Tigers' Roster Moves (5/22/10) E-mail
Written by Matt Wallace   
Saturday, 22 May 2010 13:31

The Tigers have made enough to moves lately to warrant an update, especially since some of them would be considered pretty important. Since we last did a transaction post, if we go chronologically the first move was Clete Thomas being moved to the disabled list on Monday. He still hasn’t been able to shake his knee problem and went to Colorado to have an MRI. When I think of how quickly Clete has become something of an afterthought with all the Tigers’ new young outfielders, I can’t help but wonder if this could be a pivotal year for him. Not all pivotal years are good, either. Let’s hope his struggles at the plate so far this season can be addressed by taking care of his knee.

In Toledo on Wednesday, Ryan Strieby was activated from the disabled list. He still hasn’t played, but I wouldn’t breathe too big a sigh of relief if he’s raking when he first returns. I don’t know the history of wrist injuries too well, but this one seems to get re-aggravated over time. It’s seems to be at this point that Strieby’s only going to be in the clear when he stays healthy for a continued stretch. Now that he’s back from the disabled list, though, I’d expect him to enter the DH/LF/1B mix. I added first base because of a transaction I’ll discuss below. The same day Strieby was activated, Phil Dumatrait caught a plane to the Far East to play ball out there. I guess that’s a pretty thorough way to handle a glut of starters.

On Friday, the roster moves were limited to Lakeland. Josh Workman and Bryan Pounds were both placed on the disabled list - a specific injury wasn’t mentioned for either. Workman had been used as the team’s second option in left field and was hitting just .156/.296/.156 in a part time role. Bryan Pounds is the team’s starting third baseman and was hitting pretty well (.287/.355/.346) even if power was lacking.

Taking their spots on the roster are Francisco Martinez and Jimmy Gulliver. Martinez is one of the Tigers’ only third base prospects and would need to have matured quite a bit from last year to not be overwhelmed at this level. I say that because he’s still just 19 and last year in the GCL, he hit .222/.256/.320 with 5 walks and 38 strikeouts in 168 plate appearances. We’ll have to see what the plans are for Gulliver, who seemed a bit overmatched in Oneonta last year. He was a shortstop with that club, but the team already has Gustavo Nunez. Is he being transitioned to the outfield or  is he just a better utility infield option than Carmelo Jaime?

We save the moves Tiger fans care about most for last. After last night’s game, Ryan Raburn was recalled from Toledo and Casper Wells was sent back down. This should come as a surprise to nobody as the Tigers were on record as saying Raburn’s stint in Toledo would be as short as possible. He may not be the outfielder Wells is, but he’s a better hitter and can cover at second and third base from time to time.

In addition to that move, we have Jeff Larish going to the disabled list with what’s listed as a left groin injury. I don’t know if this was a lingering injury that wasn’t going away and needed to be addressed. I do know Larish was hitting just .236/.349/.409 and can’t really afford to lose a season to a mix of underperformance and nagging pains.

The final roster move is Carlos Guillen being assigned to Toledo for his rehab work. I assume they’re going to get him as much time at second base as they can, with him maybe spending a game as the designated hitter if his body or the schedule dictate it. That poses a small lineup issue since Sizemore is also in Toledo, but I’d imagine Sizemore could serve as the designated hitter for the week or so that Guillen will be with the team.



