Oliver traded for Cabrera

**Mr. Bigglesworth** · 12-10-2012, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by Downtheriver

The reverse is also possible. They may not want him. He didn't exactly cover himself in glory in Boston.

He had an OPS+ of 111 in Boston. I'd love to have that in a back-up catcher.

**ballmich** · 12-10-2012, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by Downtheriver

The reverse is also possible. They may not want him. He didn't exactly cover himself in glory in Boston.

How does one cover themselves in glory, I wonder? And how is that beneficial to the player or ballclub?

**ballmich** · 12-10-2012, 10:57 AM

I've also mentioned Chris Synder as someone who historically has good splits vs LHP.

If this wasn't a competitive team, I'd be fine letting Holaday or Cabrera fight for the back-up role. But we are reigning AL champs with a good possibility of repeating. For freak sakes, sign a back-up catcher that if pressed into duty can at least hit LHP.

**Downtheriver** · 12-11-2012, 06:26 AM

Originally Posted by ballmich

How does one cover themselves in glory, I wonder? And how is that beneficial to the player or ballclub?

It's like covering oneself in bacon only not as messy.

Yes, he could be good in the right situation. He bitched about playing time in Boston and was known to be a clubhouse lawyer. The Tigers seem to have a good mix of personalities and incentives and Shop seems - IMO - like a "me first" player. Maybe the issue was money but maybe the organization just didn't feel like he would mix in all that well.

**djhutch** · 12-11-2012, 09:22 AM

Glad they sold on Oliver. He's got Nate Cornejo eyes (Deer in the headlights).

**tiger337** · 12-11-2012, 09:27 AM

Originally Posted by Downtheriver

It's like covering oneself in bacon only not as messy.

Yes, he could be good in the right situation. He bitched about playing time in Boston and was known to be a clubhouse lawyer. The Tigers seem to have a good mix of personalities and incentives and Shop seems - IMO - like a "me first" player. Maybe the issue was money but maybe the organization just didn't feel like he would mix in all that well.

I think the bigger problem in Boston is that nothing stays in the clubhouse. I think most professional athletes are me first when it comes to money and playing time. Some are just better at cliches and knowing when to use them.

**ballmich** · 12-11-2012, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by Downtheriver

It's like covering oneself in bacon only not as messy.

Yes, he could be good in the right situation. He bitched about playing time in Boston and was known to be a clubhouse lawyer. The Tigers seem to have a good mix of personalities and incentives and Shop seems - IMO - like a "me first" player. Maybe the issue was money but maybe the organization just didn't feel like he would mix in all that well.

I'll take your word about the bacon, I only eat it.

I guess I'd rather sign players that want to play as much as possible rather than someone who doesn't want to play. But if he can convince a team that he deserve more playing time, great, he wasn't the guy for us then. I'd also mentioned Synder about 20 times... I might have preferred him anyway, but regardless, this is water under the bridge now, since Avila will be catching all 162 games this year plus all play-off games. That's my interpretation of signing Pena, anyway.