Results tagged ‘ Clete Thomas ’
I…Did…Not… See That Coming
Like everyone has said the Tigers released Gary Sheffield in a surprise move today. Yeah, he wasn’t playing well this spring. Yeah, he’s 40. Yeah. he was injured a lot. But still, you just didn’t expect it to happen. I mean, he had 499 career home runs! 24 players have ever hit 500 home runs. Do you know how many 500 home run hitters ever wore a Tigers uniform? One. Eddie Mathews. And he hit 9 home runs as a Tiger out of his 512.Gary Sheffield, whom I can confident will catch on with another team and hit at least one more shot, cranked 44 homers as a Tiger. One more jack as Tiger would have made him the first to do it in our uniform, Mathews was a member of the Astros between Tigers stints when he nabed number 500.
In moves that were more expected on my part, the team has now officially put Jeremy Bonderman on the DL . Clete Thomas, Will Rhymes, and Timo Perez were all sent down to either AAA Toledo or minor league camp. Rymes wasn’t going to play a role in the infield this year anyways. Thomas is still getting his arm right after surgery. Perez is getting the shaft again, but I knew this was going to happen after the acquisition of Josh Anderson (like I said yesturday). So now the team has 31 players in camp. 10 pitchers are on the 40 man roster, which means we’ll need two more before breaking camp. Luckily there are only 38 players on the 40 man roster right now. And, there are more than enogh arms in camp as non-roster invitees that have earned spots on the team if Jim Leyland wants them.
Before I forget, with Sheffield now gone, I must officially retract my statements from yesturday about Marcus Thames being done as a Tiger. In fact, Thames now has new life on this team. Thames will now resume the role of backup corner outfielder and also get a lot more at bats as the DH now. However, don’t think that he’ll only DH. We now have the ability to keep bats in the lineup without putting them into the field every day, such as Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Guillen, and Miguel Cabrera, as well as Thames. Again, I think that Jeff Larish will make the roster now, and I also think that there is now some wiggle room to not be hosed if the Carlos Guillen, left fielder, move doesn’t pan out.
It’s Nice to be Listened to
Today, the Tigers traded Rudy Darrow to the Atlanta Braves for Josh Anderson. Darrow was a pitcher in the organization that did not figure into the big league club’s plans any time soon. Anderson is an outfield, specifically center fielder. This means that he will be the backup center fielder that I have been calling for over the past few entries. This also means that Ryan Raburn, Timo Perez, and Brent Clevlen are screwed as far as this years team is concerned. Clete Thomas is also effected by this move, but his recovery from arm surgery last year meant he is still getting his arm strength up and wasn’t in the running for a backup outfield position.
This could possibly signal the end for Marcus Thames as well. It is no secret that he is often on the trade block each spring in hopes of finding a good pitcher. With Anderson in CF on Granderson’s off days, the Tigers now have a reason to not keep Raburn in the big leagues. Also, with no Raburn, the Tigers have their excuse to keep Jeff Larish, the lefty corner infielder/outfielder that they’ve wanted since winter ball. Larish being a lefty bat and can play corner outfield now eliminates both Thames and Raburn in one stroke. Also, both Clevlen and Perez are out of Minor League options, which means that they’d have to go through waviers to be sent down. Most people predict that some team will take a chance on Clevlen, and I’d say odds are in the Tigers’ favor in retaining Perez.
I’d definately say that it’s almost forgone that Thames is now done as a Tiger. I think the team is looking for a good reason to send Rick Porcello and Ryan Perry straight to the minors so that they can keep their conditioning going well, rather than being harmed by Jim Leyland protecting them against Major League hitters. What I’m getting at is that this probably will be the time that Thames gets traded for a pitcher. Granted, there are a variety of pitchers on the free agent market after being released from other team’s camps. However, there are reasons that they were released. An interesting thought I had the other day was that Mike Maroth was let go by the Blue Jays the day after he pitched against the Tigers. I know he hasn’t done well at all since being traded in mid 2007, but Maroth could be the short term stopper the Tigers need in the rotation until Jeremy Bonderman is ready to go. Once that happens, either waive Maroth, or send him to the minors to find himself again.
