Tigers acquire Jeff Baker from the Cubs

**spikesglaring** · 08-05-2012, 01:29 PM

Per the Tigers Official Twitter:

@Tigers: The Tigers have acquired IF/OF Jeff Baker from the Chicago Cubs for two minor league PTBNL before 10/31/12.

Please let this mean the end of Delmon...

**slim pickens** · 08-05-2012, 01:30 PM

Jeff Baker - Detroit Tigers - 2012 Player Profile - Rotoworld.com

For 2 players to be named later.

**KleShreen** · 08-05-2012, 01:30 PM

Who are the players we have eligible to choose from on the PTBNL list?

**Yoda** · 08-05-2012, 01:32 PM

Need another RH bat now that Raburn is out.

.269/.306/.448 (.753)... the problem is he isn't overwhelmingly better versus righties than lefties. Never walks, doesn't steal bases, once again the whole RH/LH thing is completely overblown. I don't see much advantage over Dirks here but you can bet he'll be playing versus lefties instead of Andy.

**drownwithyou** · 08-05-2012, 01:34 PM

Tigers acquired INF-OF Jeff Baker from the Cubs in exchange for two players to be named later.
A career .304/.352/.516 hitter against left-handed pitching, Baker will give the Tigers some versatility off the bench. He's capable of playing first, second and third base, as well as both corner outfield positions.

**tiger337** · 08-05-2012, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by Yoda

Need another RH bat now that Raburn is out.

.269/.306/.448 (.753)... the problem is he isn't overwhelmingly better versus righties than lefties. Never walks, doesn't steal bases, once again the whole RH/LH thing is completely overblown. I don't see much advantage over Dirks here but you can bet he'll be playing versus lefties instead of Andy.

This is not an exciting move, but His lifetime split is pretty large: .869 versus .660.

**C03BRA** · 08-05-2012, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by Yoda

Need another RH bat now that Raburn is out.

.269/.306/.448 (.753)... the problem is he isn't overwhelmingly better versus righties than lefties. Never walks, doesn't steal bases, once again the whole RH/LH thing is completely overblown. I don't see much advantage over Dirks here but you can bet he'll be playing versus lefties instead of Andy.

He can play the IF

**Yoda** · 08-05-2012, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by tiger337

This is not an exciting move, but His lifetime split is pretty large: .869 versus .660.

Fair enough...

**Yoda** · 08-05-2012, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by C03BRA

He can play the IF

Do we need IFers at this point? I thought that's why we got Infante? I think they got him to play the OF mostly.

**MIguy** · 08-05-2012, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by tiger337

This is not an exciting move, but His lifetime split is pretty large: .869 versus .660.

A .304 lifetime average against lefties is a huge plus.

**C03BRA** · 08-05-2012, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by Yoda

Do we need IFers at this point? I thought that's why we got Infante? I think they got him to play the OF mostly.

Don't think we got him to start...my guess is he takes over Raburns role

**drownwithyou** · 08-05-2012, 01:42 PM

He's from West Germany (born and raised, although I'm not sure if the playground is where he spent most of his days).

**wockenfussy** · 08-05-2012, 01:44 PM

Rockies had traded him to the Cubs for Al Al.

**DaYooperASBDT** · 08-05-2012, 02:30 PM

So we are getting a right handed Don Kelly with a better bat? Hey I like - although Kelly was likely a much better OF.

**redshark63** · 08-05-2012, 02:30 PM

Well, I guess Worth will be travelling that MegaBus back to Toledo again soon...

**Kamakzie** · 08-05-2012, 02:39 PM

Is he much better than Delmon?

**Nastradamus** · 08-05-2012, 02:39 PM

I think this is a fantastic move. Exactly what we needed. A RH OF who can play mostly vs. lefties and provide us a little more depth. Perfect. Delmon will remain sadly, but this is a big upgrade over Worth or Raburn, particularly Raburn who's spot he's really taking. Might play a little IF but probably not.

**Chopper** · 08-05-2012, 02:40 PM

Please let this be Rugburn is gone packing.

**drownwithyou** · 08-05-2012, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by Kamakzie

Is he much better than Delmon?

That's like asking if the guy is alive.

**stanpapi** · 08-05-2012, 02:46 PM

So doesn't this mean Baker had to go through waivers and got passed on by alot of clubs before Detroit, in order for this trade to go down? If so and if he did, does that speak to whether he's any kind of upgrade at all?

As to Raburn, why would he be gone? Can't we keep him on the DL until September 1? You don't think Leyland will let him go that easily, do you?

**Shelton** · 08-05-2012, 03:11 PM

This is a really nice move IMO. The tigers got a player for free, and he can settle into a platoon role nicely.

With raburn being "injured" they needed someone to take over his role as OF substitute.

**alwaysthrowheat** · 08-05-2012, 05:25 PM

Raburn will probably be DLed until Sept 1 when the rosters expand. Nice move for the Tigs.

**Gehringer_2** · 08-05-2012, 05:27 PM

Originally Posted by alwaysthrowheat

Raburn will probably be DLed until Sept 1 when the rosters expand. Nice move for the Tigs.

If it's an 'injury', he can also rehab/play a couple weeks at Toledo to see if he can find himself a little. A lot of angles to this I suppose.

