I think we’re far enough into spring training to start talking about some of the roster decisions that still need to be made. I think it’s still too early on the pitchers, since the starters are only up to about four innings and the relievers’ samples are just too small. The position players, however, are starting to accumulate some at bats and get in some innings out on the field.

Let’s look at the position players who are believed to be locks for the roster:

C Gerald Laird
1b Miguel Cabrera
2b Scott Sizemore
3b Brandon Inge
SS Adam Everett
LF Johnny Damon
CF Austin Jackson
RF Magglio Ordonez
DH Carlos Guillen 
UT Ryan Raburn
UT Ramon Santiago

I have little doubt any of these players will be going to Detroit as long as they stay healthy. If that assumption is correct, we’re left with just two spots. One spot is for the backup catcher and the other is for the final spot on the bench.

Let’s start with the backup catcher. This is an interesting situation. Gerald Laird and Alex Avila both have 21 at bats at this point in the spring. It seems like the Tigers might be giving Avila every chance to show he is ready for the big league job. I’m convinced that if that happens, his split with Laird will be something closer to 60/40, rather than the 75/25 it would probably be with Diaz.

My other belief in this matter is Laird’s production at the plate could be almost as big a factor in Avila making the team as what Avila does. If Laird hits like he’s taking a limp noodle up to the plate with him, the Tigers may be more pressed to bring Avila’s offensive production into the picture. If Laird looks like his adjustments at the plate will bring him up to numbers the Tigers can live with three games out of four, it’ll be easier to let Avila develop his defensive skills in Toledo for a while.

To this point, the latter situation could be shaping up. Laird is hitting .286/.348/.667. Of course, he’s had half the balls in play fall in for hits and has struck out in a third of his at bats. Those are likely rates that won’t keep up, but it would take a whole lot of bad luck to turn those numbers into something like what he hit last year.

If you’re wondering about the other catchers in the picture, Robinzon Diaz has batted just 13 times and I think is probably the only other option. Mike Rabelo has only had six at bats in five games, less than Max St. Pierre. Should we read anything into Avila getting more at bats than Diaz as far as who will get the job? I don’t think so. I think the biggest factor in who gets the second catching job is going to be Avila’s defense behind the plate, so they're giving him innings to see it.

The other spot is the last bench player. When Raburn was said to be exclusively an outfielder this year, I suspected the Tigers would need somebody else who could play the infield and figured the spot was likely between Brent Dlugach and Don Kelly. Now that they’re working him back in at second and third, they have some more depth in the infield and could more easily go with another outfielder.

Looking at their current outfielders, that seems even more likely. In Jackson, Damon, Ordonez, Guillen and Raburn they really only have one legitimate center fielder. They could shore up some depth at that spot and get another left-handed bat with either Don Kelly or Clete Thomas. Thomas is the better outfielder, but Kelly has more versatility in that he can also play anywhere in the infield.

Which of these two they choose likely comes down to the role they’re looking to fill. Thomas should be viewed as the better hitter and fielder in the outfield. If the Tigers aren’t worried about infield depth, I think he’s a pretty easy choice (unless they are really impressed with Casper Wells). If they figure Raburn is going to cover most of their left over outfield innings and just want some speedy legs and a versatile glove, Kelly could be their man. Of course, if they’re not concerned about having another outfielder, Brent Dlugach could enter the picture as well. He’s a better infielder than Kelly and has also handled the bat okay this spring (.429/.429/.810).

I think that touches on the three options for the Tigers. The first one is they believe they need somebody who can give them quality defense in the outfield. That could be either to keep Ordonez fresh in right or for late game defense and if that’s the role they’re looking for, Clete Thomas is their man. It’s only going to help him that he’s left-handed and could serve as a pinch runner, too. It also helps that he could be the best hitter of the bench players available.

The second option would be if the Tigers want a quality infielder for the days when Inge or Sizemore need a day off because their respective injuries are barking. Brent Dlugach could be that player. He’s shown a decent enough bat and could almost certainly slide out to the outfield if needed.

The final option, I think, is if they simply want versatility from this last spot. Don Kelly gives them a left-handed bat and can play anywhere on the field except catcher. I don’t think he’s a whiz at the plate, but he hit well in Toledo last year and is handling the bat pretty well this spring. If they’re just looking for speedy legs or a guy who can fill in just about anywhere, anytime, Kelly is probably their man.

I really think the job is going to come down to those three. Which of the three gets chosen will just depend on which need on the roster seems the most glaring by the end of the spring.

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