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Message #36 of 252  *NEW*
To:  All
From:  
The Olde English Ds  
Subject:  Corner Infielders
Date:  3/22/06, 12:10pm
graphic
Hello BGeeks,

The next positional analysis for the Tigers is the corner infielders. Typically with the 1B and 3B positions teams are looking for guys with some pop in their bat and tend to worry less about the defense. For the Tigers they meet this criterion at first, but not at third.

In one of the better moves of the last decade the Tigers obtained what may turn out to be their first baseman for the next 10 years. They got Chris Shelton in the rule 5 draft from the Pirates, who really dropped the ball on this one. Shelton can flat out rake. He started out as a catcher and made the move to first last season. Amazingly he played decent defensively following the transition. He is not spectacular defensively at first, but should continue to improve in his second year at the position. According to reports he put a lot of work in the off-season on improving defensively. Shelton is also currently listed as the Tiger’s third catcher. But what really makes Shelton potentially a special player is his hitting ability.

Last year “Red Pop,” one of Shelton’s many nicknames, hit .299 in 388 ABs. He also had 18 Homers and 59 RBIs. Red Pop puts the bat on the ball and does not strike out a lot. Shelton earned the starting first base position outplaying Carlos Pena. Expect Shelton to hit above .300 with about 25 HRs and potentially 100 RBIs. Because of his play the Tigers will likely either trade or release the underachieving Pena. Carlos has power, but does not hit for average and just never puts it together. If this happens the back-up at 1B will be Dmitri Young, who will be discussed further during the DH analysis.

The Tiger’s starting third baseman again this year is Brandon Inge, a converted catcher. It is interesting that the starting corner infielders are both converted catchers. Brandon played 73 games at third in 2004 before completely making the transition in 2005 with 160 starts. Defensively, Inge has struggled at times (23 errors) making the difficult positional change, but he did improve over the course of the year. Entering his second full season as the regular third baseman should enable Inge, a good athlete, to improve. Brandon is not a typically third baseman as he is not a power hitter only hitting 16 HRs with 72 RBIs last year. He started the season really hot with the bat and then cooled off. His average ended up at .261 after hitting .287 in 2004. His batting has improved significantly since making the move from catcher. As a catcher he hit .180, .202 and .203. Lifetime he is a .238 hitter. Inge would be an awesome super utility player, but has been asked to be the starting third baseman in Detroit. So his back-up Omar Infante will fill that role. While not a typically third sacker Inge fits well with the Tigers offense that already gets power from other positions. Brandon should hit in the .270-.275 neighborhood with around 15 HRs and 65-70 RBIs. Brandon is solid, but not spectacular.

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Go Tigers!!!
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Message #37 of 252  *NEW*
To:  The Olde English Ds's Blog Thread
From:  
rmayer78  
Subject:  Corner Infielders
Date:  3/22/06, 2:15pm
17 hits in 32 at bats, 3 HR's an OB% of .595 and slugging 1.000! And he's proven that he can put up some decent numbers if he gets the time and can stay healthy in the big leagues. A rookie season with 15 HR 58 RBI's a .309 BA and .362 OBP in just 74 games. I know it's only preseason and long past season numbers but those are some pretty good numbers to be ignored. So, where does Phelps fit in the mix? While I agree that Shelton is the man at first and Inge will start at third with Infante filling in every once in a while and Young will probably end up backing up first and an outfield position while batting a lot at DH isn't there still room for Phelps! At least to give him a chance, especially if Pena goes. Will Phelps be competing with Thames for a final roster spot?

As far as Inge goes I have high expectations for him both fielding and hitting wise. He'll be getting some great hitting opportunities with the lineup that'll be batting in front of him. I wouldn't be surprised if he hit 20 out and had 85 RBI's. Defensively he should be a lot more consistent also especially as the season goes on. The Tigers should be able to get something for Pena, he makes some amazing defensive plays at first and can crush the ball and gets walks. Hopefully, he's able to put it all together somewhere sometime.

I'd like to see Dmitri put together a great first half of the season and then get traded. I like him and all but I think the Tigers will need a more specialized bench player for a late season playoff push. Someone like Logan to come in and steal a base late in the game or to wreak havoc with a bunt. That way Logan can get some quality playing time in Toledo for at least half the season but his speed will be a huge asset if they are in the hunt for a playoff position.

Will the Tigers opt to make a trade for a veteran backup infielder instead of riding Infante?

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Message #38 of 252  *NEW*
To:  rmayer78
From:  
The Olde English Ds  
Subject:  Re: Corner Infielders
Date:  3/23/06, 6:41am
graphic
I definitely like the enthusiasm. However, I think you are putting a little too much weight into spring training statistics. Remember, most of these numbers were put up during the WBC when a number of top pitchers were not in camp. That said Phelps does have power that can not be argued as he hit 20 HR in less than 400 ABs in 2003. Phelps is a lifetime .268 hitter, but for whatever reason does not get regular playing time. There must be some reason for this. I'm not sure where he would fit in with the Tigers. The thing I've heard during the Tiger's spring training broadcasts is they may show of Phelps and attempt to trade him before breaking camp or utilize him as depth on the farm. A strike against Phelps making the Tigers is he bats right-handed and they need left-handed power hitters. This could be the reason Pena makes the team instead of Phelps. Either of those guys could be traded as well. It will be interesting to see how it plays out in the last few weeks of spring. Phelps will be 28 in May so he is no longer a young prospect.

I hope you are right about Inge. I very well think you could be. He should be one of the better 9th place hitters in baseball. Even in the last spot in the order he will be likely hitting after either a Pudge and Monroe or Young and Monroe combo in 7-8. Inge is my favorite current Tiger positional player so I tried not to get too carried away with my predictions for him. Particularly with the Tigers you have to pull hard for the home grown talent. I hope to have Granderson, Verlander and Zumaya quickly become personal favorites in addition to Brandon. The other reason I like Inge so much is personal. Back a few years when he separated his should Inge did his rehabilitation in Ann Arbor at the same place I went for a similar injury. Being the geek I am I brought in stuff and got some autographs and talked baseball with him. He came across as a really nice guy.

The problem the Tigers have in trading D. Young is his salary. That will likely make it tough to move him. He has a similar situation as Pudge in that regard, but I would not be opposed to moving either or both of them for the right return.

I don't think the Tigers will make a move for a veteran utility player. From what I hear they really like the future of Infante who is still a young guy.

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Message #39 of 252  *NEW*
To:  The Olde English Ds's Blog Thread
From:  
The Olde English Ds  
Subject:  Re: Corner Infielders
Date:  3/24/06, 4:41am
graphic
Well I guess we have the answer on Josh Phelps as he was sent down to Toledo. At least they have him available either for depth or trade bait.

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Message #44 of 252  *NEW*
To:  The Olde English Ds's Blog Thread
From:  
The Olde English Ds  
Subject:  Re: Corner Infielders
Date:  3/27/06, 6:11am
graphic
Another answer to the 1st base question is answered as the Tigers' release Carlos Pena yesterday. The guy has all kinds of talent and power, but never put everything together in his four years in Detroit. My hope was they could get something in return for him, but I do agree the time had come for Detroit to move forward. At a certain point a player ceases to be a prospect and transitions to being a 30 year old .230 hitter that strikes out a lot.

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Go Tigers!!!
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