Center field has been a question mark for the Tigers since trading Cameron Maybin to the Angels on the first day of the offseason, and to this point, the most logical scenario has looked to be a platoon between the out-of-options Tyler Collins and trade pickup Mikie Mahtook. Anthony Gose was previously outrighted off the 40-man roster — though he remains in the organization — and although JaCoby Jones was a frequently mentioned candidate, he’s still rather inexperienced at the position after shifting there from shortstop. Nonetheless, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press tweeted today that Detroit manager Brad Ausmus offered high praise for Jones’ glovework thus far in camp and characterized him as a legitimate candidate to land the job. That said, Fenech also tweets that scouts have told him that the Tigers are continuing to monitor other teams in search of potential center field alternatives to their in-house candidates.
A bit more on the Tigers…
- Right fielder J.D. Martinez tells MLB.com’s Jason Beck that he was “really bothered” by the precipitous drop-off in his defensive ratings from 2015 to 2016. Martinez went from a Gold Glove finalist with very sound grades from Ultimate Zone Rating and Defensive Runs Saved (in 2015) to one of the worst defensive outfielders in all of Major League Baseball in the estimation of those same metrics just one year later. Beck points out, though, that Martinez’s outfield assist total plummeted from 15 to three, while his error total rose (despite tallying fewer innings). Martinez expressed frustration with the downturn and said he’s placed an increased emphasis on his defense in an attempt to rebuild his reputation in the outfield. While the slugger did acknowledge that defensive prowess is becoming an increasingly important factor in free agency — and Martinez will hit the open market next winter — he stressed that his focus on improving his defense is to help the Tigers’ 2017 performance.
- Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com writes that the Tigers are looking to add some more catching depth and wonders if their recent back-to-back pair of games with the Phillies could offer a potential solution. Salisbury notes that the Phillies have a number of catching options in camp, including veteran Ryan Hanigan, whom the Tigers saw quite a bit when he started consecutive games against them this week. Former Tiger Bryan Holaday is also vying to be the backup to Cameron Rupp in Philadelphia, as are younger options Andrew Knapp and Logan Moore (though Knapp isn’t considered a trade candidate). James McCann and Alex Avila are currently lined up to be the primary backstops for Detroit in 2017, with minor league veteran John Hicks also on the 40-man roster as a Triple-A depth option. Barring an injury to McCann or Avila, I’d imagine that any catching addition would be Triple-A bound himself, though certainly there’s value in accruing additional depth at a thin position.
Jones played OF in college, so CF is not that foreign to him. And while the Tigers might be looking for catching depth, they should be looking for pitching. Guys who should be major leaguers are getting rocked by minor league hitters so far this spring. Yea, it’s early, but at some point you have to get hitters out, and too many of these guys are not so far this spring.
YES
Lowe looked sharp in his last outing… oh wait no he didn’t… nevermind… just nevermind….
His Wikipedia says that he played 2B in college. They attempted to play him in CF as a sophomore, but they moved him back to 2B. Now I wasn’t there, so I don’t know the reason for the switch back, but I’d assume he wasn’t very good in CF. Otherwise, I have no idea why they’d move him off the more demanding defensive position…
Wikipedia said the definition of clutch is Matthew Stafford
Martinez for Major League #3 starter?
In your dreams
Anabal sanchez or Mike Pelfry for one of Hangigan or Holiday. A way to offload one of those contracts is a no brainier and the Phillies could use some veteran rotation help for a year or two until their young arms are really ready to go and can last a full season in the majors and do well and not get hurt or feel rushed
There’s no way in the world Pelfrey or Sanchez have any trade value at all, Sanchez probably not if his entire contract was paid by Detroit and Pelfrey certainly not if his deal was paid. Keep dreaming. Teams don’t even trade backups or AAA catchers for spare parts… especially not expensive ones.
Philly is already paying back end starters Bucholz and hendrick 30m. If one added the 17m, plus 5m extra to decline his 2018 option? it would be 50m for back end starters this season. Nobody would do that, it’s madness they are paying 30m for the 2 they have.
Look at what Philly gave up for Bucholz making “only” 13.5m.. A non prospect in Josh Tobias. Sanchez, making more and with same-worse results could be worth less than that. he’s not getting anything of any value.
Hannigan still has a solid glove and can throw, the bat is pretty much gone, or was last year. He might get some long lost the luster prospect.
Release pelfrey, Sanchez and Lowe can’t stand to see that garbage anymore.
The Tired Trio of Tigers (Sanchez, Pelfrey, Lowe) known as the “TTT” gang in Detroit and if they go North with the team they will be known as the “TNT” gang cause ERA’s are going to blow up. Not a lick of trade value…BOOM..!..!..!
How does commenting work..?
OK I get it now.. duh
Tiger OF Watch:
Keep Alex Presley and Jason Krizan.
Cut Tyler Collins, Mikie Mahtook, Anthony Gose and Steve Moya