The Detroit Tigers are about to have to make some serious roster moves. Opening Day is officially less than two weeks away and, as usual, Detroit can only take 25 players north.
Most of the spots are certain. Andy Dirks, Austin Jackson, and Torii Hunter comprise the outfield starters. The infield is set in stone with Alex Avila, Prince Fielder, Omar Infante, Jhonny Peralta, and Miguel Cabrera. The DH spot belongs to Victor Martinez. That’s your regular nine Tigers.
Is Drew Smyly bullpen bound?
Starting will be Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Doug Fister, and Anibal Sanchez. The 5th guy will either be Rick Porcello or Drew Smyly.
Bullpen locks include Octavio Dotel, Joaquin Benoit, Al Alburquerque, Phil Coke, and Brayan Villarreral. There is also no reason to think that Bruce Rondon hasn’t shown enough to make the club at this point as he turned in yet another stellar outing against the meat of the Washington Nationals’ order today.
So this leaves four offensive bench slots and one relief hole to fill. Here’s my best guess as to the bench.
Reserve Outfielders – Don Kelly & Jeff Kobernus (although Matt Tuiasosopo is making a late bid)
Reserve Infielder – Ramon Santiago
Backup Catcher – Brayan Pena
What the Tigers should do is immediately find a trading partner for Santiago. Danny Worth is not only better defensively (by a wide margin), but he’s faster in a pinch-running role, and his bat is awfully close to what Santiago can produce, if not already ahead of it. Worth is a better roster add than Santiago, hands down. Ramon has one year left on his deal but a versatile player like him should be attractive for one of many teams looking to shore up their infield depth at this point in the spring.
As for the Kobernus v. Tuiasosopo (we’ll call him ‘Tui’ from here on to help aid in the prevention of carpal tunnel) debate, it is an intriguing one. Kobernus has impressed the Tigers this spring but is hitting just .229 now. Tui has put on a bit of a show lately and is making the Tigers consider keeping him. Both players can play multiple positions with Kobernus adding a lot more speed. Tui has shown tremendous extra-base pop from the right side with three homers and five doubles in just 35 at-bats. He does strike out a lot and is a downgrade defensively from Kobernus.
To be sure, Jim Leyland would love some thump on his bench, ala Marcus Thames of a few years ago. Put him in enough times and he’s bound to ‘run into one’. Remember that? Leyland didn’t have that a season ago and wants it. Tui could be that guy. So will it be lightning or thunder that wins out? Today, I still say Kobernus, but ask me again tomorrow.
Regarding the all important 5th starter spot, I think that Rick Porcello has earned it and that isn’t meant to take anything away from Smyly, a pitcher that I love dearly who has had a strong spring. GM Dave Dombrowski and Leyland have both softened their stance of late on this issue. Early in camp, the clear message was that neither would be sent to Toledo or the bullpen, period. That is no longer the case.
They have both pitched so well that Detroit simply can’t trade Porcello and Smyly could be a huge value piece as the long reliever. So there you have it. Porcello is #5 and Smyly is the long man and first guy up when one of the other starters goes down with an injury.
If Detroit is absolutely adamant about Smyly not being in the bullpen then he will start the year in Toledo, which seems to be a true injustice. If he goes to AAA then Darin Downs is probably the 7th bullpen arm and he’d be a good one at that.
We’re getting closer.
To receive an email each time a new Tigers article is published, fill out the Email Notification Form
[Follow me on Twitter @isportsJoe]
About Joe White
Santiago had an off year last year, but there is no way that Worth is a major league hitter . If Santiago played more last year,he might have not been so rusty.
Hopefully winter ball and his experience will be considered in the decision. Worth has yet to prove that he can hit a fastball or curve with any consistency or authority.
The thing is that the Tigers don’t need Santiago’s bat in any way. I’d rather have the upgrade at defense, which is bigger than most think, and better speed for pinch-running. I would be surprised if Santiago wasn’t on the Opening Day roster though.
Great stuff as always Diamond Joe. Did Castellanos even get a look this spring or is he a few years away yet?
Castellanos got a long look and just got sent to Toledo’s roster. He has had a strong camp (9-for-25 with two doubles, a home run and six RBI’s). Once he’s up and running more smoothly as an outfielder he’ll be pounding on the door.
What about the Lobstein kid? Is he going back to his old team?
Lobstein still has a chance but if they push Smyly to the pen he has no shot. They don’t need or want 3 lefties in the pen (Coke). He could then be reclaimed by Tampa Bay if they want him.
Garcia will start in the minors so he can get regular at bats.
Berry just isn’t a quality hitter. He won’t make the team.
Thanks for the comments.
What about q. Berry??
Great info Joe, looking forward to opening day.
No mention of Quinten and Avisail (baby Cabrera)?
Are they doing that poorly in Florida?
Inquiring minds want to know!
You’re spot on. I believe this is Rick’s last year to become a major league talent and most valuable pitchier so he gets the nod over Smyly who I LOVE! If RP can throw that curve for strikes and consistently put a 93 mph fastball on the corners, he’s the man this year. Maybe fulfill unfulfilled expectations.
Sounds about right to me. With Berry most likely out of the picture, Kobernus becomes the “speed” guy off the bench, which would give him an added advantage over some of the others. However, I’m not so sure we really need a speed guy who doesn’t hit for much, no matter how much position versatility he has. This season the Tigers might easily be able to get away with station-to-station ball because the lineup won’t have the black holes in the 5-9 spots that it had for much of last year. So, it would be nice to have Tui to spell Dirks occasionally, although I sure can’t see him getting much playing time at 1st or 3rd. And who then backs up Jackson in CF? Maybe Comeback Kelly to the rescue – Leyland loves the guy, remember. I’d love to see Worth instead of Santiago. Good luck with that. The pitching staff certainly doesn’t have any problems, as there are above average replacements for both starters and the bullpen waiting in the wings, no matter which way they go.
We on! Oh wait, play ball. As long as they stay healthy, I look forward to watching them in October.