I totally agree with y’all on Sheff. I keep thinking back to Champ in Anchorman, “Take it easy, [Gary]. Why don’t you sit this next one out.” That goes for Polanco too (maybe a 15 day DL). We need both of these guys healthy. If they can’t hit as well hurt as the guys that can fill in for a stretch they need to sit out so that they can heal faster.

Inge at 3rd, Guillen to DH (rotating with Magglio and Miggy Cabrera) with Miggy at 1st is ideal for me.

However, I don’t think moving Guillen to third really solves anything. I think the Tigers would be a better team with Inge at third base and Guillen at DH and Sheffield on the DL. Even if Sheffield reaches his PECOTA projection (.274/.372/.461), I’d still rather have Inge (.245/.317/.408) at third.

Regarding Verlander’s fastball velocity last night, I have it from the source (Josh Kalk) that Comerica is the second worst setup in the majors when it comes to gameday. You can look at his pitch f/x page and go to Verlander’s data for this year and basically see two different plots – one for Comerica and one for everywhere else. It’s pretty embarassing.

Eric

yeah, i hope i’m not coming off as hating on guillen or maggs in general (as far as maggs goes thats the first “mistake” i’ve seen him make in a while). i love guillen’s bat and there isn’t too much to complain about when it comes to maggs either…although i wish he would take less swings at first pitches (to be fair though i’m obsessed with wanting the Tigers to up the opposition pitch counts).

i’ll admit that a lot of this complaining is probably closer to nit-picking, but when you start off the way the Tigers did and when they can’t seem to address weaknesses in the basics (defense) its really hard not to start second-guessing the leadership.

somebody please tell me what J Jones brings to the team? now tell me that there isn’t somebody 6 million cheaper that could replace him. i dare you. this is where i wonder. seriously i can’t say historically i’ve been a huge fan of thames, but he has really good power numbers and he may actually be capable of throwing somebody out.

you won’t ever hear me suggest that Leyland pack his bags, i’ve never been a bigger fan of a manager (possible exception Scotty Bowman…but obv that a little different). i keep hoping though that there are things going on behind the scenes (there most likely are) that explain these decisions. but i reserve the right to whine until i hear them or we top the division.

Joe -

He won’t win a gold glove, but he’s at least an average fielder. But yeah, that was a bad play.

unquote

I was at the game last night and had a pretty good view of this one(if you’re referring to the ball that bounced off of the wall that he didn’t get to).

Granted, it wasn’t graceful, and a solid OF would have fielded it, but it wasn’t a routine play as the wall was coming into play and you could tell that Maggs couldn’t get a good ‘feel’ for where the wall was.

Honestly, I’m impressed that so many OF’s are able to do this and make it look easy, but if you’ve played the OF and have to ‘ignore’ a wall while approaching it, and totally focus on tracking a ball in play…..it might be the most difficult thing a player does IMHO, at least it was for me….except playing catcher, which is the toughest IMO.

I think Maggs deserves a pass on that one.

i know that there are tons of stat based studies on the whole offense vs defense thing, but do they take into account how a botched play on D can extend innings……..i won’t totally throw guillen under the bus on his error (i think he mishandled it at first, but i also thought he was interfered with) however, that combined with an “inge-able” ball that got by him that same inning (i think)…you’re looking at a 4 run inning that likely would have been avoided or lessened with inge at 3rd.

so my question is why is it that people look at inge and see a lack of offense instead of what i see as 3-4 runs saved last night. isn’t a run saved as good as a run scored?………i’m sorry, this whole thing is driving me crazy! our starters aren’t this bad (ok some of them are), but they would look this bad if we were playing solid D and maybe its just because i keep looking for reasons to plug Inge back at 3rd, but i’m seeing lots of balls hit though the 3rd base area.

Unquote

Thanks Andre for pointing this out. I agree 100%. It seems as though a week doesn’t go by without Guillen’s defense singlehandedly losing a game for the Tigers, or turning a close game into a blowout.

Last night he was the Angels secret weapon. If memory serves me correctly he killed 3 rallies with 2 on, 2 K’s and a GIDP.

When Guillen finally moves to DH, what a beautiful day that will be.

when i read a lot of the tigers blogs it seems like everyone wants to weigh Inge’s lack of offense higher than his excellent defense.

i know that there are tons of stat based studies on the whole offense vs defense thing, but do they take into account how a botched play on D can extend innings (i know the counter is that hitting well will also extent innings, so maybe i’m just venting)? take ordonez last night, he was one of the guys contributing to the offense last night, but his missed catch leads to a score instead of ending the inning.

i won’t totally throw guillen under the bus on his error (i think he mishandled it at first, but i also thought he was interfered with) however, that combined with an “inge-able” ball that got by him that same inning (i think)…you’re looking at a 4 run inning that likely would have been avoided or lessened with inge at 3rd.

so my question is why is it that people look at inge and see a lack of offense instead of what i see as 3-4 runs saved last night. isn’t a run saved as good as a run scored? and its not even like inge hasn’t contributed offensively this season either…he’s 4th on the team in RBI (14) and was one of the only guys hitting early. if nothing else, why can’t we swap Jacque “will not finish the season with an outfield assist (or steal)” Jones with Inge?

i’m sorry, this whole thing is driving me crazy! our starters aren’t this bad (ok some of them are), but they would look this bad if we were playing solid D and maybe its just because i keep looking for reasons to plug Inge back at 3rd, but i’m seeing lots of balls hit though the 3rd base area.

on the plus side, Miggy looks pretty good at 1st (even if he’s on pace for DH’ing @ 27).

-Sam

Verlander Sucks….. It’s time to dump this flash in the pan “ace”.

Something tells me this might be a slight overreaction. Although it probably would help them to achieve the 120 losses you predicted.