Let’s see if the baseball God’s listened to that one…
Yikes
So a lot has happened since my last post. Of today’s news alone, Joel Zumaya and Dontrelle Willis have been placed on the disabled list for the sake of getting themselves righted. I heard that Jeremy Bonderman might also end up on the DL to finish getting his arm strength up enough to be good to go.
There were a few more camp cuts. Kyle Bloom was given back to Pittsburgh. Freddy Dolsi, Casey Fien, and Fu-Te Ni were sent down shortly after my last post. Wilkin Ramirez, Don Kelly, Max St. Pierre, and Alexis Gomez have also been sent down. So, really out of who is left, you’re looking at the Tigers opening day roster.
However, that isn’t to say that there aren’t still further issues. Magglio Ordonez is having a terrible spring if you look at his Grapefruit League numbers. Matt Treanor, Gary Sheffield, Ryan Raburn, Marcus Thames, and Clete Thomas are all batting under .200 as well. I also heard today that Thames and Raburn were being shopped around to look for 1.) experienced arms and 2.) to make roster space.
If you look at the current 40-man roster, you have less than 12 pitchers to go north with. With those sent down and on the DL, and if Bonderman does indeed get put there too, you have 2 guys not yet on the 40-man who will pitch in April for the Tigers. My best hunches are Juan Rincon and Ryan Perry, although I see Perry being someone who will not stay on the roster as to get some more seasoning. Although, Eddie Bonine is still pitching very well, and Scott Williamson is still in camp too.
The team hasn’t yet figured out its outfield situation. Like I said before, there is no one really to play backup centerfield. By evidence of putting Raburn on the trading block, he might not be here much longer. Brent Clevlen is still in camp, and I didn’t hear of him being shopped around. Timo Perez is still in camp, so we can’t rule him out either.
And when I think of the roster breakdown, time may be running out for many people. 2 catchers, 4 starting infielders, 3 starting outfielders, a backup infielder, a backup outfielder, and a DH equals 12 position players. That leaves one spot left with many men trying to lock it up. Again, like I said before, this person will probably be the one they expect to play CF for the few time Curtis Granderson doesn’t start. However, the team would love a guy who could give real relief to the corner infield spots. I’m not too sure if Ramon Santiago is supposed to backup 2B, SS, and 3B or not. And I wonder if Jim Leyland is thinking of using Carlos Guillen or Marcus Thames as the backup at 1B. All told, I think somone who has been with the club for a little while now will be shipped out, and someone who can be either a super sub or a definate backup and never starter is making the team. This is the first time in all my job hunting I didn’t want to be one of the Tigers staff who has to make these decisions (but I’d still love the opportunty, if any employer is reading this).
During The Game
I am absolutely thrilled to be watching Tigers baseball this evening. I
thought it would be a nice idea to write down my thoughts on the game
against the Braves as they happen.
Great job by Brandon Inge to hit the homer to leadoff the game.
I was very pleased with Jeremy Bonderman’s outting. No runs against.
Dontrelle
Willis needs to throw strikes. I’d gripe a little less if his strikes
were getting smacked over the field. The walk he gave up scored, and I
had a feeling about it when I saw it.
After listening to the
interview with Jim Leyland, I realized something. Jeff Larish has the
inside track on the left handed bat off the bench. However, he can’t
play center field. So if Larish makes the team, I promise that Inge
will be the backup center fielder for that one day out of nine when
Granderson sits against lefties. So, Ryan Raburn, Timo Perez, and Brent
Clevlen have a positional advantage being able to play center. More
than likely, the Tigers would take a bench player who can play center
field. So, Jeff Larish, you will have to hit .400 for the rest of the
spring to force the team to find a backup CF on this roster.
Thank
you Dontrelle for drawing a walk. You redeemed yourself a little.
But….. I also agree with the analysts on ESPN, Dontrelle will either
get released or sent to the minors. He is not making this team with his
ERA and Rick Porcello’s spring.
I also remember now that Clete
Thomas will not be on the Tigers roster any time soon. He is still
recovering from elbow surgery that cut short last season. He has yet to
take the field defensively as he rehabs his arm and gets back into
throwing shape.
