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Monroe's slam states case for standing
There are certain Tiger players fans seems to think have not been key factors in the club's stunning success this season - and are therefore expendable. Brandon Inge has been one of those players. He is either loved or not highly-regarded - there is no in-between. Early in the season when he was putting up Ruth-like numbers, Chris Shelton was extremely popular. Now that he has struggled for an extended period, fans have soured on him. Craig Monroe, too, is one of those players.
Even though he had 89 RBI on a bad ball club last season. Even though he has hit a couple key home runs (one in Seattle early in the season especially comes to mind). Even though he fought hard through the bad times to be part of the Tigers now that the good times are here. Truth is, if the Tigers get an outfielder in a trade, Monroe might be part of the package. Even if he is not, he will placed on the bench regularly. Yet, his grand slam Wednesday in Detroit's 5-2 victory over the White Sox was by far the biggest hit of the season for the Tigers. That is why dealing at this time of the year presents a slippery slope for a contender. Monroe is part of the Tigers' mix. He is a reason they have been this good. He is part of the perfect blend. The Tigers need to look to get better, sure, but why is everybody so quick all the time to want manager Jim Leyland to bench Monroe? I'm not so sure that is fair to Craig Monroe. Nor am I sure replacing him in the lineup is in the best interests of the Tigers. I think, overall, he is a pretty good player.
Random thoughts
- With Shelton slumping, the Tigers need to call Dmitri Young up to the major leagues for a good week of at bats to see where he stands so they can make calculated decisions at the trade deadline. He needs to be here by the opener of the Oakland series Friday. Young reached base four times on a two singles and two walks for Toledo Wednesday.
- White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen made kind of an off-the-cuff comment about Kenny Rogers at the end of his session with the media following Wednesday’s game. It was a little insulting to Rogers. Something about the way he has pitched lately - which has not been good. If Rogers is so bad, then why did Guillen start him in the All Star Game?
- The best moment of Wednesday's game was when Jeremy Bonderman left the field to a standing ovation. It has been a long time since a Tigers pitcher has received an ovation like that. Maybe it has never happened at Comerica Park. He deserved it, too.
Even though he had 89 RBI on a bad ball club last season. Even though he has hit a couple key home runs (one in Seattle early in the season especially comes to mind). Even though he fought hard through the bad times to be part of the Tigers now that the good times are here. Truth is, if the Tigers get an outfielder in a trade, Monroe might be part of the package. Even if he is not, he will placed on the bench regularly. Yet, his grand slam Wednesday in Detroit's 5-2 victory over the White Sox was by far the biggest hit of the season for the Tigers. That is why dealing at this time of the year presents a slippery slope for a contender. Monroe is part of the Tigers' mix. He is a reason they have been this good. He is part of the perfect blend. The Tigers need to look to get better, sure, but why is everybody so quick all the time to want manager Jim Leyland to bench Monroe? I'm not so sure that is fair to Craig Monroe. Nor am I sure replacing him in the lineup is in the best interests of the Tigers. I think, overall, he is a pretty good player.
Random thoughts
- With Shelton slumping, the Tigers need to call Dmitri Young up to the major leagues for a good week of at bats to see where he stands so they can make calculated decisions at the trade deadline. He needs to be here by the opener of the Oakland series Friday. Young reached base four times on a two singles and two walks for Toledo Wednesday.
- White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen made kind of an off-the-cuff comment about Kenny Rogers at the end of his session with the media following Wednesday’s game. It was a little insulting to Rogers. Something about the way he has pitched lately - which has not been good. If Rogers is so bad, then why did Guillen start him in the All Star Game?
- The best moment of Wednesday's game was when Jeremy Bonderman left the field to a standing ovation. It has been a long time since a Tigers pitcher has received an ovation like that. Maybe it has never happened at Comerica Park. He deserved it, too.
posted by Pat Caputo at
5:53 AM
9 Comments:
Very timely important win. Have to get Shelton hitting again. I wonder if Rogers needs more rest between games because of his age. Great win, didn't know I could hold my breath that long. V.
anonymous,
Shelton's hitting slump is a concern. i don't think rogers situation is as much about his age as teams seeing him for a second time and third time in a season. they figure out how he works and lay off certain pitches and expand the strike zone on others they can hit. his start today will be interesting.
caputo
daver,
the only hitter bonderman walked was the last one he faced. that was key. i agree with you about the trade. don't make a trade just for the sake of making a trade. that will be tempting, especially for ilitch. but i do believe calmer heads will prevail and they will only make deals that make sense.
caputo
thinkingman,
it seems to go back and forth about making a trade. the day after they win, it doesn't seem to be that important. the day after they lose, it seems like they must. it's kind of funny how it works.
caputo
How much do you think hinges on Young doing well once he gets here? If he can fill in consistently at DH, I could absolutely live with a 60/40 Thames/Monroe platoon in left field with maybe Monroe getting to DH against lefties as well.
I'm a huge Inge fan. I think he has a gold glove in him at third some time in the next few years. He'd probably nab it this year if Crede weren't having such a good season.
I heard a rumor somewhere that the White Sox may be looking to pick up Jason Schmidt, which I found odd. I know some of their starters are struggling, but that's still one of their strengths. Then again, Tigers included, you can never have too many arms.
brian,
i think it is more a case of finding out what young can and can't do - and then moving on from there. i doubt the white sox are interested in jason schmidt for the reasons you mentioned, or that he's available. the giants, remember, are still very much in it.
caputo
gogetemdetroittigers,
Shelton's lack of production is an obvious concern. He was actually in pittsburgh's system before the tigers took him in the rule 5 draft. he is still a below average fielder overall, although he does a good job of digging the ball out of the dirt on wayward throws. he was originally a catcher. he is limited athletically and will really have to hit consistently well to have a long major league career. this is, obviously, a critical time for him. he's got a lot of fans, though, and is tough to bet against because of his work ethic and good attitude.
caputo
I tell you what the tigers did what they needed to do against the sox. They basically told them they weren't going away.
You were talking today on the radio and I couldn't agree with you more on everything you said. I don't feel the tigers need to make an extravigant trade. I am not giving up on Shelton yet I personally think it is to soon. However since the first month of the season he has been way to inconsistent. That is why I like the idea if Young can come up and be the guy he once was (if possible) then maybe go out and why not shoot for a hillenbrand. That is realistic. These juan piere and A-rod stuff is a joke. might as well say lets go get Pujols. I wouldn't bench Polanco either.
I tell you what the tigers did what they needed to do against the sox. They basically told them they weren't going away.
You were talking today on the radio and I couldn't agree with you more on everything you said. I don't feel the tigers need to make an extravigant trade. I am not giving up on Shelton yet I personally think it is to soon. However since the first month of the season he has been way to inconsistent. That is why I like the idea if Young can come up and be the guy he once was (if possible) then maybe go out and why not shoot for a hillenbrand. That is realistic. These juan piere and A-rod stuff is a joke. might as well say lets go get Pujols. I wouldn't bench Polanco either.
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