Without any news happening, and without me having the time to do any analysis I decided to explore the question, “So if the Tigers do sign Magglio Ordonez, which current Tiger gets left out?”
In his column on Sunday Lynn Henning indicated that the Tigers would most likely release Bobby Higginson. I’ll have to admit that it was my first inclination as well. However, I’ve reconsidered.
I don’t really see an advantage to dumping Higginson from the Tigers standpoint. I know they’ll need to free up a spot on the 40 man roster if Ordonez comes. If it were up to me, the person that will prove the least valuable to the Tigers this season is Fernando Vina. I know once the season started they could move Vina to the 60 day DL, but he’s not going to play this season. I’m sure there is hope that he’ll officially retire, but let him go and just eat the $3 million. It will be substantially cheaper than the $8.2 million they’d still owe Higginson.
Now releasing Vina doesn’t really free up a congested outfield. For better or worse, Alex Sanchez will be the centerfielder (barring a tremendous spring by Curtis Granderson). I think everyone agrees that Craig Monroe needs to get regular at-bats and play all 3 outfield positions (I know, he really is a corner outfielder but he can fill in at center). Marcus Thames is a cheap insurance policy. So it comes down to Higginson or Rondell White.
Higginson is by far the better defender. Last year UZR had him rated among the top 3 rightfielders. In the event that Ordonez knee isn’t up to a full season in right field (especially considering he’ll be next to Sanchez) Higginson’s defense would be nice to have around. On the other hand, White is relegated to playing left field.
Last year White had 11 Win Shares to Higginson’s 13, and it wasn’t a one season fluke. Over the last 3 years Higginson has 34 Win Shares and White has 32. Really, they are pretty comparable players. Higginson’s power is gone but he still posted a .353 OPB last year.
There is one other factor to consider. If Higginson were gone, the Tigers only left handed hitting outfielder would be Alex Sanchez. Given Trammell’s penchant for platooning and playing matchups I’d be surprised if they went into the season without that option. With the exchange of Inge for Munson at third base, that would just be an additional lefty option not available.
I’m not advocating releasing White, especially since he may have some trade value. I actually really like White and he sounds like a good clubhouse guy. I also understand the animosity towards Higginson. His offensive production hasn’t been in sync with his contract, and not with a starting corner outfielder. However, given that the contract isn’t going anywhere that issue needs to be set aside. Higginson brings a little more to the table than White.
Other Stuff:
-Happy 4th birthday to my son Billy!
-Miscellaneous stat from the Bill James Handbook: Bobby Higginson took 62.5% of the pitches he saw last year. That’s 3rd highest in the AL. I’m not saying this means anything, just that it borders on interesting.
I think letting go of Higgy would be a bad move as well. I truly think he still has some value, and has some gas left in the tank. If we could deal Rondell White, I say we move Higgy over to left and start him at least through the All Star break to see what he can give us.
I’d even go so far as hitting him leadoff. He’s got one of the better eyes on the team.
I’ve always been a Higgy mark. So I’m a little biased.
I agree it would be a bad move. When he’s in the field, he’s the best defense out there they have. Sure, he can’t hit anymore (or so it seems) and his attitude needs an adjustment, but when you have a guy rounding third, who would you rather have the ball in their hand? Higginson, White, or Monroe?
Release Vina outright. Even in his probable reserve/emergency backup role, the Tigers would be better off using an infielder from Toledo in a pinch.
Higginson has more value than Vina, plain and simple, and I advocate a strong hitting bench as opposed to insuring you have backups at every position on the diamond. Thats why you have Brandon Inge.
I have soured on him in recent years
Sorry – meant to delete that last line – I have soured on Higginson, but that is irrelevant.
Ever since Higginson showed up at that U of M house party all old and creepy-like I’ve been much warier of him 🙂 I have this sneaking feeling that his offense is going to start curling off this year, but I’d rather have him in the field than Vina, so eh.
Higgy is well past his prime, and he’s a terd at the plate. He swings at the first pitch far too often, and in the clutch, he’s invisible. He is getting a boatload of money, so the Tigers should keep him around, even if it is for spot starts, and late inning defense. The best scenario for us is for Maggs to sign, Monroe to mature into the solid player he can and should be, and Sanchez to be more patient in his lead-off role and learn how to utilize his speed, by being a better (smarter) base runner. White and Thames can both be used for depth, or even trade-bait. Higgy gets a spot on the pine, and Vina should be cut loose.