Good outing from Juan Rincon. He is getting it done. I’d take him on the team.
I’m
not disappointed that the Tiger’s lost tonight. Good things were done
on offense and defense. Subtract Dontrelle’s not so good outing, and it
becomes a Tigers shutout win.
Time For Calling Out
Thank goodness the Tigers were able to beat the Yankees today. I was starting to get worried. As it is, I’m a little past due on serving notice to some players who need a kick in the pants.
Matt Treanor, I know you’re still recovering from offseason surgery, but when you get back, we need a .200 or better out of you.
Clete Thomas, there is talk of you being one of the players coming north after spring training. Not with a .143 average you won’t.
Ryan Raburn, you have played in the most games this spring. You are being given every chance to make this team. Your .148 average is not going to cut it. Jeff Larish is being billed as a guy who can do almost everything you can, and right now he is doing it better.
Gary Sheffield, thank you for finding your stroke today. Your average jumped by .069 points. Your only job in baseball is to hit the ball. Keep your average on the rise.
Adam Everett, could you hit closer to .250 please? I mean, Brandon Inge is batting .300.
Placido Polanco, .208…. what’s going on?
Marcus Thames, sorry you’re hurt. Good job doing it while trying to make a play. Your .222 average brings up horrible memories of Rob Deer.
Brandon Inge and Ramon Santiago, way to go! Hitting over .300 so far. Keep it up, please.
Notice, that while the numbers are skewed slightly, the top 4 batting averages right now all belong to catchers.
Dontrelle Willis, Nate Robertson, Zach Miner, I would not take any of you on the team right now. Miner, 10 earned runs over 10 innings, disgusting. Dontrelle, 3 walks and a hit batter over 3 innings.
Robertson, you are playing like a guy who is going to get his release before the end of the spring. I bet the Tigers are trying to unload your contract right now. In fact, I’d trade you for cash considerations if a team wanted you. The team has eaten bad contracts before to get rid of players who don’t have it anymore. You’re on notice.
Justin Verlander and Edwin Jackson, ERAs need to get closer to 3.0 instead of over 5.0.
Scott Williamson, you are also pitching right now like someone who doesn’t have it anymore. Either bear down or admit that you’re done.
On the brighter notes, Juan Rincon is pitching like a man on a mission. I’d take him on the team right now. Rick Porcello has surprised me pleasantly. With the current stats against Miner, Willis, and Robertson, I’m inclined to take Porcello as my 5th starter until he falls flat or one of the castaways heats up.
My next post will have the newest installment of my fantasy stat team. I’ll praise the surprises, and probably gripe some more about the dissappointments.
Fantasy Roster Part 2
The Tigers sit on 2-2 on the spring. This is one of the last games before we lose people for the WBC. This is Granderson’s last game before leaving for Team USA and the last before Guillen, Cabrera, Ordonez, and Galarraga leave for Team Venezuela. Anyways, after four spring games, my performance based roster sits as follows:
Position Players
Alex Avila
Brandon Inge
Don Kelly
Casper Wells
Gerald Laird
Placido Polanco
Miguel Cabrera
Ramon Santiago
Mike Hessman
Gary Sheffield
Clete Thomas
Adam Everett
Marcus Thames
Pitchers
Kyle Bloom
Freddy Dolsi
Edwin Jackson
Chris Lambert
Macay McBride
Zach Miner
Clay Rapada
Juan Rincon
Bobby Seay
Justin Verlander
Scott Williamson
Joel Zumaya
I feel the need to put some explanations on this list. I had to take Thames over Cale Iorg because the team needed more OF than IF, even though they have the same batting averages so far. On the pitching side, there were more than 12 who have an ERA of 0, but I left off Brandon Lyon because of the unearned runs against him, and Fu-Te Ni because I don’t believe he will make the team under most any circumstance.
