Are big changes coming?

**Oblong** · 06-15-2012, 01:50 PM

I don't think it's anything more than the guys they have at 2B are not doing anything special so let's give Raburn another shot... nobody's won the job and Leyland said he's a part timer.

**STLTiger69** · 06-15-2012, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by Oblong

I don't think it's anything more than the guys they have at 2B are not doing anything special so let's give Raburn another shot... nobody's won the job and Leyland said he's a part timer.

+1

Play the less coolest bat that the Tigers have. But for what it is worth, if the Tigers can solve the 2B/SS issue (Peralta might be gone after the 2013 season, so thinking ahead)

For 2012 salaries;

Santiago $2.1M
Raburn $2.1M
Peralta $5.5M

Right now that is $9.7M tied up in two positions.

If the Tigers could get a Jed Lowrie ($1.5M for 2012 and not elgible for free agency until after the 2014 season) and either keep Worth at 2B or Santiago (or move Peralta to 2B) OR even try and poach a young, cost controlled second baseman too would be fantastic.

I keep looking over the list of good SS or 2B and frankly it's a pretty small list. But I would even consider taking a chance and trying to trade for another teams SS/2B minor league prospect that might be able to help soon (another year or two?) as another option.

The Tigers may have to get creative for infield solutions because just having wad of cash isn't going to do a lot to fix the infield situation for the longer term.

**Walt** · 06-15-2012, 04:55 PM

Apparently Dirks isn't close to coming back via the Twittersphere. Achilles injuries can be difficult. I had some really bad tendinitis back around 14 years ago, and I still have regular pain. Nothing terrible usually, but damn it has been a long time.

**Charles Liston** · 06-15-2012, 09:46 PM

It's awfully difficult to win if Crosby is your starter. Fister solves that problem, right?

**mickeyb105** · 06-16-2012, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by STLTiger69

I think if you got to see Trammell and Whitaker play you got to see a golden age for infielders. You probably saw Cal Ripken Jr., Ozzie Smith, Roberto Alomar even Tony Fernandez (and I'm sure I've forgotten a lot others!!). The games changed and the chances of seeing great SS/2B playing in the field today is sort of like seeing a bald eagle in the 1970's. I am struggling to explain why there doesn't seem to be nearly as many defensive standout infielders who can also handle a bat in the game today like it seemed there was in the 80's. Does anyone know if the MLB drug testing policy can check to see if infielders have been exposed to the insecticide DDT?

Tony Fernandez, IMO, is one of the great, forgotten players of the 80's. The guy was everything you'd really need in a SS, but when was the last time you heard anyone mention him for anything but that error he made in the WS when he was washed up and playin 2B for Cleveland?

There is such a premium put on slugging today that I don't know if we'll ever see another generation of really, really good defenders again.

**tiger337** · 06-16-2012, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by Walt

Apparently Dirks isn't close to coming back via the Twittersphere. Achilles injuries can be difficult. I had some really bad tendinitis back around 14 years ago, and I still have regular pain. Nothing terrible usually, but damn it has been a long time.

I had it for months a couple of years back. Several weeks of physical therapy did not work. The last resort was steroids which worked.

**tiger337** · 06-16-2012, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by mickeyb105

There is such a premium put on slugging today that I don't know if we'll ever see another generation of really, really good defenders again.

It think defense is making a comeback. Any time offensive numbers go down as it has the in the last few years, defense becomes more important. I don't know if we'll see too many more Mark Belanger types though. Team defense was an underrated factor on those Earl Weaver pitching and three-run homer teams. Those staffs would not be nearly as successful as they were with out Belanger, Robinson, Blair,etc backing them up.

**Walt** · 06-16-2012, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by tiger337

I had it for months a couple of years back. Several weeks of physical therapy did not work. The last resort was steroids which worked.

I did a bunch of PT, ultrasound, and "Iontho therapy". None really helped a lot. I quit overtraining, which helped.

**tiger337** · 06-16-2012, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by Walt

I did a bunch of PT, ultrasound, and "Iontho therapy". None really helped a lot. I quit overtraining, which helped.

Once I got better and back to running again, stretching more has helped a lot. Also, no sprints at the end of races!

**Hart** · 06-16-2012, 07:56 PM

I think the Cubs would have a hard time turning down Porcello for Dempster. They will not get a top prospect for Dempster because he is a free agent but at least Porcello is a former top prospect who is still young enough that with the right coaching, he could become a really good pitcher.

As a Tiger fan, I don't think the Tigers could say no to this trade either. It seems beneficial to both teams in my mind.

**STLTiger69** · 06-17-2012, 12:10 AM

Originally Posted by Hart

I think the Cubs would have a hard time turning down Porcello for Dempster. They will not get a top prospect for Dempster because he is a free agent but at least Porcello is a former top prospect who is still young enough that with the right coaching, he could become a really good pitcher.

As a Tiger fan, I don't think the Tigers could say no to this trade either. It seems beneficial to both teams in my mind.

I'll help, Dempster is a free agent after this 2012 season is over. With this trade you suggest, the Tigers could be out both Rick Porcello AND Ran Dempster for the 2013 season and beyond.

**Nastradamus** · 06-17-2012, 10:44 AM

We'd probably get a comp pick or another year of Dempster at the least.

**MSUBrian11** · 06-17-2012, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by Nastradamus

We'd probably get a comp pick or another year of Dempster at the least.

They're changing the rules on that. Only way you get a draft pick is if he declines a qualifying offer in the neighborhood of 12-14 million. And the Tigers would never offer him that to begin with

**STLTiger69** · 06-17-2012, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by MSUBrian11

They're changing the rules on that. Only way you get a draft pick is if he declines a qualifying offer in the neighborhood of 12-14 million. And the Tigers would never offer him that to begin with

Also to even be able to give a qualified offer to Dempster, he would have to heve been with the Tigers for the entire 2012 season.......

**irvink** · 06-17-2012, 02:05 PM

Right, no more comp picks for players acquired after Opening Day.

**Nastradamus** · 06-17-2012, 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by MSUBrian11

They're changing the rules on that. Only way you get a draft pick is if he declines a qualifying offer in the neighborhood of 12-14 million. And the Tigers would never offer him that to begin with

I'm pretty sure they would have given him the qualifying offer. Doesn't matter though, didn't realize he had to be with the team for the full year.

**Hart** · 06-17-2012, 11:03 PM

David Ortiz continues to put up big numbers at 37 years old. He gives me a lot of hope that this Prince Fielder contract can work out in our favor. I still say he should be a DH now though.