Okay, so maybe they weren’t quite the first cuts. Earlier in the week they sent catcher Chris Robinson to minor league camp, and optioned Kyle Sleeth. But today marked the first big cuts.
Firstly, if Matt Mantei does comeback from his injury, he won’t be doing it with the Tigers. Mantei received his unconditional release.
The following players were optioned to AA Erie:
- Jordan Tata
- Preston Larrison
- Eulogio De La Cruz
- Kody Kirkland
- Brent Clevlen
- Humberto Sanchez
- Tony Giarratano
Also, the following non-roster invites were assigned to minor league camp:
- Tim Crabtree
- Mike Rabelo
- Colby Lewis
- Danilo Sanchez
- Kevin Hooper
None of the moves are really surprising, as most were longshots to make the team. With most of the WBC players back in camp, there wouldn’t be much playing time to go around. There was talk that Jordan Tata had an outside shot, but he’ll probably be best served trying to replicate his Lakeland success in Erie.
Most notable are probably the players that weren’t cut. Infielders Don Kelly and Ramon Santiago are still in camp. Other players who are still sticking with the team are Ryan Ludwick, Alexis Gomez, Reggie Taylor, and Josh Phelps.
Lewis had a couple of nice outings. He’ll be in Toledo’s rotation I suppose. Assuming they carry 12 pitchers (a mistake in April in my mind) I can’t see Santiago or Kelly making the team in addition to Infante. 13 hitters equals Pudge, Wilson, Dmitri, Shelton, Pena, Polanco, Guillen, Infante, Inge, Monroe, Granderson, Ordonez and … Logan I’d guess. If they insist on platooning Granderson then Thames would make a better partner (move Monroe to CF those days) but they are understandably hung up on Nook’s speed. Thames gets the shaft again. If he hits .420 in Toledo with an .800 SLG maybe he gets a look.
The staff looks like Rogers, Bonderman, Maroth, Robertson, Jones, Walker, Rodney, Spurling, Colon (one way or the other) and then three of German, Zumaya, Verlander, Grilli and Seay. I’d guess that German is a goner and Seay makes the team. Maybe they get a low minor league arm for German in a deal. Zumaya makes the pen, Verlander is the #5 and Grilli goes to Toledo. One man’s opinion.
Whoops, I guess Kelly or Santiago do make it if Infante is on the DL. And Thames too, if Monroe can’t go.
I don’t think they will release Pena. Maybe he will have a hot start (for once) and they will deal him.
It’s good to see the field narrowing as we begin to set our roster for the season. Ramon Santiago will probably end up in Toldeo, but he’s always been an interesting young player to me – hopefully he can work his way up later in the year.