RSS
Alex Avila at third base - smart move or recipe for disaster for Tigers?
Tigers manager Jim Leyland said after Thursday's victory over Cleveland that he will likely start Alex Avila at third base tonight in the opener of the Tigers' interleague series at Colorado.
"I know, people are going to be saying, "He is taking an All Star catcher and moving him to third base.' If it works, I'll be a genius. If it doesn't, I'll be a $%^# idiot. But that's the way it is. I have to make those decisions sometimes."
Leyland has hit Avila a lot of ground balls at third base.
"Look, I can field ground balls in that case, it's different (in the game)," Leyland said. "But Alex has soft hands and a strong arm. He is a good third baseman."
I see this is as a nothing-ventured-nothing-gained proposition. If it doesn't work, it's June. It's not like they are trying something different down the stretch of a pennant race. If it does work, it'll give the Tigers much more versatility with their lineup - even when they are back to using the DH.
It would allow for Magglio Ordonez to DH at times, or get more left-handed hitters in the lineup.
That's the upside. The downside is that you're weakening two spots defensively - third base and catcher. Victor Martinez is not as strong defensively as Avila behind the plate, and it would be a stretch to expect Avila to be as good defensively as Donald Kelly or Brandon Inge (when the latter comes back from rehab assignment) at third base.
"I know, people are going to be saying, "He is taking an All Star catcher and moving him to third base.' If it works, I'll be a genius. If it doesn't, I'll be a $%^# idiot. But that's the way it is. I have to make those decisions sometimes."
Leyland has hit Avila a lot of ground balls at third base.
"Look, I can field ground balls in that case, it's different (in the game)," Leyland said. "But Alex has soft hands and a strong arm. He is a good third baseman."
I see this is as a nothing-ventured-nothing-gained proposition. If it doesn't work, it's June. It's not like they are trying something different down the stretch of a pennant race. If it does work, it'll give the Tigers much more versatility with their lineup - even when they are back to using the DH.
It would allow for Magglio Ordonez to DH at times, or get more left-handed hitters in the lineup.
That's the upside. The downside is that you're weakening two spots defensively - third base and catcher. Victor Martinez is not as strong defensively as Avila behind the plate, and it would be a stretch to expect Avila to be as good defensively as Donald Kelly or Brandon Inge (when the latter comes back from rehab assignment) at third base.
posted by Pat Caputo at
10:16 AM
19 Comments:
Avila is the best catcher we have. Inge will probably be back in a few weeks. Don Kelly is good at third and better than Inge offensively.
I'm wondering why this idea is even being considered.
Hey Book, I'm all for giving an idea a shot ... but this seems to have more downside than upside.
Avila is on a roll right now - in a rhythm that I hate to see disturbed ... and I can't see how Avila is more valuable at 3rd than catching.
Except ...
Avila at third puts Martinez (your DH) at catch and Boesch can stay in right while you see where Magglio's bat is at by DHing ... but if Mags is hot - and you want to bring Inge back from his "mono" DL rehab - who do you sit?
It's a no-brainer that we need a trade at the break for a 2-bagger - but just what and who are we showcasing here? I would think at this point and time that Avila's untouchable - so is it Boesch?
Tune in tomorrow when Valverde gets moved to first so Miggy can give a try in the bullpen ...
I love this season!
Whatever Leyland has to do to keep Brandon Inge out of the lineup - do it. Average third baseman and poor excuse for a major league hitter.
Lynn, since the NL does not have a DH, Either Avila or Martinenz (whose only other position is 3B) has to be benched. I found it interesting that Leyland would rather try his best catcher at 3B than stick Cabrera (who arrived to the Tigers as a third sacker) over there for a few games. Sometimes the Tigers pay deference to players (Ordonez patrols RF even though he can't move, Inge won't catch) in ways that I don't quite understand).
Larry, I get that about the NL games coming up. You nail the biggest problem I think, when you say Leyland has a bizarre loyality to certain guys like Magglio.
Maybe I'm looking at this the wrong way, but perhaps with the upcoming NL games, the focus ought to be on helping the pitchers improve their batting ability.
I think it is worth a try. If he boots a few, you reconsider.
I was at the game yesterday and saw two errors by infielders who are "infielders" not catchers so...
This team is going to contend carrying Brandon Inge at third base for the second half? I suppose it is possible but...
First thing, I LOVE tonight's lineup tonight. The best offensive lineup Jim's put together all season, because for once he doesn't have a player in the one or two hole that gets on base less than 30% of the time (like Don Kelly).
So I give high marks to Jim for batting Boesch 2nd and Cabrera 3rd.
But for road interleague games I think they should put Cabrera at 3rd and V-Mart at 1st. That way you only lose defense at one spot and can still get all your big bats in the lineup.
i understand the move in trying to keep both Avila and Martinez bats in the lineup especially in Denver where the games can be high scoring.
LaRussa has been doing similar with putting Pujols at 3b a bit and Berkman at 1b. More to give Berkman a break from the OF, I believe.
it'll be interesting to see what happens in late innings of close game with Avila at 3rd. will he shift to C with Martinez to bench and defensive replacement at 3b? if so, creates the same problem as usual as it limits Leyland's further moves with no C replacement available.
Better option might be just to give Victor and Alex a day or two off to keep their legs fresh as the hot summer months approach.
The Tigers hitting is so inconsistent that they have to sacrifice potential D to get that bat into the game, so I'm for this.
But it might weaken them in the pinch hitting role a touch, which hurts in an NL park.
Leave Cabrera at first. He quarterbacks the pitchers in holding baserunners, and I like that. And why risk injury to your stud? But yeah, you could get him in at 3rd in a pinch, I suppose.
Any other young catcher, I wouldn't ask them to play 3rd. But Avila is sturdy and mature. He can handle the pressure, I think.
My golly, miss molly.
I didn't know that we had so many top line baseball managers in this town.
Relax guys.
Lynn Benoit,
I don't believe Kelly is better offensively than Inge. Kelly, in my mind, is a 24th or 25th man on the roster. At least Inge has a chance to turn it around based on a track record and that perhaps he didn't performance well for reasons of health.
Caputo
Fred Brill,
You are right from the standpoint: Avila is playing very well - why mess with that.
Caputo
Anonymous,
Was true about Inge this season before he went on DL, but you're paying him for two years and Donald Kelly is only option - or Avila, just partime. Have to give Inge a chance to see if he didn't play well because he was ill.
Caputo
Larry Baker,
Cabrera made five errors in 14 games at third base before they moved him to first in '08. That was about 50 pounds ago. And he is a good first baseman.
Caputo
Core Contrarian,
I think it is worth a try - and you will likely see it again in LA.
Caputo
Michael C,
I wouldn't hit Martinez first. I'd put him in a spot where he can drive in runs. I'd keep Jackson leadoff.
Caputo
Woody,
I think it was smart for Leyland not to put Avila at third for Sunday's game because Verlander is pitching and defense at a premium.
Caputo
Anonymous,
Tigers hitting has been inconsistent, but no more so than maost teams in baseball. But does that make defense any less important? It's an interesting question.
Caputo
Pat, I was talking about V-Mart playing first base in inter-league games, not batting first ... Cabrera playing 3rd for a few games would allow Avila to stay behind the plate without resting Martinez.
But my main point was that we need a guy in the #2 hole that can get on base more often. That's why I liked the Jackson-Boesch-Cabrera-Martinez lineup.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home