A lot is made about the bottom of the Tigers’ lineup being at fault for their often alarming lack of production, but the Tigers really don’t get a lot out of other parts of their lineup.
Magglio Ordonez isn’t driving the ball like he was early in the season. Carlos Guillen has not provided the extra spark offensively that had been anticipated since he returned to the lineup. Johnny Damon has slumped. These three players are making $39 million combined for this season. The reasonable expectation would be more production. Lots more.
The Tigers are ninth in the American League in runs scored and 10th in home runs. Their standing in both areas is dropping quickly. There have been the anticipated struggles from youngsters Austin Jackson and Brennan Boesch, but this is the time of the year when you’re big-money players are supposed to be your big-money producers. Sure, it’s disconcerting how little the Tigers are getting offensively at catcher and shortstop, but that’s not where their offensive issues will be decided. It will be from Ordonez, Damon and Guillen. Those three are not producing lately.
It’s no coincidence that neither is the team collectively.