Comments on: Breaking down the Dombrowski pow-wow http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/10/breaking-down-the-dombrowski-pow-wow/ News, views, and analysis on the Detroit Tigers and baseball Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:06:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: The Detroit Tiger Weblog » Blog Archive » Leveraging Todd Jones http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/10/breaking-down-the-dombrowski-pow-wow/#comment-71848 The Detroit Tiger Weblog » Blog Archive » Leveraging Todd Jones Sun, 07 Oct 2007 01:03:12 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/10/breaking-down-the-dombrowski-pow-wow/#comment-71848 [...] week Dave Dombrowski indicated that the club would like to have Todd Jones back, but under the condition that he may be moved out of the closer’s role at some point during [...] [...] week Dave Dombrowski indicated that the club would like to have Todd Jones back, but under the condition that he may be moved out of the closer’s role at some point during [...]

]]> By: billfer http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/10/breaking-down-the-dombrowski-pow-wow/#comment-71648 billfer Thu, 04 Oct 2007 03:08:28 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/10/breaking-down-the-dombrowski-pow-wow/#comment-71648 Actually moving to 3rd, and more specifically away from catching, was credited with improving Inge's offense because he didn't have to devote as much time on game calling. I doubt that a move from short to 3rd would cause his offense to decrease. That's not to say that the move is easy either. Actually moving to 3rd, and more specifically away from catching, was credited with improving Inge’s offense because he didn’t have to devote as much time on game calling. I doubt that a move from short to 3rd would cause his offense to decrease.

That’s not to say that the move is easy either.

]]> By: David http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/10/breaking-down-the-dombrowski-pow-wow/#comment-71602 David Wed, 03 Oct 2007 17:42:28 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/10/breaking-down-the-dombrowski-pow-wow/#comment-71602 well said Greg- other Greg well said Greg- other Greg

]]> By: Greg- other Greg http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/10/breaking-down-the-dombrowski-pow-wow/#comment-71589 Greg- other Greg Wed, 03 Oct 2007 14:31:55 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/10/breaking-down-the-dombrowski-pow-wow/#comment-71589 Mark wrote: He has admitted that changing to 3B affected his hitting because of his extra work on defense instead of hitting. He barely hits above the Mendoza line already. Do you want it to get worse? The notion that players have a limited amount of time and have to 'choose' between practicing hitting or fielding is a myth. The notion they don't have time for this or that. Baseball players live the life of Riley. There are 24 hours in a day. Plenty of time for both. He has to sleep 8 hours, a little time for travel, maybe a press conference here and there and a little volunteer work, that's it, heck, these ballclubs have hired servants that run around and do errands for them. Let's face it, he doesn't work for a living, he plays a game. He has all day to do whatever he wants. Now, maybe it would cut into his hours playing Halo with Zumaya. It's all about priorities, which comes first, Xbox, or a little extra time for practicing baseball. Mark wrote:

He has admitted that changing to 3B affected his hitting because of his extra work on defense instead of hitting. He barely hits above the Mendoza line already. Do you want it to get worse?

The notion that players have a limited amount of time and have to ‘choose’ between practicing hitting or fielding is a myth. The notion they don’t have time for this or that. Baseball players live the life of Riley. There are 24 hours in a day. Plenty of time for both. He has to sleep 8 hours, a little time for travel, maybe a press conference here and there and a little volunteer work, that’s it, heck, these ballclubs have hired servants that run around and do errands for them. Let’s face it, he doesn’t work for a living, he plays a game. He has all day to do whatever he wants. Now, maybe it would cut into his hours playing Halo with Zumaya. It’s all about priorities, which comes first, Xbox, or a little extra time for practicing baseball.

]]> By: BobS. http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/10/breaking-down-the-dombrowski-pow-wow/#comment-71582 BobS. Wed, 03 Oct 2007 12:15:46 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/10/breaking-down-the-dombrowski-pow-wow/#comment-71582 I think the move would be difficult,particularly turning the DP,but not as hard as becoming accustomed to the ball coming off the bat instead of being delivered by the pitcher.I wouldn't recommend it for everybody,but Inge seems to have the tools. By the way,I've been thinking the Twins should experiment with a similar transition from C to 3B for Joe Mauer.I realize that a catcher,especially one who can hit like Mauer,is one of the rarest commodities.On the other hand,I'd be looking already at ways to extend Mauer's career,who's pretty tall for the position (leading me to think it might make him prone to back problems as he ages). I think the move would be difficult,particularly turning the DP,but not as hard as becoming accustomed to the ball coming off the bat instead of being delivered by the pitcher.I wouldn’t recommend it for everybody,but Inge seems to have the tools.
By the way,I’ve been thinking the Twins should experiment with a similar transition from C to 3B for Joe Mauer.I realize that a catcher,especially one who can hit like Mauer,is one of the rarest commodities.On the other hand,I’d be looking already at ways to extend Mauer’s career,who’s pretty tall for the position (leading me to think it might make him prone to back problems as he ages).

