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Tigers Being Unfair to Infante
The Tiger front office and Jim Leyland have done a brilliant job orchestrating this season. That is not even an issue. But come on, what is their deal with Neifi Perez getting all the playing time at second base ahead of Omar Infante? I honestly cannot believe how poorly Perez swings the bat left-handed. He is a little better right-handed, but not much. He runs well and is good at turning a double play, but Infante does those things well, too. And I do not see where Infante is not a good fielder. He made an error against Texas. It was costly. But how many costly errors have Brandon Inge and Carlos Guillen made this season? Leyland has been unfair to Infante by not playing him ahead of Perez during Placido Polanco's absence. Infante is a much bigger threat at the plate. There is also the factor that Infante has paid his dues as a bench player this season. He should be rewarded with a chance to play every day when it is presented. It would be different if Perez was discernibly better player, but he is not.
Random thoughts
- The Lions taking a one-day trip to Oakland for a preseason game makes no sense whatsoever. Getting off a plane after that long of a flight and then playing a football game just hours later must increase the risk of injury. And it is weird the way Rod Marinelli no comments the issue. It is as if he has something to hide.
- Count me among those who think Charlie Sanders belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Hurting him, though, is not having a championship ring. The tight ends with similar statistics in the Hall, such as Mike Ditka and Dave Casper, did play on championship teams. During Sanders' 10 years in the NFL, the Lions only had four winning seasons - none during his final five seasons. It is probably the biggest reason he flies so much under the radar, despite his obvious brilliance as a player. The guy made the acrobatic catch an art form.
Random thoughts
- The Lions taking a one-day trip to Oakland for a preseason game makes no sense whatsoever. Getting off a plane after that long of a flight and then playing a football game just hours later must increase the risk of injury. And it is weird the way Rod Marinelli no comments the issue. It is as if he has something to hide.
- Count me among those who think Charlie Sanders belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Hurting him, though, is not having a championship ring. The tight ends with similar statistics in the Hall, such as Mike Ditka and Dave Casper, did play on championship teams. During Sanders' 10 years in the NFL, the Lions only had four winning seasons - none during his final five seasons. It is probably the biggest reason he flies so much under the radar, despite his obvious brilliance as a player. The guy made the acrobatic catch an art form.
posted by Pat Caputo at
8:21 AM
15 Comments:
Mr C. i agree about your take on Perez. At his age i don't think he will improve. Missed the 10 nothing game. 9 of the runs scored after 2 outs. ? The game that bothers me was the 7 to 5 game. I think they should have put that game in the win column. Vinny
Vinny,
The bad part, though, is that the Tigers didn't put up much of a fight Thursday to hurt the White Sox by making them use their bullpen. It is now totally rested after the White Sox had to use their key relievers the previous two days.
caputo
Pat,
Whoa, be careful... you're going to have that Casey Basher calling back to Extra Innings to get in your case! (lol)
The only thing that makes any sense regarding Neifi Perez is that the organization is worried about Polanco's availability for the playoffs. I believe Infante will be included on the active roster, but if Placido can't make it back, and barring any last second callups, ala Ryan Raburn, Perez will be on it too.
Is there a date that freezes the active roster prior to post-season play? Can players be DL'd and replaced the same way as the regular season? This might explain why Omar Infante isn't playing; critical decisions on the roster are approaching fast. Without Polanco in the playoffs, I'll bet Infante is the Tiger starter at 2B, and Perez the UT.
Saturday I'm off for my first road game of the season. I hope you don't decide to go to Cleveland, to take in the game as a fan in the crowd. WOW... (or as Jim might say, DOUBLE WOW) how did that 10-0 thumping feel, being a spectator for the first time in ages? OUCH! I like ya, Book, but your karma SUCKS!
Pat,
Whoa, be careful... you're going to have that Casey Basher calling back to Extra Innings to get in your case! (lol)
The only thing that makes any sense regarding Neifi Perez is that the organization is worried about Polanco's availability for the playoffs. I believe Infante will be included on the active roster, but if Placido can't make it back, and barring any last second callups, ala Ryan Raburn, Perez will be on it too.
Is there a date that freezes the active roster prior to post-season play? Can players be DL'd and replaced the same way as the regular season? This might explain why Omar Infante isn't playing; critical decisions on the roster are approaching fast. Without Polanco in the playoffs, I'll bet Infante is the Tiger starter at 2B, and Perez the UT.
