I was surprised by the "get the bum out of town" reaction we got to Magglio Ordonez’s benching while doing my radio show with Dennis Fithian before the Tigers’ game against St. Louis on Thursday.
Ordonez hasn’t been playing well. There is an obvious decline in his power. His fielding has been below par. He is 35 years old, there is a $30 million option that kicks in on his contract if he starts 135 games or has 540 plate appearances. A decision will have to be made on his future, but it is later.
It would be different if Tigers manager Jim Leyland just gave him a night off, but he called the benching "indefinite." It seemed like it made Ordonez the scapegoat for the Tigers’ offensive woes lately. He hasn’t hit well, that’s for sure, but is far from the only one.
The fans seem to be buying it. They want Ordonez out. I don’t agree at this point. I also think he should be put back in the lineup soon.
At least with Ordonez, there is a chance water will find a high level. That isn’t going to happen with Ryan Raburn or Clete Thomas or Josh Anderson or Marcus Thames. All will be exposed if played often. We’ve seen that in the past with Thames. Anderson is a good player, but must be used right. Not sure it is every day. Didn’t take Thomas long to slump and he has struggled at Triple-A. Raburn is, at best, a utility player. Only Thomas is that good defensively.
And don’t forget, Ordonez has been down and out before. Remember his ordeal at the end in Chicago? Remember his first year in Detroit? Remember how people wanted him replaced for Brett Clevlen in 2006?
Truth is, the Tigers would benefit a great deal if Ordonez returns to form. Or even comes close. Given his track record in Detroit and his comebacks in the past, he deserves the chance.
I would be surprised if Jim Leyland doesn’t give him one or two or three before the contract option has to be decided. I am shocked so many Tiger fans don’t want to give Ordonez even another one.
Maybe this is "bandwagon town" after all. Seems to be in the case of Magglio Ordonez.


Random Thoughts

- Contrary to the perception, Thursday’s win over St. Louis meant it wasn’t a bad road trip for the Tigers. They were 5-6. Only three American League teams are above .500 on the road - the Red Sox, Rangers and Angels - and each of those teams is just a game above .500.

- Dontrelle Willis has obviously pitched his last game for the Tigers. The "anxiety disorder" reasoning for putting him on the disabled list was likely done for insurance purposes to try to payoff his contract. Guess it’s the best way to describe what he has. Not sure if "The Thing" or "Steve Blass Disease" would fit legally.

- No major surprises at the NHL Awards. Just seemed weird seeing it in Las Vegas. Always thought it was Canada’s version of the Academy Awards. Still think Nicklas Lidstrom deserved the Norris Trophy, though.

My column in Friday's Oakland Press on Tigers:
http://tinyurl.com/nam5th