Comments on: AL Central Preview: Detroit Tigers

By: shannon

shannon — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:56:32 +0000

On paper, the Tigers look like THE team to beat. In beefing up their offense by adding Prince, they’ve done even more damage tot heir defense. Let’s be honest: Prince, Swiggy, and Delmon aren’t exactly known for their fielding skills, and the other AL Central teams can more than take advantage of this fact. Doug Fister and Rick Porcello are decent pitchers, and it’s doubtful that Justin Verlander can match or top his 2011.

Of course, if Dave Dombrowski forgets to make his annual sacrifice to Jobu (like Bill Smith did last offseason—here’s hoping that Terry Ryan remembers to sacrifice a bucket of KFC is he hasn’t already done so), the Tigers could be in for a rude awakening.

By: Phil Naessens

Phil Naessens — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:23:44 +0000

Hey,

Good post. As a Tiger fan I’m happy they signed Fielder and I have a theory about all of this. Cabrera isn’t half as good defensively as Inge so what will wind up happening is either Cabrera will DH or platoon with Fielder at First Base. The other one will DH so both big bats will always be in the lineup and if it doesn’t work out then look for a big trade involving Cabrera and a top line pitcher.

Phil

By: frightwig

frightwig — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:34:50 +0000

At the very least, I think they need to give Cabrera enough time at 3B so that he’s ready (or, “ready as he’ll ever be”) for some interleague road games and, if all goes well for them, the World Series. Because if they have to bench Cabrera or Fielder for 3-4 games in the World Series, that’s quite a handicap.

By: AL Central Preview: Cleveland Indians » Knuckleballs - "Like butterflies with hiccups"

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:25:48 +0000

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By: Jim Crikket

Jim Crikket — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:50:21 +0000

I think you’re probably right, frightwig. It’s one thing to call up your franchise guy and say, “we’re signing Fielder, so plan on DHing a lot,” and quite another to say, “we’re signing Fielder, do you think you can still play some 3B?” The same ego that makes a guy resistant to DHing also will force him to say, “hell yeah, I can still play 3B!”

Then you just hope he comes to realize he can’t do it without making a fool of himself before he actually hurts himself trying.

Then again, I’d be fine with either outcome… Cabrera playing 3B or getting hurt trying.

By: frightwig

frightwig — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:48:03 +0000

I figure the Tigers are talking about moving Cabrera to 3rd because now they have two young stars with egos who would like to play in the field, and Cabrera probably still thinks he’s capable of moving back to his old position. So, they will let him try. If it works out reasonably well, Cabrera and Fielder both can stay in the lineup for interleague and World Series games, and the front office knows it can keep Victor Martinez when he’s ready to play again. If it’s an embarrassing disaster, Leyland has his case for telling Cabrera, “You had your chance, but now you and Prince are going to be splitting time at 1B/DH,” and the front office can make plans to deal Martinez next year. In the meantime, the experiment shouldn’t ruin the Tigers’ season, even if it costs the team a couple wins.