Denny McClain: "Prince should bat third."

[cmlfactor]

http://proxy.espn.go.com/mlb/local/link?id=4432957

He brings up some good points...along with a few other things that I think a lot of us Tigers fans have been saying for a while.

 

[27tigers]

I disagre with him on Fielder. The 3-4 combo is not the problem, and I don;t think Fielder would become a .350 hitter. I think he would still hit right around .300. He has never hit .350 or anywhere close to it. The problem is who is hitting 5. The other probem is that both Cabrera and Fielder are slow and hit into a lot of double plays (as will the 5 hitter when one or the other is on first). But you live with that because they are both great hitters.

On Avila, the sample size is too small. He is nothign more than an average defender, but good enough, and if he hits in the .270 range he will be a top 10 offensive cathcer. Who do you want to trade him for? Also, Avila is one of the few tigers who can work a count.

 

[thehippo73]

I disagree with him as well. Other teams have pitched Cabrera differently. He is no where near the number of intentional walks as last year.

 

[hellifino]

I disagree with him as well. Beast is doing fine just where he is,and so is Fielder.if McClain wants to tear this lineup, have him start around the 6 hole on down.

 

[tomdalton22]

I disagre with him on Fielder. The 3-4 combo is not the problem, and I don;t think Fielder would become a .350 hitter. I think he would still hit right around .300. He has never hit .350 or anywhere close to it. The problem is who is hitting 5. The other probem is that both Cabrera and Fielder are slow and hit into a lot of double plays (as will the 5 hitter when one or the other is on first). But you live with that because they are both great hitters.

On Avila, the sample size is too small. He is nothign more than an average defender, but good enough, and if he hits in the .270 range he will be a top 10 offensive cathcer. Who do you want to trade him for? Also, Avila is one of the few tigers who can work a count.

The problem isn't only who is hitting 5....it's those hitting 2,6,7,8 & 9. All of them are below average offensive players and most of them are below average defensively. Even Miggy and Prince are below average defensively.

 

[27tigers]

The problem isn't only who is hitting 5....it's those hitting 2,6,7,8 & 9. All of them are below average offensive players and most of them are below average defensively. Even Miggy and Prince are below average defensively.

Infante doesn't bother me hitting ninth and he plays a pretty good 2b. And I still think Avila in the 8 spot will work in the long run. Not sure what to make of Dirks and the Young Boesch back to back bad at bats routine has got to go. Also, if Jhonny is going to hit .250 then we need someone who can flash the leather a little better.