Notable among those who are not on this list include Armando Galarraga, Nate Robinson, Fernando Rodney, Dontrelle Willis, Curtis Granderson, Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Guillen, Ryan Raburn, and Matt Treanor. Now, Willis and Rodney have only pitched one inning each so far. Nate and Armando also have only seen one game. Treanor is not on this team for his ability to swing the bat, but we need a capable backup catcher. Guillen is batting 1 for 10 coming into today, so no doubt the Classic will have him on track. While Granderson is only 1 for 6, he is drawing walks, so his average will get a pass until he returns. Ordonez is 1 for 7, and like Guillen his bat will probably come around for the Classic. Raburn, who might end up playing himself off the team is Casper Wells continues to swing well, is 0 for 4 with a few walks.
I think its safe to say that most people are pleased with how Inge is playing so far. Among the surprises for me is that Wells and Clete Thomas are both still on my stats only roster. Granted the numbers don’t say much, its good to see that the rookies can push the vets when needed. Kyle Bloom and Clay Rapada are also pleasant surprises to be on the list still. I’m also glad to see Juan Rincon and Scott Williamson being productive early on. That goes back to my prediction before the spring games started when I said I’ve give an inside edge to veteran arms over young ones who can use more conditioning.
A Different Kind of Game
The Tigers are two games into the spring schedule, with a record of 1-1, which doesn’t matter at all. I made my prediction for the 25-man roster, and I stick by that. However, if I were to play it another way, I’d make my team performanced based. I’d take the best batting averages and lowers ERAs and figure it all out from there. As a way to track the grapefruit league progress I’ll make more rosters every now and then to see if players get better, worse, or stay consistent. So, my stats driven roster, as of today, is…..
Brandon Inge
Casper Wells
Gerald Laird
Ramon Santiago
Curtis Granderson
Adam Everett
Placido Polanco
Clete Thomas
Miguel Cabrera
Magglio Ordonez
These are the only players with a batting average so far. Since I need at least 12 position players, I’ll add….
Cale Iorg
Ryan Raburn
Both with .500 OBP
Pitching will be….everyone. Since only 13 pitchers have been used, everyone makes the team in this game, for now.
Kyle Bloom
Edwin Jackson
Brandon Lyon
Macay McBride
Zach Miner
Fu-Te Ni
Clay Rapada
Justin Verlander
Bobby Seay
Joel Zumaya
Eddie Bonine
Nate Robertson
Rick Porcello
On this grins and giggles team, we have five guys who have never seen a major league roster before. The only one who this doesn’t effect is Bloom, the Rule 5 pick who’ll have to stay on the roster all year if he makes the team at all, otherwise he gets offered back to Pittsburgh at half price.
Also, Robertson and Porcello are on the bubble, having ERAs at 9.00 (aka 1 ER per inning). So the next pitcher who does better than that knocks one or both off my performance list. Likewise, Raburn and Iorg have no batting average to speak of, so the next two or three Tigers to get a hit will be above them.
Practicallity wise, I have 5 players who could start, Brandon Lyon, my projected closer, and seven other pitchers to fill out a bullpen. Position wise, I have one real catcher in Laird and two guys who could catch in a pinch (Raburn and Inge, if you look past the fact that they will never really catch again). I can put together a real outfield, with real position players and backups/utilities/supersubs to provide depth anywhere, infield or outfield. So go ahead and call the all-performance team crazy, even if it has only been two games and the regular season is like 40 days away.
Rememberance of the Ones Lost
As I wait for this spring’s games to be televised, I continue to watch the games from last year. It occurs to me that some words are needed in regards to the players who were in camp last year and now hindsight has produced odd results.
Ivan Rodriguez: I was not a fan of trading him away at the time. Still, when/if he signs with another team, wouldn’t there still be compensation near the kind we got when we “lost” Kyle Farnsworth to the Royals? Luckily, the Yankees didn’t get much offensively out of Pudge. He hit .295 for us, .219 for them. He only drove in 3 RBI (2 HR) for the Yanks in 33 games, so the Tigers easily won that end of things.
James Skelton: When camp broke last year, everyone was talking about Skelton and how he would be the future of the team. Now, he still might be, but nobody is talking about Skelton right now. Now there is a whole new set of backstops in Detroit, with Dusty Ryan and Dane Sardinha most likely calling games in Toledo. In fact people are talking about Ryan like they used to talk about Skelton, so the short term future doesn’t look good for the guy, too bad.
