-Don’t look now, but the Dodger have only scored 7 more runs than the Tigers heading into Monday night’s game (289 to 282, both in 86 games). Now an American League team threatening to move out of last in the Majors in runs scored shouldn’t be news. However, Tiger fans have to grab at whatever bright spots they can find, and not being last in something is a definite step up.
-Cody Ross got the call last week when Bobby Higginson went on the 15 day DL. Both moves are probably overdue. Ross reached base after getting plunked in the heiny (tailbone-that’s gotta hurt), and then needed a pinch runner.
-Tiger trade speculation is starting to swirl. Mike Maroth and Jamie Walker appear to be the most likely candidates to be on the move. Maroth looks to have the most value being a solid left handed starter. Add in the fact he’s 25 and is making $300k and it is possible the Tigers could get a decent hitting prospect. Then again, as Tim D has commented on, the Tigers could have had a proven decent hitting 2nd basemen for even less and they passed (Jimenez). In all fairness to Dave D, it’s possible he did make a play and the White Sox may have not wanted to trade him to a division foe (I don’t know this happened, just giving the benefit of the doubt).
-With 3 errors this weekend at third base, Eric Munson is strengthening the “move him to catcher” argument. Unless the Tigers could somehow trade with Cincinnati and get Brandon Larson (doubtful) then you might as well keep Munson at third. Offensively he did have 3 walks and a homer on Sunday.
-Shane Halter started 6 of the last 9 games. My only question is, “Why?” Unless he’s catching, he isn’t an offensive upgrade at any position over the other options. Even in platoon situations, Halter’s OPS is only .691 against lefties. Munson has a .693 OPS which is a wash, but Munson maybe part of the future for the Tigers, and Halter definitely isn’t. At first base Pena has struggled against lefties (.551 OPS). However, the Tigers aren’t looking for Pena to be a platoon option, and this year would be a nice chance for him to get used to seeing southpaws. Warren Morris has also struggled against lefties with a .551 OPS, but 17 AB isn’t a large enough sample. Against left handed pitching he does have a 70 point OPS advantage of Santiago at short. So I guess that you could make the argument that Shane should get starts against lefties and play second or short. Unfortunately during this last stretch, only one of his starts fits that criteria (started for Morris against Hendrickson). Most of the starts came at the expense of Munson, and most were against righties. I guess I’ll hold out hope they were “showcasing” him for a potential trade.
-Time to read some more of Moneyball and head to bed