Spring Training 2013

With pitchers and catchers reporting this week - Spring Training 2013 begins.

Barring inuries, who do you guys think will make the 25 man roster?

(Extra Credit - what PLAYER(S) do you feel will fill the "hate" list left empty by the loss of Inge and Raburn?)

Tigers' opening day roster.........

C- Avila
1B - Fielder
2B - Infante
SS - Peralta
3B - Cabrera
LF -  Dirks
CF - Jackson
RF - Hunter
DH - VMartinez

Bench - Pena, QBerry, Kobernus, Santiago

SP - Verlander, Fister, A. Sanchez, Scherzer, Porcello
Bullpen - Randon, Coke, Smyly, Dotel, Benoit, Al Al, Marte

( I expect that a trade/waiver claim may change the above.)

I seriously hope Ramon Santiago does not occupy a roster spot. He provides little to nothing for the Tigers. (no range, no arm, poor hitter from both sides....) Plus I really don't ever want to see him and Omar Infante in the same starting lineup. Got my fill of that(and then some) back in '03. Much rather see Danny Worth have a solid/decent/not awful spring so RS can be released. No opinion what so ever on that Rule 5 guy who's name I can neither pronounce, nor spell.

Iffy,
Were's Rabums? Who gave him a contract?  And is anyone going to give Valverde a shot?

I see in the news today that JV has decided not to pitch in the WBC. That's good news for the Tigers as they will need him to be as strong as possible through the season and into the playoffs next year. He would definately be hurrying himself into shape which could promote injuries that could cost the Tigers big time in their goal to win it all this year.

I too would like to see someone other than Santiago on the 25 man roster.
 

C- Avila
1B - Fielder
2B - Infante
SS - Peralta
3B - Cabrera
LF -  Dirks
CF - Jackson
RF - Hunter
DH - VMartinez


Bench - Pena, QBerry, Kobernus, Worth

SP - Verlander, Fister, A. Sanchez, Scherzer, Smyly

Bullpen - Coke, Dotel, Benoit, Al Al, Marte, Below

I am expecting the Tigers to get a closer at some point either by trade, for Porcello or Boesch, and Marte or Al New Mexico is on the bubble.

Worth all day over Santiago, and since Leyland wants speed Berry gets the nod over Boesch and Kelly.

The Tigers may keep Boesch on the roster in April due to the need for fewer pitchers but he will become expendable at some point. 

If Worth has a better spring than Santiago, I'd have no problem having him take the utility infielders job.

Tigers need a right handed batter who can play some outfield. I wonder if they give either Worth or Kobernus some time in the outfield this spring. Hopefully A. Garcia takes this spot sometime in the summer.

As for Boesch, unless he sets the place on fire in Florida, I see no spot for him. Too bad Kelly can't switch hit - he'd make a good 4th man off the bench. (I still see BB starting in RF for the Astros)

It's really unfortunate that DD couldn't add a top tier middle infielder, or even a middle tier one. (Theyre both middle tier guys, another one is what I should have said.) Omar Infante would be a great utility guy. (he should be a utility guy). Not a bad 2nd baseman, shortstop or third baseman, (when not judged or looked upon as a starter) and he's done a decent job during his now long career when asked to man an outfield spot. He'll do the job for the Tigers as a starter.(especially when compared to the garbage that's been out there since Polly left for the Phillies) But I'd view the team in a much better light if he were the #1 reserve instead. Don Kelly being a switch hitter would just be unfair, it'd ruin the competitive balance of the American League and quite possibly that of baseball in general. (He seems like the sort of player that probably did give it a shot at some point. He does everything else. It must not have worked well. Maybe he's severely right-eye dominant, idk)

It's really unfortunate that DD couldn't add a top tier middle infielder, 

I think the problem is not eneough top tier quality guys around! Or even second tier guys which I think both Peralta and Infante are.

When I looked around for trading partners for Porcello, with a focus on SS I really could not find one that a trade would work for both teams. Sterling Castro is a really good bet but the cost would be huge and I am not sure the Cubbies would want to give him up, same goes for Elvis Andrus in Texas.

I did like the idea of a trade with the D Backs for a quality SS prospect as that is probably the best chance the Tigers have to get a quality SS right now. I still would not rule that out as they have alot of good young arms but not alot of proven arms.

I just can't see Detroit breaking camp with both Porcello and Smyly. The Tigers would pretty much have to send Smyly down to get innings and keep his stamina as a starter. They have Below and with fewer games to start the season innings could be very limited. 