]]> By: Mark P. http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/10/breaking-down-the-dombrowski-pow-wow/#comment-71569 Mark P. Wed, 03 Oct 2007 03:35:09 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/10/breaking-down-the-dombrowski-pow-wow/#comment-71569 Moving Inge to SS is a poor idea. There is more coordination and positioning that goes into SS than 3B. Remember how many people complained about Inge's defense when he first moved to 3B. That's because it is difficult to learn a new position especially at the Major League level for a contending team. It is generally accepted that moving from 3B is harder than the opposite. This has been researched by Bill James. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_spectrum http://somebaseballnotes.com/2007/09/21/the-defensive-spectrum-and-its-offensive-correlation/ Not to mention Inge is entering his prime and will only slow down. We need him to be at the height of his talent level at a position he is comfortable with. He has admitted that changing to 3B affected his hitting because of his extra work on defense instead of hitting. He barely hits above the Mendoza line already. Do you want it to get worse? Let's DD work his magic and find a SS. I vote for Brent Lillibridge...next year's Tulowitzki (with more SBs and less power). Moving Inge to SS is a poor idea. There is more coordination and positioning that goes into SS than 3B. Remember how many people complained about Inge’s defense when he first moved to 3B. That’s because it is difficult to learn a new position especially at the Major League level for a contending team. It is generally accepted that moving from 3B is harder than the opposite. This has been researched by Bill James.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_spectrum
http://somebaseballnotes.com/2.....rrelation/

Not to mention Inge is entering his prime and will only slow down. We need him to be at the height of his talent level at a position he is comfortable with. He has admitted that changing to 3B affected his hitting because of his extra work on defense instead of hitting. He barely hits above the Mendoza line already. Do you want it to get worse?

Let’s DD work his magic and find a SS. I vote for Brent Lillibridge…next year’s Tulowitzki (with more SBs and less power).

]]> By: Greg- other Greg http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/10/breaking-down-the-dombrowski-pow-wow/#comment-71566 Greg- other Greg Wed, 03 Oct 2007 03:12:13 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/10/breaking-down-the-dombrowski-pow-wow/#comment-71566 David - good post. A lot of what you say here makes sense. I totally agree about his range and that would seem to translate well to SS(it would be interesting to 'rerun' the season, statistically, with Inge at SS, with his increased range to see the marginal increase in wins, I doubt that's possible though). It just would be nice to get some heavier sticks around Inge in the lineup so he'd see better pitches to hit more often, then we might see the 2006 version of Inge show up again(offensively) David wrote: His range is unmatched. His arm strength is right up there with the elite IF. Agree, agree. Plus, he plays with that 'gnarly hustle' Eric Byrnes talkes about. I like that. I'm starting to like this idea.....though, I'd still prefer AROD at SS :-) David - good post. A lot of what you say here makes sense. I totally agree about his range and that would seem to translate well to SS(it would be interesting to ‘rerun’ the season, statistically, with Inge at SS, with his increased range to see the marginal increase in wins, I doubt that’s possible though).

It just would be nice to get some heavier sticks around Inge in the lineup so he’d see better pitches to hit more often, then we might see the 2006 version of Inge show up again(offensively)

David wrote:

His range is unmatched. His arm strength is right up there with the elite IF.

Agree, agree. Plus, he plays with that ‘gnarly hustle’ Eric Byrnes talkes about. I like that.

I’m starting to like this idea…..though, I’d still prefer AROD at SS

:-)

