The Sports Xchange
MLB Team Report – Detroit Tigers – INSIDE PITCH
People who think Detroit won’t have any more runners thrown out on the bases just because the Tigers have replaced Gene Lamont with Tom Brookens as the third-base coach probably sprinkle something funny on their morning cereal.
“Show me a third-base coach who doesn’t have anybody thrown out and I’ll show you a bad third-base coach,” is one of Jim Leyland’s favorite sayings on coaches.
At the Winter Meetings, Detroit slipped the announcement that Brookens would run to third base from the first-base coach’s box and Lamont would slide into the dugout to be a bench coach.
The timing wasn’t a blatant attempt to hide the move — Lamont has been criticized for his active wave-’em-in arm throughout his career as Leyland’s alter ego in the coach’s box — but it was a strategy to get the change minimized by the quick flow of Winter Meetings’ news.
Leyland hinted at the move after the World Series and the best guess then was that Brookens, 59, would replace Lamont, 65, at third. Infield coach Rafael Belliard will coach at first base now.
“I have the utmost respect for Gene’s opinion,” Leyland said in making the announcement. “This will be another mind for me to bounce something off of. But most of it’s because Brookie’s a little sprier right now.
“Gene is as good as any third-base coach in the league. Terrific judgment. Terrific. But it might be time for him to come over to the bench with me and put Brookie out there.”
It was felt in some quarters the move was hastened when Prince Fielder got thrown out at home plate in the second World Series game, but Leyland has never been one to cave to public opinion when he thinks he’s right.
“If you’re referring to the Prince Fielder thing, Gene Lamont looked up and said he made an aggressive mistake,” Leyland said. “That had nothing to do with it.”
Lamont was reaching the point where his size and a bad knee were limiting his mobility and ability to get away from screaming line drives and ground balls.
Brookens has already noted the door at third base is open and he’ll be waving guys through.
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MLB Team Report – Detroit Tigers – NOTES, QUOTES
–3B Miguel Cabrera is signed for three more seasons for a total of $65 million, but talk already has begun that he might complete his career playing for Detroit. “I think it’s a realistic situation,” Dombrowski said recently. “We love what he does on the field and what he does for the club off the field.” He will begin his sixth season with the Tigers this spring after spending the first five years of his career with the Marlins. Cabrera, 29, just became the first player since 1967 to win the Triple Crown and followed that up with an MVP award. “He being one of the best players in the game, hopefully that can take place,” Dombrowski said. “I think he’s happy here.”
–RF Avisail Garcia will come to spring training a long shot to make Detroit’s roster. The Tigers need a right-handed-hitting outfielder but want Garcia to get a lot of at-bats this year, something that would not happen were he to be with the Tigers. RF Torii Hunter was signed to play right the next two years while OF Andy Dirks will be the primary left fielder, playing mostly against right-handed pitching. Garcia performed much better than anticipated when brought up Aug. 31 but still has things to work on. He played winter ball for Oriente in the Dominican Republic and hit just .185 in 15 games.
–IF Ramon Santiago needed to hone his batting eye playing winter ball and apparently did just that. Manager Jim Leyland strongly suggested that Santiago, who had a poor year at the plate and has one more season on a two-year contract, play during the offseason to see more live pitching. Santiago played for Escogido in the Dominican Winter League and hit .325 in 21 games.
–RHP Bruce Rondon didn’t hurt his bid to be Detroit’s new closer this year with his winter baseball showing. Rondon, whose next pitch in the majors will be his first, enters spring training as the first choice to replace the departed Jose Valverde as the Tigers’ ninth-inning pitcher. Rondon, 23, had a 4.41 ERA in 18 games for Magallanes of the Venezuelan Winter League but went 4-1 with nine saves. His high ERA was the result of one five-run outing.
–LHP Phil Coke is eligible for arbitration this winter, but Detroit has never had a player get that far in his contract dealings since Dave Dombrowski took over as general manager. Coke ended the postseason as the Tigers’ primary but unannounced closer and finished the year strong after a so-so middle portion. He earned $1.1 million in 2012 and figures to double that if he signs a new one-year deal.
BY THE NUMBERS: 25 — Approximate millions of dollars Detroit shed in payroll by trading 3B Brandon Inge, releasing UT Ryan Raburn and letting RHP Jose Valverde, DH/LF Delmon Young and C Gerald Laird leave as free agents. Additions and raises will eat up more than that total as Detroit’s payroll figures to rise above $150 million.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “We’re very happy with what’s taken place.” — GM Dave Dombrowski summing up the Tigers’ offseason moves.
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MLB Team Report – Detroit Tigers – ROSTER REPORT
Owner Mike Ilitch approved the surprise re-signing of RHP Anibal Sanchez to a five-year deal, giving Detroit a surplus of starting pitching. The Tigers’ other major offseason signing was RF Torii Hunter. They added a veteran backup catcher, Brayan Pena, and selected two players in the Dec. 6 Rule 5 draft, 2B Jeff Kobernus and LHP Kyle Lobstein, who will get tryouts in spring training. Kobernus may get a shot to be LF Andy Dirks’ platoon partner. DH Victor Martinez returns from a left knee injury to replace departed DH Delmon Young. A shortstop with greater range than SS Jhonny Peralta is also on the wish list but is not a move that needs to be made right away.
ARRIVALS: 2B Jeff Kobernus (Rule 5 draft pick from Nationals, via Red Sox), LHP Kyle Lobstein (Rule 5 draft from Rays, via Mets), C Brayan Pena (free agent from Royals), C Ramon Cabrera (trade with Pirates).
DEPARTURES: C Gerald Laird (free agent, signed with Braves), LHP Andrew Oliver (traded to Pirates), LHP Andy Wilk (contract sold to Korean team).
BIGGEST NEEDS: A right-handed-hitting outfielder who can pinch-hit and platoon in left with LF Andy Dirks plus another lefty for the bullpen are things the Tigers will be looking for heading into spring training. A shortstop with more range than SS Jhonny Peralta remains on the club’s radar. RHP Jose Valverde’s replacement as closer will probably come internally, with rookie RHP Bruce Rondon getting the first shot.
FREE AGENTS: DH Delmon Young, RHP Jose Valverde.
The lone returnee was Sanchez, who signed a five-year, $80 million deal on Dec. 17. Young was allowed to leave with DH Victor Martinez returning after missing a year with a left knee injury. Laird went to Atlanta on a two-year deal. Valverde’s key figures dropped this season and his postseason collapse assured he will pitch elsewhere in 2013.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: RHP Max Scherzer, RHP Rick Porcello, RHP Doug Fister, LHP Phil Coke, CF Austin Jackson, RF Brennan Boesch, C Alex Avila.
Multiyear deals are possible for Scherzer, Fister, Jackson and Avila.
IN LIMBO: RF Brennan Boesch, OF Quintin Berry, INF Danny Worth, INF Ramon Santiago, LHP Darin Downs.
MEDICAL WATCH:
–DH Victor Martinez (microfracture left knee surgery in January 2012) began hitting off a tee and running in November. He’s expected to be ready for spring training.
–2B Omar Infante (broken left hand) was hit on the hand in the ninth inning of the final World Series game, suffering a non-displaced fracture that will not require surgery. He should be ready for spring training.
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