I’m not trying to paint an overly optimistic picture of what remain dire straits for the Tigers’ postseason hopes, honest, but Brandon Inge and Carlos Guillen will be back in the lineup shortly. Inge could return as soon as tonight against the White Sox, and Guillen could be back within the next week or so.
And down only seven games with roughly a third of the season remaining, I would try to get another bat for the outfield or DH spot - and make a run for it.
Too soon to give up. There will still be trades. Players just have to clear waivers, that’s all.
Moving Jhonny Peralta to shortstop, will give the Tigers a solid infield offensively, although it might be spotty defensively.
Peralta has been a major league regular at shortstop in the past, and there were obvious range issues as he outgrew the position physically. Second base is a relatively new spot for Guillen.
But the run production will be much better - and it’s not like the Tigers are taking gold-glove performers off second base and shortstop to make room for Guillen and Peralta.
Albeit against tough competition, the Tigers are at home. That should help. There is speculation mounting they might look at trading Johnny Damon, but if I think the Tigers should just go all-out and see what happens.
And then re-evaluate their circumstances following the season.

My latest column in The Oakland Press: Everything worked out for Suh, but just in the nick of time http://tinyurl.com/2ekq86u

My column this week about how the Lions offense is way ahead of their defense: http://tinyurl.com/27jb43s