Edgar Renteria: Ok, so we figured out he is DEFINATELY not an AL player. In his last two years in St. Louis, Renteria hit .330 and .287. In Atlanta, he hit .293 and .332. In his two seasons in the AL (Boston and Detroit), Egar hit .277 and .270. Not a terrible drop off, except that his Detroit .270 is the second lowest batting average of his career. Career low in stolen bases in 2008. Fewest walks since he was a rookie, but at least it was his fewest strikeouts in five years. Lowest RBI total since leaving Flordia. Hits, runs, and doubles were also his lowest since 2001. Whether he didn’t want to be here, or just flat out cannot play in the AL, I’m not going to miss him. P.S. Lowest fielding percentage since season in Boston.
Todd Jones: Simple, quality player and a better man. Didn’t deserve to go out on an injury.
Macay McBride: Injuries hurt his 2008. I’m looking for him to rebound in AAA and be the first lefty to get a call when there is an injury or a need for another southpaw. At the same time, he could be one that gets moved for his near term upside to get someone with a longer term upside.
Tim Byrdak: I was sorry to see him go. He was a feel good story in 2007. He had a quality season with Houston in 2008. Played in more games in 08 versus 07, and with that in mind his Tigers numbers were a little better. Still, he is still with the Astros, which means he’s doing better than Rodriguez right now.
Francis Beltran: Like Renteria, Beltran is with the Giants organization. With the bullpen by comittee last year, his face blended in with the others who came through the revolving door. His highlights included his first ML win in 4 years (didn’t see ML service between 05-07). Otherwise the only thing I can say for him is that he lowered his career ERA while in Detroit.
Clete Thomas: I mentioned this in my last blog, there’s no room for him on this years team without someone else getting tradded or hurt. Injuries really cut his 2008 season short. I see him having success in the big leagues if he becomes the Placido Polanco of the outfield. His .284 average in 40 games is promising.
Brent Clevlen: Stop me if I repeat myself, but there is no room for Clevlend either right now. He’s out of options, so he is going to have to play his way on to the team and thensome. Not a whole lot to brag about from his 2008 callup. Increased his walks. He is a career .233 hitter, but his shining stat of the moment is that he is still 100% on his fielding.
Timo Perez: I can’t believe he didn’t get a look in 2008. He killed the ball in his 07 callup. Had a heck of a spring training in 08. I mean, you have to be doing something really right to hit .389 over 90 AB. Plus, unless I missed something, he can play anywhere in the outfield and can run very well.
Mike Hollimon: Another one bit by the injury bug. I don’t see a spot for him either out of spring training, but probably the first callup if we get an injury in the middle infield. Mostly played SS, but also some 2B and 3B. I’m thinking he’ll play mostly for his defense and not for his bat, but he’ll still need to hit to get on this club at some point. Just because Dane Sardinha did it doesn’t mean all the backups can.
Yorman Bazardo: Another of the lost faces in the bullpen shuffle. Currently in camp with the Phillies. There is nothing I can say other than he pitched for us in 08, and that he had higher expectations when we had him.
Matt Joyce: I’m going to miss Joyce. Obviously, he was the most attractive piece of the near future, which is why the Rays agreed to trade Edwin Jackson. I saw Joyce as the future of the outfield just like Thomas and Clevlen were/are the future. Yeah, he finished the season batting .252, so there is room for improvement. The 12 HR was pretty attractive from a rookie, and they always seemed to be loud ones. Struck me as a dependable and capable outfielder, hopefully this won’t bite us too badly.
Mike Hessman: I can’t stress this enough, Hessman should be on a national league roster. There is no room for him in Detroit without injury. He’d be a great backup corner infielder and pinch hitter. Granted, he only had 27 AB in 2008, but you have to be happy with his .296 batting average. Actually hit a career high 5 HR in 08 with the second fewest AB in his brief stints over four seasons. If someone gets hurt on the infield, I’d like to see what he can do with Marcus Thames-like ABs. Also, Hessman is out of options, so while I might be right about the NL roster, I’d still miss having him in the system.
