casimir

I think the 9 game losing streak was the low point of the season so far. These past 2 games have stunk, and they've been against one of the 2 worst teams in the league. But every team loses 2 in a row, and the combination of 1-0 and a blowout isn't uncommon.

Oakland Athletics vs Detroit Tigers Watch: Tigers - Bally Sports Detroit, Athletics - NBCSCA Listen: Tigers - 97.1 The Ticket, Athletics - A's Cast, Bloomberg 960 AM/103.7 HD2

I’m not going to assume another 3 to 6 years of losing. I’m going to wait and see how Harris operates. I don’t think last season is necessarily indicative of what to expect. Maybe it turns out to be so, but I want to wait and see how things go.

Been a few Ls, eh?

I’m all for ready to stay as a ball player. If that means defensive work needs to be done in the minors, so be it.

Can’t hit Carpenter leadoff vs the RHP?

I’ll be honest, seeing Torkelson flail in a couple of key plate appearances really, really discouraged me. I’ve been pretty patient with him, I don’t think he’s deserving of all of the guff that he receives given his lack of minor league time. I suspect now he was rushed up too quickly. But, geez, he looked overmatched last night late in the game. Striking out on that inside pitch was just awful.

I'm old enough to remember Kreidler was spoken of as the SS of the future. Why did you morans break him?

In general the positional versatility doesn't bother me. But it might not be for everybody on the field. That might be as much of a mental/intangibles thing as it is a physical/tools thing. So we are probably left to guess and project at times. I'm all for trying guys up on the defensive spectrum. They give it a go with Malloy this season, but it seems they've pulled the plug. OK, fine, he's probably not a 3B, let's move along with him in the OF. As for Keith, I don't know. It might be wise to figure out positions between he and Jung if they are reasonably assumed as MLB players. Maybe they both get 2B for a bit with their respective minor league assignments, see if its a go there for either. But both can't play at 2B in Detroit, so someone has to move to 3B (or elsewhere) or becomes trade bait. Heck, maybe the Tigers have come to the realization that both project as 3B and they need to move one or the other and are just waiting to make it happen at the optimal time.

It takes time to develop players. It also takes time to implement a development system. Let's be honest, the organization was at best bad at getting talent or developing it. It may be that they were guilty of both. They are still less than a year into the Harris regime. My guess is turning that around and into the direction it needs to go is like turning a freighter on the water. It ain't turning on a dime.

McKinstry can return to 2B soon, but we may have seen his best work. I wouldn’t rule Maton out yet, but he’s certainly got work to do. Cabrera and Schoop leave. Nevin should be go as well. I could see one or both of Ibanez & Short leaving, but I don’t think both return. Torkelson & Baez return. I think Malloy is probably no longer an IF option. What do they do with Lipcius? Lots of room for improvement on the IF.

I don't know. I agree with Monroe, how often has he bunted? Is he capable?

Yup. That's kind of what I was getting at. Can Marisnick catch? That might be his only chance once Greene and Baddoo return.

I'm not sure on McKinstry & Ibanez. They may or may not be the best everyday options at 2B & 3B right now. Short might figure into that as well. Maybe a job share of the 3 for those 2 spots? I don't know. As far as the C situation, I think its as simple as Rogers is the primary and Haase gets the day game after night game and Rogers needs a rest games. He can start a game in LF if needed, but that need isn't necessarily sit Carpenter automatically because a LHP is starting. Play him, let him sink or swim with the bat vs LHPs. The only caveat I can think of there is that they might be willing to move him this offseason, and they need to not overexpose a hole vs LHPs considering the glaring hole in his mitt.

Malloy didn't force it earlier this season when he was tearing it up. I don't think it'll happen with either at this point. Next season might be a different story.

Ha! I was wondering about that. Then again, if I were to look in the mirror....

For Sands?

I'm not bashing anyone's coffee orders. If you like cream or sugar or foam or however you like it, hey, God bless. But I completely dumbfounded a Dunkin' Donuts (I guess they are just Dunkin' now?) today by asking for a small black coffee. I said a small regular coffee, and I guess regular means some amount of cream and sugar? I'm not sure. Admittedly I don't get out much these days.

I think if one goes through the exercise of putting together the 13 position players after Greene and Baddoo are healthy and back on the roster, its difficult to find a spot for Marisnick unless another OF or Cabrera find themselves on the injured list. Marisnick is a Tiger simply because the CF depth chart is decimated and he was easily acquired to fill that depth chart. The team was looking at Short as the backup CF. You can't do that. I think to the discussion regarding platooning and how to fill up a roster, I think defense is key up the middle. So, yeah, go ahead and fill the CF void with defense over offense. It ain't like offense is easily acquirable for CF anyway.

Phillips was a natural for this thread. A leadoff hitter as a Tiger and spent time with Oakland, so let him lead off this series. Could be explosive (happy 4th of July). Did any Tiger fan not appreciate Phillips' time as a Tiger? I mean, sure, he had a clunker of a game now and again like all ball players do. But, he was so fun to watch, you knew he'd be in the lineup, but you just didn't know where until you saw the lineup card. He had some shortcomings as far as talent was concerned, but damn it if he didn't make up for it with wit and guile.

Well, the offense didn't show up tonight, so I figured getting an early start on this thread will allow ample time for the hitting twigs to be ready tomorrow night.

I'm not sure what being an all star really means anymore. Merrifield shouldn't be on the team. Lorenzen shouldn't be on the team. There are these issues every year. But its merely an exhibition game, so does it really mean anything anyway? Heck, they added Pujols and Cabrera to the team last year.

Over Baddoo?

Oakland Athletics vs Detroit Tigers Watch: Tigers - Bally Sports Detroit, Athletics - NBCSCA Listen: Tigers - 97.1 The Ticket, Athletics - A's Cast, Bloomberg 960 AM/103.7 HD2

What would your position player roster look like after Greene and Baddoo return? Is there a spot for Marisnick?