**alwaysthrowheat** · 08-05-2012, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by Gehringer_2

If it's an 'injury', he can also rehab/play a couple weeks at Toledo to see if he can find himself a little. A lot of angles to this I suppose.

Exactly. And I bet he does.

**DaYooperASBDT** · 08-05-2012, 08:05 PM

Originally Posted by stanpapi

So doesn't this mean Baker had to go through waivers and got passed on by alot of clubs before Detroit, in order for this trade to go down? If so and if he did, does that speak to whether he's any kind of upgrade at all?

As to Raburn, why would he be gone? Can't we keep him on the DL until September 1? You don't think Leyland will let him go that easily, do you?

I would guess that the Cubs could have pulled him back from waivers if claimed. So I doubt any team would bother to block a trade of a utility guy, by claiming Baker.

**RJBBREZ** · 08-05-2012, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by alwaysthrowheat

Exactly. And I bet he does.

You bet Raburm will go to Toledo or find himself? I'd bet hell will freeze over first, but that is just me.

**Casimir** · 08-05-2012, 09:03 PM

Its too bad the Cubs didn't want Elmon in return.

**sabretooth** · 08-05-2012, 09:29 PM

Good move. Baker's a capable fielder at 2B and is a good hitter against LHP. I'm not fond of this type of marginal-use player taking up a spot generally, but he's at least an upgrade to Raburn defensively on the IF and is a pretty reliable bat against LHP.

**pyrotigers** · 08-05-2012, 09:52 PM

The guy is fine vs LHP, but why does every no walk mediocre power guy shine like a diamond in DD's eye...

**Shinzaki** · 08-05-2012, 11:25 PM

Santiago movs from semi regular to the bench...Dirks comes back and we get Baker. Worth, Raburn and Kelly go bye bye. They've really shored up the bottom of the roster

**sabretooth** · 08-05-2012, 11:29 PM

Originally Posted by pyrotigers

The guy is fine vs LHP, but why does every no walk mediocre power guy shine like a diamond in DD's eye...

Indeed...if he wa a flyball hitter instead of a groundball/linedrive hitter, he'd be a carbon-copy of Ryan Raburn.

**sabretooth** · 08-05-2012, 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by Shinzaki

Santiago movs from semi regular to the bench...Dirks comes back and we get Baker. Worth, Raburn and Kelly go bye bye. They've really shored up the bottom of the roster

Yeah, I was fine with Worth, but Baker has a little pop against LHP (upgrade vs. Worth) and he's a decent enough glove (upgrade vs. Raburn).

**Imminent Threat** · 08-05-2012, 11:31 PM

Wasn't Inge "injured" before they DFA'd him?

**Scottwood** · 08-05-2012, 11:54 PM

Assuming we make the playoffs and given a 25 man roster with 14 position players, this trade sets up:

C- Avila, Laird
1B- Fielder
2B- Infante
SS- Peralta
3B- Cabrera
Backup IF: Santiago
RF- Dirks vs. RHP/ Baker vs. LHP
CF- Jackson
LF- Berry vs. RHP/ Raburn vs. LHP
DH- Boesch vs. RHP/ Young vs. LHP

Unless Martinez comes back, I don't think this means the end of Raburn. He'll be back after September 1st and should have a great shot at making the playoff roster given our lack of right handed bats. Worth won't be needed as much b/c of the flexibility that Baker offers in the infield. I guess a dark horse candidate to be on the roster in place of Raburn would be Castellanos.

**alwaysthrowheat** · 08-06-2012, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by pyrotigers

The guy is fine vs LHP, but why does every no walk mediocre power guy shine like a diamond in DD's eye...

In general, I'd say you're right. However, on August 6, it's a good move for the team they already have.

**alwaysthrowheat** · 08-06-2012, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by RJBBREZ

You bet Raburm will go to Toledo or find himself? I'd bet hell will freeze over first, but that is just me.

Go to Toledo.

**chasfh** · 08-06-2012, 12:37 AM

Baker is an upgrade over any amount of bench flotsam we've been carrying for the last couple of months. His main downside is that he doesn't walk much. But at least he is not a guy who, when he pinch-hits, you cringe.

**Casimir** · 08-06-2012, 07:46 AM

Originally Posted by Scottwood

Assuming we make the playoffs and given a 25 man roster with 14 position players, this trade sets up:

C- Avila, Laird
1B- Fielder
2B- Infante
SS- Peralta
3B- Cabrera
Backup IF: Santiago
RF- Dirks vs. RHP/ Baker vs. LHP
CF- Jackson
LF- Berry vs. RHP/ Raburn vs. LHP
DH- Boesch vs. RHP/ Young vs. LHP

Unless Martinez comes back, I don't think this means the end of Raburn. He'll be back after September 1st and should have a great shot at making the playoff roster given our lack of right handed bats. Worth won't be needed as much b/c of the flexibility that Baker offers in the infield. I guess a dark horse candidate to be on the roster in place of Raburn would be Castellanos.

Dropping a P in lieu of a position player for the playoffs is a good call. A 4 man starting rotation with one of Scherzer/Porcello/Sanchez to the pen.