Denny Bautista: Not going to miss him. With the Pirates now, but I expected more out of the Jose Capellan trade. Truth be told, he has is lowest ERA ever with his time in Detroit, and until he went to Pittsburgh later in the season, also had a career high in games with Detroit. Compared to other players’ ERAs, we probably should have kept him a bit longer than we did, but instead Bautista was lost in the roster shuffle. Opps.
Vance Wilson: I will miss his leadership. Probably one of the best backup catchers we’ve had in a while. Completely lost the last two years to injury. In 06 he batted .283, compared to .197 in 05. I’d like to think that he’d do .250 or better still. Considering he was playing once every two weeks or so backing up Pudge, what more could you really ask. I wanted to see him get a camp invite to at least prove himself, but what are you going to do?
Jacque Jones: BUST!!! I would definately take Omar Infante back compared to what we went through with Jones. On the other hand, we could probably have gotten any other left-handed bat who played LF and done better. Or….. Timo Perez could have gotten a shot, he bats left, played LF in 07, and I still say he earned better than he got in camp last year.The bright side of Jacque Jones….he played worse for Flordia last year than he did for us. With Cincinatti now, good luck to the Reds.
Chris Lambert: Nothing spectacular to say about his rookie 08 campaign. Still too early to judge him versus Mike Maroth, whom he was traded for. This spring and the season to follow should be a statment for Lambert to see if he is in future plans.
Freddy Guzman: Didn’t make it to Detroit in 08. Looked impressive in the spring games I was able to watch. In camp with Seattle now. Best of luck.
And that’s my roundup from 2008 camp players who warented a mention.Still going to watch more of last year’s games as I wait for this year’s to be broadcast. I haven’t decided yet if I’ll do another of these look back blogs when other former or lesser known players show up.
I’m calling my shot now
Ok, so Spring Training games start tomorrow. I’m going to use my awesome powers of intuition to pick what I think will be the Tigers opening day 25-man roster, barring injuries or trades, obviously.
Catchers
Matt Treanor
Gerald Laird
Infielders
Brandon Inge
Miguel Cabrera
Adam Everett
Placido Polanco
Ramon Santiago
Outfielders
Magglio Ordonez
Curtis Granderson
Carlos Guillen
Marcus Thames
Ryan Raburn
Designated Hitter
Gary Sheffield
Starting Rotation
Justin Verlander
Jeremy Bonderman
Armando Galarraga
Edwin Jackson
Dontrelle Willis
Bullpen
Nate Robertson
Zach Miner
Bobby Seay
Joel Zumaya
Fernando Rodney
Brandon Lyon
and…….
Scott Williamson
The way I like to play it is by taking a veteran hand (Williamson) over younger players who wouldn’t be hurt by further conditioning (Freddy Dolsi, Macay McBride). However, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Tigers front office did something with Nate Robertson. He is in a position like Inge was this time last year. Yeah, he can start. Yes, he’s been a reliever in the past. It’s not the worst idea ever to have Robertson and Miner split time as long men, depending on the situation. Or, if Jim Leyland was looking for a wild idea, how about a six-man rotation, with Robertson and Willis as lefties to split up the righty-dominant rotation.
The other names on the bullpen list can be debated until the cows come home, but the point is that someone on that roster would have to pitch their way off the club to not make it. On the position player side, its the same thing. Either someone has to get injured, traded, or play their way off the team. Brent Clevlen and Clete Thomas can’t prove themselves unless they get the playing time like Matt Joyce did. With Carlos Guillen beginning the experiment in left field, there just isn’t room to take on more outfielders. As it is, I see Ryan Raburn getting much more time in as an infielder than outfielder this year. Also, if the Guillen experiment does work, Marcus Thames will probably be the first backup at first base. Is it just me, or does anybody else see the Dmitri Young 1st-3rd-LF experiment all over again?
The same thing goes for the spare infielders. With a healthy Sheffield and again so many outfielders who can play infield, there is just no room for Jeff Larish, Mike Hessman, or Michael Hollimon. I was going to save this point for my next blog, talking about spring training from last year, but Mike Hessman should be a backup corner infielder and pinch hitter on a National League roster somewhere, instead of becomming an all-time home run king of AAA.
Anyways, looking forward to the first Grapefruit League game tomorrow and seeing how my predictions pan out over the spring.
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