineup. That makes sense. But why jerk around Marcus Thames by calling him the everyday left fielder in one instance and starting Guillen out there only days later? Why not bat Thames at DH if he’s not in the field? He’s proven himself unlike the latest AAA flavor of the week (no offense to Larish, who I hope thrives in the role.)
Desperate times call for desperate measures, I guess. But nothing this year seems to be all that well managed by the organization.
As for Guillen in the outfield, I thought he did fine. I wasn’t watching the whole game, I had the radio on for much of it. But it sounded like he had no problems out there, and the video I saw of him, he broke right for the ball, he had no problems getting to it, and frankly, I thought he did a nice job overall. (Mlive reports he was 4 for 4 in his chances.) I’m sure it can work fine. It’s just weird the way the team is going about the move — and I haven’t even commented on starting Dontrelle Willis for half the game Tuesday with Armando Galarraga relieving for the second half. Yet.
And a word on Guillen himself: he’s a trouper. It’s said when Leyland brought this idea to him, he said he’d try it for the team. That makes the third defensive position he’s been asked to play this season. I haven’t heard a word about him grumbling. He does what the team asks, and through it all he continues to hit. That really continues to earn my respect for him. I’m glad he’s a Tiger.
Sphere It
Free Marcus Thames (again)!
I love Guillen. Most guys would complain about getting moved around so much, especially a guy like Guillen who is a former All Star at SS. If guy ever had a right to complain, it’s him. I’m glad he’s not and I’m glad he’s on the club.
Very weird but I have to tip my hat to Guillen for doing it.
He still is a horrible defensive player. This move will cost us, you’ll see. Cost us big. Maybe Leyland missed his calling and should have been a mad scientist. I love Inge at 3B but don’t dis Thames like that. F@#*#@ the management. I hate all of them. I am sincerely pissed. Plus, another walk-off win by Oakland, again. I’m out.