If that were true, I think his defense would be better ranked than 20 out of 21.
https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=1b&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=y&type=1&season=2023&month=0&season1=2023&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2023-01-01&enddate=2023-12-31
He likely gets more chances at getting scoops because of Baez' weak arm, though.
It's similar to how a poor outfielder can get a lot of runners thrown out because everyone runs on him.
Injuries are always going to happen. Tigers problem is that they have no depth. It'll be amazing if they can get to .500 now with their best starting pitcher and best hitter now out.
Here's something that may or may not be meaningful:
Matt Boyd splits:
Home - 0-4 | 22 2/3 IP | 8.34 ERA | 1.90 WHIP | 17 K | 15 BB
Away - 3-0 | 25 2/3 IP | 3.86 ERA | 1.01 WHIP | 27 K | 7 BB
Collectively the AL West is below .500 and it's all due to the A's. The A's are on pace to lose 133 games, which would crush the AL record set by the Tigers in 2003 of 119 losses.
I looked at the stats today and I was mostly surprised that he has 10 steals already.
I'd like to see him get more playing time against LHP to see if he can be an everyday player. Although Schoop is hitting over .300 against LHP and Hinch likes playing matchups.
This is a good analysis, but I was mostly asking about those particular players. Maton and Rogers have above average walk rates and are leading the team in home runs, but both are way below .200 in batting average. Both are below average with Rogers at 73 wRC+ and Maton at 68 wRC+. Would they have better performance if they didn't try to walk so much?
Are the Tigers too patient? Don't get me wrong, walks are great, but Maton, Rogers, and Schoop also have above average walk rates and are not hitting very well.
I do have one concern with the bullpen and his name is Jose Cisnero. He has a pretty healthy 3.55 ERA, but a 6.78 FIP. Hinch likes to use him in high leverage situations and one of these days he's going to implode.
I take a lot of things that announcers say with a grain of salt. Most of the time they are saying things that the audience wants to hear and not what's actually happening. Not that I don't think Rodriguez hasn't been talking to Wentz, but I do question the "mentor" part.
I wouldn't be surprised to see him traded for a hitter or 2 at the deadline. His motivation is based purely on how much money he can make and if there is even a slim chance of him making more money elsewhere, he's going to opt out.
I don't know how much Harris would want him on the team anyway. Loyalty and teammanship isn't something that Rodriguez posses.