Comments on: Leyland down the law http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/ News, views, and analysis on the Detroit Tigers and baseball Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:06:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Joshua M. http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25579 Joshua M. Thu, 09 Nov 2006 22:14:13 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25579 That has nothing to do with the Santiago instead of Shelton question though That has nothing to do with the Santiago instead of Shelton question though

]]> By: Doug Purdie http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25415 Doug Purdie Wed, 08 Nov 2006 18:17:05 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25415 Gomez and Casey are left handed hitters and Perez is a switch hitter. Infante, Thames and Shelton are all right handed hitters. It's quite simply this: Lelyland felt he needed more left handed bats for the playoffs. Gomez and Casey are left handed hitters and Perez is a switch hitter. Infante, Thames and Shelton are all right handed hitters. It’s quite simply this: Lelyland felt he needed more left handed bats for the playoffs.

]]> By: Josuha M. http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25288 Josuha M. Tue, 07 Nov 2006 20:37:02 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25288 Billfer thats the point I made last week on not needing santiago to play SS if shelton was playing first because Guillen wuold be at SS. Glad to read that some one else can see that. One thing I was just completely blown away by was in the final game Leyland put Thames in as a defensive replaycement in Monroes spot thus taking any chance from having a home run batter to use as a pinch hitter in the top of the 9th was there a reason for that??? All year all we heard was how bad Thames was at defense so why waste his bat like that??? Billfer thats the point I made last week on not needing santiago to play SS if shelton was playing first because Guillen wuold be at SS. Glad to read that some one else can see that. One thing I was just completely blown away by was in the final game Leyland put Thames in as a defensive replaycement in Monroes spot thus taking any chance from having a home run batter to use as a pinch hitter in the top of the 9th was there a reason for that??? All year all we heard was how bad Thames was at defense so why waste his bat like that???

]]> By: Joey C. http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25152 Joey C. Tue, 07 Nov 2006 05:31:49 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25152 The thought of Leyland having any say in off-season acquisitions is totally depressing to me. I don't think there's much else to say about the Infante/Thames debacle. Those guys should've gotten far more ABs. For their sake, I hope they're traded to teams who have managers who see their value--and obviously I hope Leyland has little say in who we get in return. The thought of Leyland having any say in off-season acquisitions is totally depressing to me.

I don’t think there’s much else to say about the Infante/Thames debacle. Those guys should’ve gotten far more ABs.

For their sake, I hope they’re traded to teams who have managers who see their value–and obviously I hope Leyland has little say in who we get in return.

]]> By: BobS. http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25117 BobS. Tue, 07 Nov 2006 01:44:28 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25117 'tee-ball type authority',indeed-Perez looks like he's swinging one of those 48oz. practice bats at the plate. ‘tee-ball type authority’,indeed-Perez looks like he’s swinging one of those 48oz. practice bats at the plate.

]]> By: Greg http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25055 Greg Mon, 06 Nov 2006 19:39:31 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25055 That's because Magglio was pretty bad at times, as was Marcus when he played the field. I think they should consider making Magg's a full time DH. JoJo, are you in AZ? That’s because Magglio was pretty bad at times, as was Marcus when he played the field. I think they should consider making Magg’s a full time DH.

JoJo, are you in AZ?

]]> By: Coach Jim http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25050 Coach Jim Mon, 06 Nov 2006 19:14:14 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25050 As opposed to just chances per inning? Okay then, I guess we NEED ground ball pitchers. It's surprising our outfielders didn't fare better then. As opposed to just chances per inning? Okay then, I guess we NEED ground ball pitchers. It’s surprising our outfielders didn’t fare better then.

]]> By: Lee Panas http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25047 Lee Panas Mon, 06 Nov 2006 18:46:11 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25047 Coach Jim, I think the method used to evaluate fielding was essentially independent of how many ground balls were hit. The basis for the calculation was zone rating which is the proportion of balls in a player's area which he turned into outs. Coach Jim, I think the method used to evaluate fielding was essentially independent of how many ground balls were hit. The basis for the calculation was zone rating which is the proportion of balls in a player’s area which he turned into outs.