Digg! Reddit! Facebook! Technorati! StumbleUpon! BallHype: hype it up!
Comments (5)Add Comment
...
written by stephen grosberg, May 22, 2010
Welcome back Ryan Strieby. Get to know Kevin Rand if you can. Keep squeezing that ball I gave you. If you lose it I'll send you another. Matt and Nick Underhill know how to reach me. If you're healthy, the Tigers are ready for a run, especially if they play Worth vs. LHP, cut Everett when Guillen comes back, use Eddie Bonine instead of Willis, and use Weinhardt/Sborz/Schlereth/Shawler vs. Brad Thomas. If a 40 Man isn't ready to make it, put someone there who can or put him on a long term DL. By the way, congrats to the Tigers for making some great moves. Who goes when Scherzer comes back? I don't mind the extra time for a decision.
...
written by Ben B., May 22, 2010
Willis might go when Scherzer comes back. On the night Willis started(and struggled) Rod Allan said that he had heard that if Willis struggled that they might skip his spot in the rotation with all of the off days comming up. I would take that as a sign that they think he is the weakest starter. On the other hand Galaraga hasn't been great either, and has options. Glad Strieby is back and he hit a two run shot as well. Also glad that Bishop played third today. Hope they try that a little more with Pounds out.
...
written by stephen grosberg, May 23, 2010
The move for the Tigers is to move Eddie Bonine into # 5 and promote Weinhardt/Sborz/Schlereth/Shawler, with Weinhardt based on how he's lowered his ERA by being the most consistent pitcher they have. If they don't believe Anthony Shawler, promote him to Toledo and see. If the Tigers want to wait till the draft, it's their choice, but asw far as I'm concernrd, the following spaces are available: Max Leon, Brooks Brown, Chris White, Justin Henry, and Ramon Garcia. The following should be promoted: Brent Wyatt, Rawley Bishop, and Alden Carrithers. You can have the choice of "mixing and matching" any way you want, but the goal is Tigers in Sep. or at least Toledo. Anthony Shawler is possible from Erie, but Robbie Weinhardt comes first. Follow the stats and you'll see why I had him in 2008. This is a breakout year for Brent Wyatt, who was always versatile(move over Don Kelly.) They just have to give them chances sooner. If you follow Bishop and Wyatt, daily. as I do, you will see that, while the stats that people look at namely BA/OBP/SLUG are excellent, they don't show clutch hits in close games. Start following them and you'll see what I mean. Also look at Wyatt's BB vs. K. Carrithers vs. Justin Henry is obvious. I notice a number of players get bum raps without deserving it like Weinhardt, Carrithers, Wyatt, and Bonine. I've been guilty with Fu-Te Ni, but only because I wanted Weinhardt up. Bonine vs. Willis is no contest. The question, that no one seems to answer, is how well Wyatt can field the IF. Obviously, I'd rather have Worth for now, but I'm looking for options like Dlugach too. Worth can hit LHP, but struggles against RHP. One of the most important questions is whether Ryan Strieby can strengthen his wrist to play regularly? He's a good enough hitter to skip batting practice if that will do it. Look what Boesch did yesterday, when Cabrera failed in the clutch. I can dream about Sep.
...
written by Ben B., May 24, 2010
First off Stephen I really like Shawler as well(love a guy who gets grounders and can still strike you out), but there is NO way he is going to be in Detroit this year. It isn't even a guaranty he will get to Toledo. He has only been at Erie for less that a month, the Tigers don't move people that fast. As for Bonine in the rotation, I think he would do a better job than Willis. I don't believe they will make that move though as the bullpen has been insanely awesome and they probably won't want to mess with it. I understand that you want to move up guys and don't blame you, but they won't till they have something to fill in the wholes left by the guys they move up. It is probably best for Bishop if he moves up, but if you take him out of Lakeland's line up before you have someone to help replace him then it will hurt all of the pitchers development. It hurts most young pitchers confidence if they have to be perfect every time out to win. Now the only reason he might move up, while Carrathers and Wyatt stay put is that if he can play third he fills a position of need. He has played third the last two games, I don't know what his range is like but if he can play third then he will be on the fast track(lets all hope). As for the other two they defiantly deserve to move up, but sadly no one at West MI can replace them at Lakeland at this time.
...
written by stephen grosberg, May 24, 2010
Thanks Ben B. I'm trying to establish what the Tigers SHOULD do, not what they will do. I'm impressed that Wade Gaynor is STARTING to hit. I understand from my source at Oneonta last year that he was having trouble adjusting to the wooden bat. That seems to be changing. Maybe he can play first too so that Bishop can move to Erie. Is Strieby strengthening his wrist? Don't forget that if Bishop hits at Erie, he's in the mix. The same is true for Brent Wyatt. When the draft comes, maybe Jamie Johnson can go to Lakeland. I'm now looking for versatility in order to avoid the Don Kelly type for a better hitter, who is almost as good a fielder.

Write comment

busy
Last Updated on Saturday, 22 May 2010 15:51
 

About Bloguin

Bloguin is the revolutionary blog network specifically focused on helping bloggers get the most out of their websites. We're currently working on building a large network of online communities and hope to expand our blogging coverage to include a wide range of topics.

Advertisers

The Bloguin Network allows advertisers to promote their products and services to our ever-growing number of visitors. We offer both site-specific ad placements as well as the ability to run a network-wide campaign. If you're interested in working with Bloguin to meet your advertising needs, please contact us.

Bloggers Wanted

The Bloguin Network is always looking to expand. We're specifically looking for blogs in the sports, entertainment, and video games field, but are open to adding any type of quality site. If you're a blogger and interested in joining our network, please fill out our application form.

The Bloguin Login

The Bloguin Login gives you full access to everything our network has to offer. Your name and password will work for each and every one of our sites. Signing up is simple, and will allow you to post in all our forums, create member blogs, and access other cool features! What are you waiting for? Create an Account!