]]> By: David http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/10/breaking-down-the-dombrowski-pow-wow/#comment-71560 David Wed, 03 Oct 2007 02:44:50 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/10/breaking-down-the-dombrowski-pow-wow/#comment-71560 The positions aren't that different except at third you'd like alittle stronger arm b/c of the longer distance and at SS you'd like alittle more range due to more balls being hit there and the bigger area you have to cover. I see this move as a no brainer and don't understand why it wasn't already done. You have no clue if Inge would or would not want to do it. I'd guess he would have no problem with it b/c well that seems to be his personality. Also he played it in college and can basically play anywhere they want him. Honus Wagner one of the best players to ever play went all over and spent quite a bit of time at 3rd before establishing himself as the best SS to ever play. His defensive skill was worth most to the team there because it can be argued that SS is the most important position on the field. Going from OF to IF or IF to OF or Catcher to either (which is what Inge has done) is a much bigger step than from third to SS. Inge has said he doesn't want to catch, but never SS. but my personal belief is that putting him in SS would give us everything and more that the best SS could give us. Plus the way he can go get balls in foul territory - how many more of them are hit in between SS and LC I bet he would get quite a few more. Plus all the balls in the hole and up the middle that Guillen never could get to or dive for. As we all know Inge can dive and will dive for anything he thinks he can get to. His range is unmatched. His arm strength is right up there with the elite IF. Go watch the archived Vids of him if you disagree. In order to get the most out of his defensive whiz skills you put him there, I don't understand why so many are blind to that fact. Its common sense to stick him there. The positions aren’t that different except at third you’d like alittle stronger arm b/c of the longer distance and at SS you’d like alittle more range due to more balls being hit there and the bigger area you have to cover.

I see this move as a no brainer and don’t understand why it wasn’t already done. You have no clue if Inge would or would not want to do it.

I’d guess he would have no problem with it b/c well that seems to be his personality. Also he played it in college and can basically play anywhere they want him.

Honus Wagner one of the best players to ever play went all over and spent quite a bit of time at 3rd before establishing himself as the best SS to ever play.

His defensive skill was worth most to the team there because it can be argued that SS is the most important position on the field.

Going from OF to IF or IF to OF or Catcher to either (which is what Inge has done) is a much bigger step than from third to SS.

Inge has said he doesn’t want to catch, but never SS. but my personal belief is that putting him in SS would give us everything and more that the best SS could give us. Plus the way he can go get balls in foul territory - how many more of them are hit in between SS and LC I bet he would get quite a few more. Plus all the balls in the hole and up the middle that Guillen never could get to or dive for. As we all know Inge can dive and will dive for anything he thinks he can get to.

His range is unmatched. His arm strength is right up there with the elite IF. Go watch the archived Vids of him if you disagree.

In order to get the most out of his defensive whiz skills you put him there, I don’t understand why so many are blind to that fact. Its common sense to stick him there.

]]> By: Greg- other Greg http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/10/breaking-down-the-dombrowski-pow-wow/#comment-71558 Greg- other Greg Wed, 03 Oct 2007 02:15:39 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/10/breaking-down-the-dombrowski-pow-wow/#comment-71558 Been there, done that, it's easy for me. It's like eating food, and I'm not 1/100th the ball player compared to the worst Major Leaguer. A ground ball is a ground ball. A throw to first is a throw to first. Actually, 3rd base itself was a little tough because it's such a long throw, it just got easier moving to SS. I'm not saying they SHOULD move Inge to SS, just saying its easy. Been there, done that, it’s easy for me. It’s like eating food, and I’m not 1/100th the ball player compared to the worst Major Leaguer. A ground ball is a ground ball. A throw to first is a throw to first. Actually, 3rd base itself was a little tough because it’s such a long throw, it just got easier moving to SS.

I’m not saying they SHOULD move Inge to SS, just saying its easy.

]]> By: Adam http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/10/breaking-down-the-dombrowski-pow-wow/#comment-71556 Adam Wed, 03 Oct 2007 02:08:34 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/10/breaking-down-the-dombrowski-pow-wow/#comment-71556 Greg...whoa. Moving from 3B to SS doesn't happen, man. I mean, Cal Ripken did it (and then moved back to 3B fifteen years later) but that's not going to happen in Detroit, not with Inge, not with Lowell, or with anyone. First of all, it's not "easy as rolling off a log" to switch positions. Well-established players at their position (Inge, Lowell) won't do it. Carlos Guillen is an example of necessity, as even he can see he's worth more to us at first than at short - because he's not performing at his position. If you traded for a third baseman, and then told him to play short stop, he'd probably throw a fit. Come on, man. Let's talk about shortstops. Renteria, maybe. Greg…whoa. Moving from 3B to SS doesn’t happen, man. I mean, Cal Ripken did it (and then moved back to 3B fifteen years later) but that’s not going to happen in Detroit, not with Inge, not with Lowell, or with anyone. First of all, it’s not “easy as rolling off a log” to switch positions. Well-established players at their position (Inge, Lowell) won’t do it. Carlos Guillen is an example of necessity, as even he can see he’s worth more to us at first than at short - because he’s not performing at his position. If you traded for a third baseman, and then told him to play short stop, he’d probably throw a fit.

Come on, man. Let’s talk about shortstops. Renteria, maybe.

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