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A look at what will likely be the Detroit Tigers postseason roster
This is how the Tigers postseason roster will likely breakdown and the decisions they must make, which are fairly minimal
Infield
1. Miguel Cabrera
2. Jhonny Peralta
3. Ramon Santiago
4. Wilson Betemit
5. Ryan Raburn
6. Brandon Inge
Outfield
7. Austin Jackson
8. Delmon Young
9. Magglio Ordonez
10. Andy Dirks
11. Donald Kelly
Catcher
12.Alex Avila
DH
13. Victor Martinez
Pitchers
14. Justin Verlander
15. Doug Fister
16. Max Scherzer
17. Rick Porcello
18. Jose Valverde
19. Joaquin Benoit
20. Phil Coke
21. Daniel Schelerth
22. David Pauley
23. Ryan Perry
24. Brad Penny
Decisions have to be made on the injury-plagued duo of Carlos Guillen and Alberto Alburquerque, depending on their health. Guillen is a veteran presence, who is more than capable of delivering a big hit in the postseason. Inge has more value to the Tigers on the postseason roster because he can catch if something happens to Avila and serve as da efensive replacement. Inge might even be used for a spot start against left-handers, but hasn’t done so well against the top lefties Tigers might see in postseason (0-3 against Jon Lester, 2-for-8 against David Price, .190 in 58 at bats with just a homer and three RBI against C.C. Sabathia).
But if Alburquerque’s health is still iffy, why not put Guillen in? Do the Tigers need 12 pitchers in postseason? Probably not. If both Alburquerque and Guillen are in, that would leave Penny likely out. But that would be a bit of gamble. They need a pitcher to capable of coming in relief in case a starter has a short outing. Half of Penny’s eight postseason appearances have been in relief, and he’s been reasonably effective in the role.
Infield
1. Miguel Cabrera
2. Jhonny Peralta
3. Ramon Santiago
4. Wilson Betemit
5. Ryan Raburn
6. Brandon Inge
Outfield
7. Austin Jackson
8. Delmon Young
9. Magglio Ordonez
10. Andy Dirks
11. Donald Kelly
Catcher
12.Alex Avila
DH
13. Victor Martinez
Pitchers
14. Justin Verlander
15. Doug Fister
16. Max Scherzer
17. Rick Porcello
18. Jose Valverde
19. Joaquin Benoit
20. Phil Coke
21. Daniel Schelerth
22. David Pauley
23. Ryan Perry
24. Brad Penny
Decisions have to be made on the injury-plagued duo of Carlos Guillen and Alberto Alburquerque, depending on their health. Guillen is a veteran presence, who is more than capable of delivering a big hit in the postseason. Inge has more value to the Tigers on the postseason roster because he can catch if something happens to Avila and serve as da efensive replacement. Inge might even be used for a spot start against left-handers, but hasn’t done so well against the top lefties Tigers might see in postseason (0-3 against Jon Lester, 2-for-8 against David Price, .190 in 58 at bats with just a homer and three RBI against C.C. Sabathia).
But if Alburquerque’s health is still iffy, why not put Guillen in? Do the Tigers need 12 pitchers in postseason? Probably not. If both Alburquerque and Guillen are in, that would leave Penny likely out. But that would be a bit of gamble. They need a pitcher to capable of coming in relief in case a starter has a short outing. Half of Penny’s eight postseason appearances have been in relief, and he’s been reasonably effective in the role.
Labels: Detroit Tigers Justin Verlander Miguel Cabrera Pat Caputo
posted by Pat Caputo at
10:56 AM
14 Comments:
Percy? I'm assuming you meant Pauley? I expect Alburquerque (even with health concerns) to make it over Pauley, for whatever reason Leyland doesn't seem to trust Pauley a whole lot.
Has Inge practiced at catcher at all recently? It didn't seem like he was an option to be the emergency catcher during the season, why would the playoffs be different?
Pat,
Do you think Schelerth will be on the roster simply because he's a lefty or because of other reasons? I understand that they're a bit light on lefty pitchers, but come on, this guy isn't the most reliable guy in the bullpen. He seems to either walk everyone or everyone seems to tee off on him. From what I can see, he only has 2 pitches and neither of these pitches is overly dominant and he seems to lack command.
lil rob
I take Guillen and push out Penny. These playoff teams will kill his non-moving fastball.
pretty sure Inge will start against likes of Sabathia, Lester. Betemit doesn't hit lefties either, so Inge's defense wins out.
Schlereth is a lock. Can't go with just one lefty reliever. He's earned the spot with a solid 2nd half.
Penny could help in a blowout or long extra inning game...soaking up innings so the rest of the pen doesn't get spent.
sure hope Albuquerque is a go. the middle relief corps otherwise could be the Tigers' achilles this postseason. at the least, they'll add another layer of suspense.
Pat, like you say Tigers do not need 12 pitchers they need 11. I think Rhymes should be or someone faster that can pinch run in the late innings be the 25th man. Most of the Tigers are not bless with speed. I would take healthy Guillen over Rhymes, because a pinch hitter trumps a pinch runner.
Penny is going to soak up innings? Had better have a 5 run lead... may I have directions to dreamland?
Anonymous,
It was corrected. Inge is the Tigers backup catcher right now.
Caputo
Anonymous,
He's been inconsistent, but Tigers look at him as one of their situational guys and a long reliever.
Caputo
Anonymous,
After last night's outing, you might be right.
Caputo
Woody,
Maybe. But if you use Inge in the early innings, it takes flexibly out of later innings. He hasn't done well against top lefties. If they switch to right-hander and put in Betemit, stuck with him late innings and glove.
Caputo
Barry,
I'd say Rhymes might work if he could play more than just one position. But he is strictly a second baseman.
Caputo
Lil rob
didn't see name at end.
Anonymous,
Last night, in particular, was not good for Penny's postseason roster chances.
Caputo
In defense to Penny, he was put in a box by the pitching strategy. What validates my comment about his ineffective fastball is that the staff wanted him to throw a lot of off speed pitches early in the game and lay off the fastball.
Hitters were in control after seeing this.
This was a test that didn't work out.
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