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Change at second base could just be the start for slumping Tigers
Let the shuttle between Detroit and Toledo begin.
First up: Scott Sizemore. First down Will Rhymes.
Switching second basemen after a seventh straight loss Monday night, this time against the Yankees, could be just the beginning.
Next Up: The Tigers will likely make a move on the pitching staff - probably Brad Thomas out, Phil Coke moved from the rotation to the bullpen, and Andrew Oliver, who has pitched well in most of his starts at Toledo, called up to join the rotation.
To follow: Andy Dirks called up from Toledo, probably to replace Casper Wells. Seems improbable the Tigers will send either Austin Jackson or Brennan Boesch out this early. Jackson is their only above-average outfielder defensively. Boesch has struggled the last few games, but did hit well to open the season.
Another issue: Is manager Jim Leyland in trouble? If he is, Tom Brookens is the likely replacement. Gene Lamont and Lloyd McClendon would be out. They are a package deal with Leyland.
First up: Scott Sizemore. First down Will Rhymes.
Switching second basemen after a seventh straight loss Monday night, this time against the Yankees, could be just the beginning.
Next Up: The Tigers will likely make a move on the pitching staff - probably Brad Thomas out, Phil Coke moved from the rotation to the bullpen, and Andrew Oliver, who has pitched well in most of his starts at Toledo, called up to join the rotation.
To follow: Andy Dirks called up from Toledo, probably to replace Casper Wells. Seems improbable the Tigers will send either Austin Jackson or Brennan Boesch out this early. Jackson is their only above-average outfielder defensively. Boesch has struggled the last few games, but did hit well to open the season.
Another issue: Is manager Jim Leyland in trouble? If he is, Tom Brookens is the likely replacement. Gene Lamont and Lloyd McClendon would be out. They are a package deal with Leyland.
posted by Pat Caputo at
12:32 PM
5 Comments:
I'm shocked you'd even mention sending down Boesch. He's easily been our 2nd best hitter this year, and this current "slump" is like 1/10 as long as the one that Jackson and Magglio are on.
I'm hoping Sizemore's callup means a trip to the DL for Magglio. At the moment Magglio is not right and it's killing our offense. He needs a rest.
So Will Rhymes who is hitting- just not as well as last year- is out. Austin Jackson who leads the AL in strike outs stays because he's so good defensively. Good plan. Let's leave Jackson in the lead off spot too!
The next Toledo call-up should be to replace Raburn. It boggles my mind that he has struck out 40 times in 107 at bats, is hitting
.234, is ATROCIOUS defensively and smiles after he messes up...yet Jim Leyland just seems to love him. For the life of me, I don't get it.
I agree with you that Dirks should be brought up, but I don't think Boesch is being considered for a demotion. He is moving up to the 3rd spot in the order, so he is still highly regarded. I think that Casper is the likely candidate to go down for Dirks. As a lefty, Dirks could play against some of the tough righties like Bartolo Colon in place of Austin Jackson.
Brookens as a replacement? I suppose you are right that he is the logical interim candidate if Leyland gets fired during the season, which is highly unlikely. But I fear he will be as bad as Luis Pujols. He just doesn't seem to have the right leadership skills for a major league manager's job. Of course, it is hard to tell from afar.
In hindsight this change looks as good as it did in foresight.
My lovely wife Darlene made the observation when chatting online with Will Rhymes girlfriend ...
"Why don't they bring up the Toledo batting coaches and send these coaches down to Toledo?"
I laughed when she told me about it of course - but then I thought about it ...
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