]]> By: Chris Y. http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25035 Chris Y. Mon, 06 Nov 2006 17:17:21 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25035 Totally agree with Coach Jim about the article. Anyone who does not see the upside of Infante v. Perez/Santiago, Thames v. Young, or Shelton v. Casey (esp. long-term) is out of their mind. Equating Infante and Perez is an insult. Did you watch either of them play? Perez was the one who's bat actually struck the ball with tee-ball type authority, not Infante. Infante: 224AB .277/.325/.415 Perez: 301AB .243/.260/.316 Totally agree with Coach Jim about the article.

Anyone who does not see the upside of Infante v. Perez/Santiago, Thames v. Young, or Shelton v. Casey (esp. long-term) is out of their mind.

Equating Infante and Perez is an insult. Did you watch either of them play? Perez was the one who’s bat actually struck the ball with tee-ball type authority, not Infante.

Infante: 224AB .277/.325/.415

Perez: 301AB .243/.260/.316

]]> By: Coach Jim http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25029 Coach Jim Mon, 06 Nov 2006 16:50:51 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25029 That was a nice article about defensive stats. Here are a couple thoughts: 1. With Tiger infielders being rated so highly it leads me to believe the pitchers induced a high ratio of ground balls. When this happens, the outfielders don't get as many chances. 1a. I noticed mid-season Chris Shelton was making some pretty nice plays at 1B. I am not surprised to see him ranked high defensively. 1b. I was not impressed with Casey's play at 1B. 2. I think Craig Monroe is a GREAT left fielder. I see great range. Forget the ONE ball that went off his glove in the World Series, he made that play 50 times during the regular season. He also has a knack for catching runners by surprise with great throws. That was a nice article about defensive stats. Here are a couple thoughts:
1. With Tiger infielders being rated so highly it leads me to believe the pitchers induced a high ratio of ground balls. When this happens, the outfielders don’t get as many chances.

1a. I noticed mid-season Chris Shelton was making some pretty nice plays at 1B. I am not surprised to see him ranked high defensively.

1b. I was not impressed with Casey’s play at 1B.

2. I think Craig Monroe is a GREAT left fielder. I see great range. Forget the ONE ball that went off his glove in the World Series, he made that play 50 times during the regular season. He also has a knack for catching runners by surprise with great throws.

]]> By: billfer http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25027 billfer Mon, 06 Nov 2006 16:28:03 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25027 J - I questioned the decision to have him on the playoff roster. Yes he is a very good defensive shortstop - the best on the team. If Shelton is on the roster there isn't even a need for a different shortstop though. This isn't supposed to be a whole post criticizing Leylands decision and their impact on last years game. It is more looking forward and what impact those decisions will have on next years team. J – I questioned the decision to have him on the playoff roster. Yes he is a very good defensive shortstop – the best on the team. If Shelton is on the roster there isn’t even a need for a different shortstop though.

This isn’t supposed to be a whole post criticizing Leylands decision and their impact on last years game. It is more looking forward and what impact those decisions will have on next years team.

]]> By: J http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25021 J Mon, 06 Nov 2006 15:56:50 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25021 How can you question the decision to play Santiago at SS? If you like a player more than someone else that is fine, but Santiago is an excellent defensive SS and showed that during the playoffs. I really like Infante, but there is no way I would have played him at SS over Santiago. If you didnt realize the value of defense before the series I would think you would realize it now. How can you question the decision to play Santiago at SS? If you like a player more than someone else that is fine, but Santiago is an excellent defensive SS and showed that during the playoffs. I really like Infante, but there is no way I would have played him at SS over Santiago. If you didnt realize the value of defense before the series I would think you would realize it now.

