Who to Keep

[Tigers#1]

Who on the Tigers would you keep?

I'd keep:
Mike Rivera at Catcher
Ramon Santiago at Short
Dmitri Young at third
Rob Fick in the Outfeild
Andres Torres in Center
Greisinger, Redman, and Cornejo at Starting pitchers
Anderson at Closer
Acevedo, Farnsworth, and Paniagua in releif

[Trots]

That is a loaded question #1. My first thought is what are the Tigers getting in place of these guys? If we are upgrading the team, I'd be willing to part with any of them. About the only guys the Tigers really have to be careful with are Cornejo, Weaver and maybe Anderson.

From a purely personal standpoint, there are a number of Tigers and potential future Tigers (Weaver, Young, Inge, Rivera, Santiago, Infante, Hannahan, Baugh, Fick, etc...), that I would like to see stay. However, I know for this team to improve some are going to have to go and no one here is untouchable, imo.

[Tigers#1]

The guys i picked, are guys who have shown they can play, are young, and guys i'd start to build the team around. Of course several of them i'd eventually get rid of. But these are who i beleive can win, and will be good backbones of the organization.

[Trots]

Some of the real backbones of the organization are still in the minors. I love Hannahan (3B) and there are some arms in the system (Larrison, Baugh and others) that should have some impact at the highest level eventually.

Having said that, I really think Dombrowski is going to change the look of the personnel at all levels. My guess is the Tigers are going to be much, much younger and more athletic with each passing month. The draft, the trade deadline and the off-season (whenever that can take place) should all bring major changes to the Tigers' roster.

[Tigers#1]

I like Hanahan a lot too. I havn't heard much about him this year, but he could be the future third baseman here. Kenny Baugh looks like a future all star, but i would not rush him. I think it was a mistake putting him in AA last year that early. Infante has a future in the majors, i've just always been partial with Santiago. Torres has been called by many scouts, "the fastest player in the majors". I liked him when came up earlier.

Smith's biggest problem, was that he took to many injury prone players, who weren't very athletic. His drafts usually looked the best, but the players were never able come through in the majors.

[Trots]

Baugh is hurt and, I think, is out for the season. His problem is going to be injuries. He pitched a ton in college. Those innings catch up with a player eventually and I'm very worried that this is just the beginning of prolonged arm problems due to over use. Wheatland remains hurt, doesn't he?

I'm not sure if Hannahan is at Lakeland or Erie. I thought I heard Lakeland. I really believe he is better than the other thirdbasemen on the roster right now. However, there aren't too many Albert Pujols types that make the jump from A to The Show.

I like Torres, as well. My concern with him is his bat. Will he hit enough, or more specifically, will he get on base enough to use that speed?

Do you think they could move Infante or Santiago to second? They would seem like a nice DP combo. The long term 2B, Michael Woods, broke his leg and this year is going to set him back some.

[Tigers#1]

Weatland is hurt right now, i don't know for how long.

I don't think anyone has even suggested moving Santiago, or Infante to second. Both have really good SS arms. I like Woods a lot, unfortunatly, he's hurt too.

[Trots]

I like when teams think in creative ways. If we can get both Infante and Santiago on the field, why not make one of them switch? There are no guarantees Woods will ever make the Majors. Alfonso Soriano was a shortstop prospect, but the Yankees found him a home at second. Besides, history is littered with players who changed positions and went on to become all-stars. Dale Murphy, Craig Biggio, Ryne Sandberg, etc....

[Tigers#1]

Yeah, i definatly say try it. Easley needs to go, Macias is gone, and Halter wants out. Might as well put in a few young, cheap guys who want to play!

[Trots]

I heard Kaline on the radio pre-game tonight talking about Santiago and Infante. Price asked him if Santiago becomes the answer at short, what happens to Infante? Kaline said that there was the possibility that Infante would be moved to second. He did caution that it was far too early to be making any such moves as neither player has established himself.

Santiago hit one deep into rightfield tonight, only to be cut down at home attempting an inside the park HR. I thought Samuel should have held him, as there were two outs and the Tigs were only down a run. However, Gibby thought it was a good idea to send him as the relay throw missed the first cutoff man. Anyway, Santiago has good wheels and displayed some pop in his bat.

I also read today that Woods is making a faster than expected recovery and might play some in starting in July.

[Tigers#1]

Glad to here about Woods. He has a ton of potential.

It'd be neat to see in a few years, who of these 3 will be where. Nook Logan was another good SS prospect, but he's in the outfeild now.