Did the Tigers protect Don Kelly at the expense of Fien or was Kelly off the 40 man? If Don Kelly is still on the 40 man, they made a HUGE mistake. I like all the OF at Erie more than Kelly.

Aren't the guys you're calling the Erie OF Wells, Boesch and Scram? Wells and Boesch are already on the 40-man roster, so Kelly being on there (which he is) doesn't affect them. As for Scram, there's really no reason to add a player to the 40-man until either you have to or he makes the 25-man roster. Neither has been or should be the case for Scram.

I don't really see how this move relates to Kelly unless you're saying they should have let him go rather than Fien. Odds are pretty good they'll keep Fien and both he and Kelly are playing a role that is pretty easily replaceable. Kelly, however, holds value because he can play just about anywhere on the field and that skill could actually land him on the 25-man when spring breaks. I'm not saying it's likely (my official guess to open the spring is Dlugach), but it's a lot more likely than Fien making the bullpen would have been.

I guess I'm just prejudiced in favor of Fien vs Kelly vs. a showcase for Boesch, Dirks, Scram , and Casper Wells. An AB for Kelly is 1 less for the Erie guys and Brent Dlugach. Kelly had his big chance last year. Dlugach never got to bat in Sep. As you know I believe in promoting based on performance. If Ryan Strieby hits in Spring Training forget about other DHs. Casey Fien, on the other hand has shown some good signs, but as you know I'd take Robbie Weinhardt and Dan Schlereth first. If Inge is on the DL, Dlugach would be my first choice to see what he can do. After that it's Larish. I'd prefer Dlugach at 3B vs. Kelly. I'd rather see Bryan Pounds performing at Erie at 3b early as a potentil backup. It's like Casper Wells backing up or replacing Austin Jackson or Clete Thomas shortening his swing and being the CF. The Tigers have to experiment until someone wins or fails. I plead guilty to appearing to get off the subject, but one decision affects another. When you have filler at Toledo, it means a player at Erie might be unable to show what he can really do. Andy Dirks could be at Toledo instead of Kelly, if space was needed. Casper Wells could have been at Toledo instead of Kelly.If they had given Dlugach ABs in Sep. in blowouts, they'd know more now about his potential at no risk. Young players have to be tried in this manner.

I hope you're right about Brent Dlugach. Kelly relates to Fien because I'd rather have kept him than Kelly. In my opinion, playing Kelly is a step backwards by taking space from another developing player. As an example, if Sizemore and Dlugach were DL, I would rather take a chance on Brandon Douglas than Kelly. The first DH is Ryan Strieby, not Johnny Damon or a non 100% Carlos Guillen. I'd rather try Clete Thomas in CF rather than Kelly. As for Casey Fien, I'd pitch him every other day as a setup man or closer to see whether he can strand runners. Robbie Weinhardt and Dan Schlereth are my preferred RP by far. My favorite #4 starter is Phil Coke. In fact if the Tigers could trade for some value for Bondermen, Robertson, Willis, Fu-Te Ni, abd Fien, I'd make Alfredo Figaro my #5 with Eddy Bonine waiting in the wings. I know you'll accuse me of getting off the subject, but everything is related. One move opens up another and so on. Available space means a potential promotion.