Cabrera moving to...???

[mikem2780]

From the four letter sports network's Insider rumors page...


Baseball etiquette prevents managers from talking about postseason series down the road when an earlier round hasn't been secured. That would explain why Tigers manager Jim Leyland was tight-lipped about why Miguel Cabrera, normally the first baseman, was taking ground balls Wednesday.

"We feel we have to prepare for every possibility. That's all I'm saying," Leyland tells John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press.

As Lowe points out, the only reason Cabrera would be taking grounders would be to see if he could play third base in the National League park in the World Series, when the designated hitter isn't in use. Cabrera could be moved to third with DH Victor Martinez taking over at first base.

Cabrera has started 383 big-league games at third base, but none since 2008.

 

[mikem2780]

If this were to happen, and it were to happen against a lefty, imagine this infield... Cabby at 3rd, Peralta at SS, Raburn at 2B, Martinez at 1B. That would be the worst defensive infield ever put on a diamond I think. On the same token, it may be the best offensive IF, or at the very least a quite formidable one.

 

[mikem2780]

Another option would be to have Avila take fly balls in RF. I think he was a college OF. Have Avila play RF, Martinez C, and leave Cabby alone. That all depends on whether Victor's knees can handle catching though.

 

[cmlfactor]

I'm not sure trading defense just to get Victor in at first is a great idea. Just ask the '06 team what bad defense can do in a World Series...

 

[mikem2780]

Ugh, I still have nightmares of Curtis falling in the OF and pitchers throwing the ball all over the place

 

[bavarianinnman]

Or maybe their thinking about the offseason, and next year. Moving Cabby to third and trying to pick up Prince or Pujols to play first? Ya i know only a dream

 

[justinrose74]

Avila played 3rd in college before Catcher and played some this year against Colorado. Hopefully VMart could catch if/when we make the WS.

 

[tycobb420]

It might be better to let Inge go 0-for-5 with 4 strikeouts than putting Cabrera at 3b.

 

[doinwork83]

yes, but putting Inge at 3rd takes either V-mart or Avila out of the lineup...

 

[biggunsbob]

I don't think Raburn will see the field even verses LHP.. It would be a mistake if he played anywhere and should be used only as a late inning pinch hitter in my opinion..

 

[hellifino]

why not give it a try in a few games, what do we have to lose, since we already won the division, and how many balls are actually hit to 3rd during a game. it's not like he never played it before.

 

[mjsb2]

biggunsbob[/color]]I don't think Raburn will see the field even verses LHP.. It would be a mistake if he played anywhere and should be used only as a late inning pinch hitter in my opinion..

He should play LF.

 

[kalinecountry]

This looks like a bit of over-analyzing.
Cabrera was taking ground balls at third, "just in case" they make it to the world series to be ready for the NL park with no DH.
Keeps Martinez's bat in the lineup at 1B.

Now if all that happens, then sure, we will wonder about the infield defense even more.
I can just see Cabrera charging for and fielding a bunt barehanded and throwing to 1b while in the air horizontal,lol.

 

[batcave76]

KalineCountry[/color]]This looks like a bit of over-analyzing.
Cabrera was taking ground balls at third, "just in case" they make it to the world series to be ready for the NL park with no DH.
Keeps Martinez's bat in the lineup at 1B.

Now if all that happens, then sure, we will wonder about the infield defense even more.
I can just see Cabrera charging for and fielding a bunt barehanded and throwing to 1b while in the air horizontal,lol.

IDK. He prob surprised alot of us w/the way he's improved at 1st. It would be interesting to see at least a cameo of him at 3rd.

 

[newton83]

KalineCountry[/color]]I can just see Cabrera charging for and fielding a bunt barehanded and throwing to 1b while in the air horizontal,lol.

Can you imagine the sight of that? He actually might move as well as glass-knees Cringe these days anyhow...

 

[hellifino]

what it boils down to is, is it worth to have an extra bat in the lineup (either Martinez or Avilla) to have a little less as far as fielding. might be better thou when Verlander pitches, they can't get around on the heat so much.

 

[randyf10]

I don't think there is anyway Jim will not play Raburn against all LHP in the playoffs, the way he is hitting they should think about playing him in RF against RHP too, Mags is hitting good too right now but not with the power of Raburn.

 

[doinwork83]

what it boils down to is, is it worth to have an extra bat in the lineup (either Martinez or Avilla) to have a little less as far as fielding. might be better thou when Verlander pitches, they can't get around on the heat so much.

and therein lies Old Smokeys risk assesment decision. and I think he sides with having his big bats in the lineup over better defense in the field. Im really hoping however, this speculation becomes reality

 

[hellifino]

what it boils down to is, is it worth to have an extra bat in the lineup (either Martinez or Avilla) to have a little less as far as fielding. might be better thou when Verlander pitches, they can't get around on the heat so much.

and therein lies Old Smokeys risk assesment decision. and I think he sides with having his big bats in the lineup over better defense in the field. Im really hoping however, this speculation becomes reality

I'd love to be a fly on the wall, when Leyland sits down with DD and discusses who makes the playoff roster and what to do about the non DH in the WS.

 

[uofmpoweri]

I think that it is a great move. Avila at third was a disaster, so that plan should be out. Cabrera to third has been my dream for years. Maybe we can be ingeless once and for all.

If Cabrera at third keeps inge on the bench during the World Series then Cabrera at third it is. It is not like Inge is gold glove caliber over there, no matter how many times Rod Allen says that he is.