I just can't see Detroit breaking camp with both Porcello and Smyly.

I agree. Especially in April when there are a lot of off days and weather postponements. I really think Porcello would be better off elsewhere. It does a ground-ball pitcher no good to play in a park with a huge outfield and four pylons in the infield.

An internal answer for a right handed bat off the bench? The Tigers signed Kevin Russo to a minor league contract (with ST invite) over the winter. He has major league experience (Yankees) at 3B, 2B, and in the outfield. Not suggesting that he could be the next Raburn () but he could fill the role of utility man if he shows anything this spring.


As for Porcello.....unless some team over pays for him, I'd have no trouble keeping him at #5 and using Smyly out of the pen. It would be great to land a good prospect (SS) for him.....but maybe waiting until June/July might increase his worth and protect the little depth the team has in starting pitchers.

Inge signed a minor league deal with the Pirates. I have not heard if Raburn has landed with any team. Jose Valverde is still on the outside looking in as well.

Iffy

I heard Cleveland was interested in Raburn.  Jose, ooooooooooooooooo boooooooooooooooooooooy. No news is good news. 

I thought the injuns signed raturd 2 weeks ago...i dont think starling castro will be as hard to get as you think. Marmol, soriano, and castro seemed to get mentioned on a daily basis in the tribune regarding trade possibilities. The Cubs got SS Javier Baez waiting in the wings...castro will either be traded or have to change position.....i would of liked to seen the Tigers sign brett lillibridge. The cubs picked him up but he might be the odd man out of a roster spot i see....hes very versatile and plays great defense all over.

C- Avila
1B - Fielder
2B - Infante
SS - Peralta
3B - Cabrera
LF -  Dirks
CF - Jackson
RF - Hunter
DH - VMartinez


Bench - Pena, QBerry, Kobernus, Santiago

SP - Verlander, Fister, A. Sanchez, Scherzer, Porcello
Bullpen - Coke, Dotel, Benoit, Al Al, Villareal, Smyly, Rondon



I really believe that unless Worth overwhelms Santiago in Florida, Santiago will win the reserve IF job.  BUT, with a short leash.  If he's struggling after two months, he is gone and Worth comes up.  I really don't see either Rule 5 here past May, but I could see them going north with one of them (highly unlikely they head north with both of them).

I wish they would trade Porcello.  Gut feeling is they won't before Opening Day.  Not sure which way they go with 5th SP.  Smyly is both the better SP and the better RP.  Despite the fact that it leaves us without a lefty in the rotation, I can see Smyly starting in the pen to give us a 2nd lefty RP.  I know Below is an option for a 2nd lefty RP, but I don't see all three of Porcello, Smyly, and Below on the roster given the options. 

We REALLY need to find a RH hitter to bring off the bench that can actually hit a little bit.  But I don't think it is in anyone's best interest to keep either Garcia or Castellanos and then let them ride the bench more often than not.  We are all better off if those two are playing every day for the Mud Hens.  Sure would like to find what Jeff Baker was supposed to be when we picked him up last year.

I'd really like to see closer by committee to start, leaning toward Al Al as main guy.  I think he has earned the opprtunity.  I believe Rondon, who has never pitched in bigs and has had some control problems in minors, should start primarily as a set up guy to get his feet wet.  But, we all know that skip likes to throw guys right into the fire, so I can see him starting with Rondon as closer on Opening Day.  

I really believe that unless Worth overwhelms Santiago in Florida, Santiago will win the reserve IF job.  BUT, with a short leash.  If he's struggling after two months, he is gone and Worth comes up.

Ramon is in the second year of a 2-year deal, making over $1 million, so he probably stays if Worth still has options.  I agree, though...short leash.

Thinking the Tigers may go with 11 pitchers and add another outfielder... probably the right-handed hitting Garcia with Berry eeking out Boesch for the LH hitting backup job.

   

Tigers "could" go with 4 starters for the first 3 weeks of April. Not saying they should or will...just could. Probably send Smyly to AAA and put Porcello in the pen until around the 18th of April.

Tigers beat Atlanta 2-1 in Florida. Porcello looked good.

I didn't think Berry would get a legit nod, but he seems top fit the part.. Hopefully Leyland utilizes him properly.. 

todays game is on mlb network on delay at midnight. first chance to see the regular OF along with Rondon. i believe jack morris is now part of the Blue jay broacast team which will be calling the game. being the lakeland home opener the predicted opening day lineup will be starting for the Tigers.