]]> By: Lee Panas http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25014 Lee Panas Mon, 06 Nov 2006 15:24:34 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25014 Good post Billfer. I thought Leyland did a great job overall but some of his decisions in the last couple of months were baffling. Maybe there is something about the make-up of Shelton, Thames and Infante that we don't know about but I see them as better options than some of the replacements. He seemed to play favorites with Perez and Gomez in particular. Statistically, Shelton was an excellent first baseman. I'm not sure I believe he was the best one (as BTF suggests) but he looked pretty good to me. I think he gets to more balls than Casey. I think looks can be deceiving with Shelton. He doesn't look smooth but he makes the plays. Good post Billfer. I thought Leyland did a great job overall but some of his decisions in the last couple of months were baffling. Maybe there is something about the make-up of Shelton, Thames and Infante that we don’t know about but I see them as better options than some of the replacements. He seemed to play favorites with Perez and Gomez in particular.

Statistically, Shelton was an excellent first baseman. I’m not sure I believe he was the best one (as BTF suggests) but he looked pretty good to me. I think he gets to more balls than Casey. I think looks can be deceiving with Shelton. He doesn’t look smooth but he makes the plays.

]]> By: Jojo SunDevil http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25013 Jojo SunDevil Mon, 06 Nov 2006 15:13:50 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25013 Whoever said Neifi and Infante are even. Lay off the pipe man, and stop drinkin grandma's cough syrup. I would take Infante over Perez 100 times over. The only think that Perez can do is bunt. And I can think of some willing fans who could probably bunt just as good. Whoever said Neifi and Infante are even. Lay off the pipe man, and stop drinkin grandma’s cough syrup. I would take Infante over Perez 100 times over. The only think that Perez can do is bunt. And I can think of some willing fans who could probably bunt just as good.

]]> By: Jojo SunDevil http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25012 Jojo SunDevil Mon, 06 Nov 2006 15:12:17 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2006/11/leyland-down-the-law/#comment-25012 I am still kind of surprised the Tigers somewhat gave up on Shelton after August. I still think that Shelton could be the first baseman of the future, but even when he was struggling, it seemed like he was still making contact. With Infante and Perez (oh. my goodness gracious), why the need for a third reserve infielder. Shelton at a minimum is probably the better defensive first baseman then Sean Casey. One thing that Leyland did that I really don't understand, is why put Zach Miner on the playoff roster if youre not going to use him. He's obviously not a starter in the playoffs, so you are conceding that he is going to be a set up man. Well, then why put him on the roster, if you don't plan on using him at all, because you think he doesn't have the ability to pitch to just one or two batters effectively. And then maybe he would have been the starter if someone got hurt, but that wasn't even the case, it would have been Ledezma. Finally, I don't think Vance Wilson had a single at bat in the playoffs. That is interesting, because I remember him getting big hits or having good games when the Tigers needed him. One more Leyland thought. Three reserve infielders on the roster, and Polanco is like 0 for 18 in the WS. Why not use one of the reserve infielders? If you got them there, I couldn't think of a more ideal situation to use them, then when your offense is struggling and there are three people on the roster who play that position. I am still kind of surprised the Tigers somewhat gave up on Shelton after August. I still think that Shelton could be the first baseman of the future, but even when he was struggling, it seemed like he was still making contact. With Infante and Perez (oh. my goodness gracious), why the need for a third reserve infielder. Shelton at a minimum is probably the better defensive first baseman then Sean Casey.

One thing that Leyland did that I really don’t understand, is why put Zach Miner on the playoff roster if youre not going to use him. He’s obviously not a starter in the playoffs, so you are conceding that he is going to be a set up man. Well, then why put him on the roster, if you don’t plan on using him at all, because you think he doesn’t have the ability to pitch to just one or two batters effectively. And then maybe he would have been the starter if someone got hurt, but that wasn’t even the case, it would have been Ledezma.

Finally, I don’t think Vance Wilson had a single at bat in the playoffs. That is interesting, because I remember him getting big hits or having good games when the Tigers needed him.

One more Leyland thought. Three reserve infielders on the roster, and Polanco is like 0 for 18 in the WS. Why not use one of the reserve infielders? If you got them there, I couldn’t think of a more ideal situation to use them, then when your offense is struggling and there are three people on the roster who play that position.

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