Saturday I'm off for my first road game of the season. I hope you don't decide to go to Cleveland, to take in the game as a fan in the crowd. WOW... (or as Jim might say, DOUBLE WOW) how did that 10-0 thumping feel, being a spectator for the first time in ages? OUCH! I like ya, Book, but your karma SUCKS!
Garold,
LOL on going to the game as a fan. It was the first time I have sat in the seats at Comerica Park other than a couple innings to talk to scouts once in awhile. It was different, but I enjoyed it. I must admit my comfort zone is more the press box, even though wxyt provided great seats right behind home plate. I agree about the casey comparison. I admit I am being a bit rash on my opinions about Perez. It's just his swing from the left side looks so bad. And that I think Infante is kind of getting jobbed.
caputo
dt,
I know where you are coming from on Infante. Sometimes you keep hearing how good a player is going to be - and then it never happens. As for Ordonez, he's been playing with a lot of nagging injuries. I think that has a lot to do with his slow down. I would be surprised, though, if he doesn't find a second wind coming up here shortly. He's a pretty good player.
caputo
I agree a hundred percent with your take on Perez. Personally I thought it was a joke of a signing. You can't tell me he is better then infante. I actually think Infante is/was playing very well. At least he can hit and his fielding isn't all that bad. If they were going to upgrage I am surprised they didn't go after a Cantu or something frmo tampa bay one who could make a real impact not this crap with Perez.
ON the Tigers note. I really think it is time for another APril 17th type rant by Jim Leyland. This team seems to fire up when a little kick to the rear. They have looked awful in recent games both offensively and defensively.
They are still in it , but they need to start playing smarter baseball. If they do I thin they can go really far.
I kind of like what Marinelli is doing to the lions. A little tough love showing them for a change that this thing is for real. It is crazy, but in a football sense I think it shows good signs.
Charlie Sanders definately deserves to make the Hall. A very good tight end. You can think the fords and the bone head front office people for the lack of appreciation for some good talent in Detroit that might be passed up. SPeilman, GLover, Lomas, jerry ball. How come some of these uys can't even get a jersey retired.
I agree a hundred percent with your take on Perez. Personally I thought it was a joke of a signing. You can't tell me he is better then infante. I actually think Infante is/was playing very well. At least he can hit and his fielding isn't all that bad. If they were going to upgrage I am surprised they didn't go after a Cantu or something frmo tampa bay one who could make a real impact not this crap with Perez.
ON the Tigers note. I really think it is time for another APril 17th type rant by Jim Leyland. This team seems to fire up when a little kick to the rear. They have looked awful in recent games both offensively and defensively.
They are still in it , but they need to start playing smarter baseball. If they do I thin they can go really far.
I kind of like what Marinelli is doing to the lions. A little tough love showing them for a change that this thing is for real. It is crazy, but in a football sense I think it shows good signs.
Charlie Sanders definately deserves to make the Hall. A very good tight end. You can think the fords and the bone head front office people for the lack of appreciation for some good talent in Detroit that might be passed up. SPeilman, GLover, Lomas, jerry ball. How come some of these uys can't even get a jersey retired.
I'd like to see them keep Infante as insurance for next year. I think he is a good shortstop and would be insurance against Guillen getting injured or possibly walking as a free agent after 2007. With the Tigers having a need at 1st base also, it could be possible to move Guillen to 1st and allow Infante to be SS.
maddog52,
i'm not sure if leyland ripping into the team right now is what they need. i'm not sure if this recent slide isn't only a case of water finding its proper level. i still think the tigers will win the division, but they were due for this slump. lets put it this way, they were on pace to win 110 games - more than the '61 yankees. that would be a bit unrealistic to expect that.
caputo
roggoogdavy,
good point about the '88 tigers. they were in it until the final week. they finished a game back, but it was a bit misleading. they swept the yankees the final weekend of the season after they were knocked out. that sweep was the difference between finishing second and fifth that season.
caputo
anonymous,
i don't see them moving guillen to first base full time. despite the errors he makes, he is still their best defensive shortstop. but you make some sound points.
caputo
thinkingman,
a lot of people seem to be in the same boat with you. they aren't quite as interested in the lions as they used to be. part of it is the success of all the other pro teams in this town, particularly the tigers. part of it is the lions continual problems.
caputo
Pat,
I feel the lions are bush league when it comes to the way they handled the trip to Oakland.
Pratice counts but sitting M Williams to prove what point? Being a hard ass gets old to players and fans.
anonymous,
their travel plans to oakland and not playing mike williams in that game is telling that the lions still don't have a grip. and yes, it is disappointing.
caputo
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