by Holly Horning Just when we think these roster battles are settling down with only 2 weeks left until Opening Day, the Tigers are tweaking things again. Partially due to key players being on the …
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DEEPER DISCUSSIONS.
Totally Tigers
Just when we think these roster battles are settling down with only 2 weeks left until Opening Day, the Tigers are tweaking things again.
Partially due to key players being on the IL with undetermined dates of return. Also due to the holes that still need filling and go unresolved due to a lack of depth.
Detroit has now moved to a policy that could aptly be described as “flexibility on steroids.”
Last year, a number of players were slotted into secondary defensive positions when needed. But now, A. J. Hinch has almost everyone getting into the act.
Maybe we’ll end up calling this “positional chaos.”
Kerry Carpenter is playing both LF and RF.
Justyn-Henry Malloy can now be seen at 1B and LF.
Andy Ibanez and Zach McKinstry are playing the infield and now the corner OF.
And Colt Keith had a reunion at 2B.
Riley Greene, the best LHH defensive player in MLB last year with a +14 DRS is at CF again.
Hinch has stated that it’s not about the roster – but in the end, it really is. He says he wants the team to be prepared for any situation during a game. He talked about moving players around depending upon which pitcher the opposing team brings in.
And now, they have Javier Baez playing 3B. He hasn’t played there in 5 years. He made an error there the other day.
Hinch painted a picture of Baez at 3B, Sweeney at SS and the entire infield moving their positions around.
I can’t help but think of the quote
“Jack of all trades, master of none.”
Is it really a good idea to take Riley Greene away from LF where he was the best in MLB and move him to CF where he is weaker defensively and also at risk for further injury to his legs?
On the other hand, this roster is very limited in many ways. Designated outfielders and when 1 (or 2 in this case) get injured, they don’t have an immediate heir.
The infield is also highly unstable. Other than Baez and Torres (who are both negative defenders), everyone else is new.
Like last year’s “pitching chaos”, is this new flexible+ positional plan an answer for finding solutions given a young, inexperienced roster and lack of depth?
Will the ability to be flexible on who plays where outweigh a focus on keeping players in their regular positions?
Which strategy is better?
Today’s blog addresses this question and allows readers to share their thoughts in more detail. And hopefully, to actively engage with others by responding to their posts and creating back-and-forth discussion threads. The more the merrier!
For this one blog only, you’ve got 6 sentences max to share your thoughts. Of course, you can also respond to other readers.
TT will supply the ammunition. One thought-provoking question. Several options provided.
One hard choice to be selected. One vote.
Ready?
Which positional strategy do you prefer for the Tigers to use?
1. For players to stay in their regular positions for the most part.
2. For players to move around positionally based upon opposing pitchers and strategy.
VOTE
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