I'm trying to think of times when the Tigers acquired a first rate bat in exchange for pitching. Yoenis Cespedes certainly qualifies. Have there been others?
Smith and McHale were eminently qualified...after all, their dads were famous baseball executives. They decided to design a park for the "National League style of play", for a franchise that had been defined by power hitting for generations. They were clowns.
Correct, and it doesn't matter if the second baseman has an OBP below .300 because he makes up for it with moxie and grit. He's got a great baseball name too, something like Donny Day, not a doofus name like Spencer.
His career reminds me of JD Martinez and I am hoping that the improvement continues to the point where you have to keep his bat in the lineup, and you live with his glove.
That's so good, I know that these players are hoping for a chance at the show, maybe a second chance, but it would be great for the local baseball community if some players came back for a season or two.