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Getting Aubrey Huff A Good And Necessary Move For Tigers
Aubrey Huff hasn't had his best season, but he is still a solid major league hitter. He is also a left-handed batter, an obvious need for the Tigers, who have struggled mightily to score runs this season.
Throw in the fact he can play third base in a pinch, and it's obvious why general manager Dave Dombrowski had to pull the trigger on the deal Monday.
The Tigers had no viable option to play third base for Brandon Inge, and he is struggling with knee problems. Huff is no Brooks Robinson, but he isn't Ryan Raburn, either. He should help in that area.
The Tigers gave up something to get something. Brett Jacobson was their fourth-round draft choice in 2008 and it is likely he will pitch in the major leagues within the next couple years. But the Tigers do have relief pitching depth within their system. There were a few relievers in line ahead of Jacobson.
Throw in the fact he can play third base in a pinch, and it's obvious why general manager Dave Dombrowski had to pull the trigger on the deal Monday.
The Tigers had no viable option to play third base for Brandon Inge, and he is struggling with knee problems. Huff is no Brooks Robinson, but he isn't Ryan Raburn, either. He should help in that area.
The Tigers gave up something to get something. Brett Jacobson was their fourth-round draft choice in 2008 and it is likely he will pitch in the major leagues within the next couple years. But the Tigers do have relief pitching depth within their system. There were a few relievers in line ahead of Jacobson.
Labels: Detroit Tigers Aubrey Huff Ryan Raburn Dave Dombrowski
posted by Pat Caputo at
5:46 PM
14 Comments:
Well I certainly don't confess to know anything about Huff - just read his stats now - but Baltimore players aren't really on my radar screen. But it looks and sounds ok I guess.
I like his average with men on base (thats a big deal right now) - but other than that - hes a vetran with mediocre numbers.
Was the trigger pulled on this so fast beacause of Raburn had such a bad day yesterday? Or was this coincidence. Please don't kick me out of the blog for pointing out Raburns p*ss poor play.
As waiver deals go, this looks pretty ideal. Granted we may moan the loss of this "prospect" down the road, and Huff is another slew foot who is joins a team with too many guys who ought to DH. STILL, putting another legit left-handed bat in the line-up should have lots of positives. And though he's no golden glove, I'm guessing Leyland will take advantage of Huff's versatility and slip him out for a defensive replacement in late innings. We'll be leaning a little less on Rayburn/Thomas/Thames, none of whom seem to excel as every day players.
Hey Pat, If Huff can get a few key hits I'm all for the trade. Lord knows some of the current players aren't coming through in the clutch. Any ideas on who they'll move to make room? Also, will Maggs be on the team at the end of the year?
Great pickup. We needed another good bat and still have good reliever prospects to spare.
Brill, Huff has more RBI's than anyone on this team this year so I wouldn't call him mediocre. And while struggling this year overall he's only 32 and had an OPS of .912 last year. He'll likely be our second or third best bat now.
CF Granderson
2B Polanco
DH/LF Guillen
1B Cabrera
LF/DH Huff / Thames (platooning)
RF Ordonez
3B Inge / Huff
C Avila / Laird
SS Everett / Santiago
Much more dangerous lineup, particularly when Huff is giving Inge a rest at 3rd and Avila is in there.
Great move, now get rid of Marcus (Sporadic HR, a lot of K's, and no D) Thames. DH Maggs, put Huff in LF and have Granderson shade to LF to help cover the real estate. Thomas has enough speed to help cover the gap in right center.
Pat,
I absolutely love this move. Huff has been on the Tigers' wish list for a while now, and I believe they asked about him before the trade deadline, balking when the price was too high. Like your colleague Lynn Henning wrote today, relief pitching is the easiest position to replenish with minor league depth, and it is a position of strength for the Tigers after the 2008 draft.
Is Aubrey Huff the Sean Casey of 2009? I hope so since I purchased my postseason tickets today, and I'm not looking for a refund.
Travis
I like the move. But I am glad you point out he isn't Brooks Robinson. He is a good major league baseball player not a hall of fame savior. Hopefully fans will get off the tigers backs and start appreciating the fact we are in first place.
My mind the other guys still need to start making better decisions at the plate. I think we are letting to many good pitches go by and swinging at way to many bad ones. One thing is for sure you have to like our debth heading into the stretch run.. Plus we can really keep guys fresh as well as keeping the solid bats in the lineup cause of Huffs versatility. I think we should stop the platooning of Thomas and Ordonez. I don't mind it occasionally, but magglio seems to be coming out of it and the only way he can get in a rythm is to bat. I like a lineup of
CF Granderson
2B Polanco
LF Huff
1B Cabrera
DH Guillen/Thames/Rayburn
RF Ordonez/Thomas
C Avila/Laird
3B Inge
SS Santiago/Everett
Fred Brill,
Huff is just a really good, solid left-handed hitter. He is a pro and he can a number of positions OK. Tigers couldn't have gotten a better player to fill their need.
Caputo
Larry Baker,
He is a solid hitter. They put him fifth to protect Cabrera Tuesday. Cabrera had a big game. May not have been a coincidence.
Caputo
tigerclone,
It was a trade the Tigers had to make, even if Huff is a rent-a-player. I don't see them releasing Ordonez. If they did, it would shock the baseball world. It is uncharted territory in a way. Not sure if another club has ever been in quite this same situation.
Caputo
Maddog52,
Throw in Avila's contributions with Huff's addition, suddenly the Tigers lineup doesn't seem so bad. We'll see what they do on the road.
Caputo
Jeff H,
Leyland will follow form and mix and match his lineup. Thames will play some - a lot of if he gets hot. The beauty of Huff is that he does give the Tigers much needed wiggle room with lineup.
Caputo
Michael C,
They did lose a good prospect. They gave up more in this deal than they did in Washburn trade, in my opinion, but they have depth there in minors.
Caputo
Travis,
Casey was a better for average hitter, but was limited to first base. Huff has more power than Casey.
Caputo
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