Tigers' Den (Home of the Detroit Tigers)

[rdnk]

Is anyone else more worried about the 2B situation than the 3B situation?

Throughout his career, Cabrera was only around -4 (UZR) at worst fielding 3B, still below average but hardly catastrophic. However, at second base, we get to see a Santiago/Raburn platoon. Neither of them are good hitters; Santiago is about average defensively at 2B (last year he was 1.1) and Raburn was bad (-6.4; error machine). This has me worried at about 2B, as we aren't getting good defense or good production.

[Kruza]

It's definitely not an ideal situation for the Tigers in dealing with how to handle second base this season.

With that said, I would rather see Ramon Santiago play most of the games at second base. However, if Ryan Raburn swings a hot bat early in the season then I would favor him instead.

And Inge? Pffft!

Kruza

[Kruza]

It's been reported by several sources that Doug Fister has been placed on the 15-day DL.

I wonder who will be making the spot starts in Fister's place while he's out.

Kruza

[Psyblast]

[fugazi]

Brandon Inge has been released...

I'd take him in chicago just so there could be a decent veteran around to exert a positive influence on the younger players... We don't have much of that.

[rdnk]

Oakland signed Inge. Young is on the restricted list. After a good start, hopefully we're getting all of these problems (5 game losing streak) out of the way so we don't have to deal with them later.

I still think Dombowski should have went out and gotten a real 2B.

Smyly has been outstanding. With Porcello and Scherzer pitching like they have been, Fister is needed more than ever.

[Kruza]

I did not expect the Tigers to be only four games out of first place coming into today, considering how inconsistent this ball club has been from the very beginning. But it's certainly a blessing.

At any rate, the Tigers have to put it together after the All-Star break. There's not much time left to be trying to right the ship at this point of the season.

Kruza

[Sportsforever]

Man...didn't realize how quiet this Tiger's thread has been this year. Definitely surprised at the inconsistency this team has shown over the first half.

[rdnk]

As of July 6th, the Tigers are at .500. To be fair, it wasn't that much different from last year. We really need Boesch, Avila, Peralta, and Young to start hitting. Santiago and Raburn weren't expected to be big contributors, but we still need a real 2B as this has been worse than imagined. Berry has been a nice surprise. Fister should be in line for a big second half.

[rdnk]

Two weeks later, the Tigers take the lead in the division. Next, we have to hold it and get at least a 2B at the deadline. They'll be looking at other pitchers too, apparently they're interested in Shields and Garza; you know how they like former Rays pitchers.