RSS
Ryan Raburn At Third Base = Recipe For Disaster
I know what Tigers manager Jim Leyland is trying to accomplish by playing Ryan Raburn at third base to spell Brandon Inge, but it is a recipe for disaster.
Raburn, an outfielder throughout much of his college career, signed with the Tigers as a third baseman. He was moved, however, to second base after making 62 errors in just 168 games at third base in his first three minor league seasons. He can't play third base. It's that simple. He has four errors in five games there this year - and it isn't a surprise.
Thing is, Leyland doesn't have many options. Inge is ailing. He does need to rest his knees occassionally.
Ramon Santiago, the Tigers utility infielder, has played third base just seven times his entire professional career. In five games there in the minor leagues, and just 15 chances (in 2005), he made two errors. Not much of an option there, either, it seems. The Tigers have no viable options at Triple-A or Double-A, as well.
As is, Inge's balky knees better hold up or the Tigers are in trouble. They better be looking for a third baseman with a respectable glove they can get through waivers - at least for a stretch run in September.
This is a team that wins on pitching and defense. That goes out the door with a hole like that at third base. Saw the vivid proof of it Sunday.
Random Thoughts
- In the NFL, talent is described as size, strength, speed and durability. It's a rough league. The demands physically on players are enormous. It's not a good sign early Lions draft picks Louis Delmas and Brandon Pettigrew spend so much practice time on the sideline, nor did not see action in the team's first preseason game Saturday vs. Atlanta. Are they durable? Can they hold up?
- Tiger Woods is golf. If he wins or is in contention, it's a good week for the sport and the PGA. When he isn't in contention, nor doesn't participate in a given tournament, it's a bad week. Golf has become that simple.
- Of all the towns I didn't expect Michael Vick to land, Philadelphia was at the head of the list. Talk about stirring up a hornet's nest in a city that thrives on controversy. Now this will be interesting.
My column in Monday's Oakland Press about the declining reputation of Big Ten football. Has it ever been worse? http://tinyurl.com/l4498l
Raburn, an outfielder throughout much of his college career, signed with the Tigers as a third baseman. He was moved, however, to second base after making 62 errors in just 168 games at third base in his first three minor league seasons. He can't play third base. It's that simple. He has four errors in five games there this year - and it isn't a surprise.
Thing is, Leyland doesn't have many options. Inge is ailing. He does need to rest his knees occassionally.
Ramon Santiago, the Tigers utility infielder, has played third base just seven times his entire professional career. In five games there in the minor leagues, and just 15 chances (in 2005), he made two errors. Not much of an option there, either, it seems. The Tigers have no viable options at Triple-A or Double-A, as well.
As is, Inge's balky knees better hold up or the Tigers are in trouble. They better be looking for a third baseman with a respectable glove they can get through waivers - at least for a stretch run in September.
This is a team that wins on pitching and defense. That goes out the door with a hole like that at third base. Saw the vivid proof of it Sunday.
Random Thoughts
- In the NFL, talent is described as size, strength, speed and durability. It's a rough league. The demands physically on players are enormous. It's not a good sign early Lions draft picks Louis Delmas and Brandon Pettigrew spend so much practice time on the sideline, nor did not see action in the team's first preseason game Saturday vs. Atlanta. Are they durable? Can they hold up?
- Tiger Woods is golf. If he wins or is in contention, it's a good week for the sport and the PGA. When he isn't in contention, nor doesn't participate in a given tournament, it's a bad week. Golf has become that simple.
- Of all the towns I didn't expect Michael Vick to land, Philadelphia was at the head of the list. Talk about stirring up a hornet's nest in a city that thrives on controversy. Now this will be interesting.
My column in Monday's Oakland Press about the declining reputation of Big Ten football. Has it ever been worse? http://tinyurl.com/l4498l
posted by Pat Caputo at
11:52 AM
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