Brandon Inge continues to struggle throwing out base runners. The Tigers catcher has thrown out only 13.9 percent (5-of-36) of runners attempting to steal on the year. That mark would rank second lowest of all AL catchers if Inge had enough attempts to qualify.
The Seattle Times: Sports: Ernie Harwell’s last stand: Goodbye to a lullaby
Another nice farewell article about Ernie.
Arms crop up in farm report
John Lowe looks at how Nate Cornejo, Andy Van Hekken, Agustin Marquetti, and Franklyn German have been performing.
One prospect that has gone largely unnoticed this season is Tigers outfielder Cody Ross. He’s batting .289 with 16 home runs, 58 RBIs, 15 steals and an .893 OPS (on-base plus slugging) in the Eastern League. He should get some attention from a team in search of offensive production.
Tigers legend Al Kaline led a public plea Monday by Hall of Famers for baseball to avoid another labor shutdown.
Munson improves, but path to Tigers blocked
Munson was named International League Player of the Week. Also, Erik Sabel was sent to Toledo to make room for Chris Truby who returned from the DL yesterday.
July 28, 2002 – Transaction Analysis
The more baffling question is what they’re going to get from the Reds beyond David Espinosa. Espinosa has been an ugly blend of interesting and appalling in the California League. He’s patient, about his only worthwhile offensive trait in a league that favors hitters. He doesn’t have much power, but at 20, he’s young. He doesn’t hit for average, but he’s young. He gets caught stealing a lot, but he’s young. He commits an error every third night or so, which makes him remarkably similar to another shortstop-turned-second baseman-turned–well, who knows?–Hiram Bocachica. Hopefully, the Tigers will get value in the other two players in the deal, because otherwise they have a 40-man roster slot invested in somebody who may not be ready for Double-A next year. Espinosa’s development is a long-term commitment, to say the least, and if the Tigers have one thing in spades, it’s time.
Tigers Notebook
Lynn Henning looks at the Tigers logjam at first base, and introduces us to centerfielder of the future Nook Logan.
Alou: Tigers’ rebuilding plan will be successful
“I have hope because I like the approach to the project and the intensity of that approach.”
Rumor Mill: The July 31 deadline approaches – CBS SportsLine
… the Free Press earlier reported the Marlins had scouted Tigers lefty Mark Redman. Marlins righty Brad Penny, whom GM Dave Dombrowski obtained while he was in Florida, could be the pitcher the Tigers target in any deal with the Marlins
The St. Louis Cardinals, still in search of another bat for the pennant race, are showing some interest in trading for Bobby Higginson. The Cardinals would only take Higginson if the Tigers assume a large part of his contract, but it’s possible that the Tigers would do that.
I don’t see this happenning. The Cardinals have no farm system, and Higgy-despite his salary-does have some value.
Tigers trade AAA Tim Farmer and PTBNL to Dogers for Hiram Bocachica
Bocachica has some tools, including power and speed, but never has hit consistently or become a polished defender. He hit .215-4-9 in 65 big league at-bats in 2002, and has career totals of .231-6-18 in 132 games and 208 at-bats in the majors.