LOGJAM

By:  Holly Horning

For the first time in a number of years, we can finally say that the Detroit Tigers have some actual competition for a number of defensive positions. Granted, it’s not talent at the highest level, but it’s decent competition nonetheless. And we’re definitely seeing it in the outfield most of all.

It’s the opposite of an Agatha Christie mystery. Instead of seeing people dropping like flies, the live bodies are multiplying.

And it’s a good problem to have.

But in less than 2 weeks, the Tigers are going to have to make a choice. A hard choice.

And any decisions they make in the outfield are going to impact the infield, the starting rotation and also the bullpen. It’s because if they do decide to carry a 5th outfielder, they are going to have to make that final cut somewhere else.

A fifth outfielder will mean that one of 2-3 expected bench guys may have to be cut. Or it may change their potential plan to implement a 6-man rotation necessitated by the young arms on pitch limits and the dangerous increase overall in workloads due to the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

The bullpen may have to forego a reliever. And it’s been mentioned that the Tigers may have to choose between keeping Isaac Paredes or Renato Nunez.

All because not a single outfielder competing for a slot is capable of also playing the infield.

Let’s look at the viability of each outfielder who is in the running. All 8 of them. (We’re omitting Harold Castro since he’s considered to be a utility player.)

Robbie Grossman and Nomar Mazara are considered slam-dunks due to their contracts. However, A. J. Hinch has been moving them around the outfield so we can’t expect that Grossman will automatically get the LF slot.

Six now and counting….

Christin Stewart is an easy no-go given that his ticket – the bat – is what kept him in the lineup. Now, he’s not even hitting. And as I write this, the Tigers just announced he was sent down.

Five to go….

Daz Cameron is the next likely to go. Still unproven and nursing a sprained UCL. He’ll go back to Toledo, get healthy and wait until an outfielder or two goes down.

Four more……

Speaking of injured outfielders, he may get called up when JaCoby Jones goes down. (And A. J. Hinch did say he’d like to try Daz in CF.) Jones is a near-lock for CF given that he still ranks as one of MLB’s best CFers and has great speed that should support his candidacy given Hinch’s declaration that the Tigers need to be more aggressive on the base paths.

JJ’s offense has gone up every year since 2017 which is a definite plus in keeping him. And he’s been one of the team’s best hitters for the past couple years.

The final three….

Remember Derek Hill? He was the Tigers first-round draft pick in 2014. He’s had his share of offensive woes but is having a decent spring training. He’s considered to be an elite defender with elite speed and he’s making MLB TV’s highlight reel at least 3 times a week with stupendous catches. He’s made for Comerica National Park’s CF.

Hill is getting older and it’s hard to believe that the Tigers would keep him down in the minors for yet another year. If the defensively-challenged Mazara is playing RF, it makes sense to have Hill in CF to help cover him.

Deciding on Derek, as the Magic 8-Ball would say, is in the category of “Cannot predict now.”

(Of course, as I hit “send” on this blog, the Tigers just sent Derek Hill down.)

Two to go………..

How many of you believe Victor Reyes is here to stay? He may not be despite his fine performances. And it’s all due to Akil Baddoo.

What does Reyes have that works against him? One more minor league option. That may be the deciding factor until an outfielder goes down or gets traded, bringing him back to Detroit.

Unfair? Yes, but this is the tough spot the Tigers are in.

And it comes down to one……

As I write this blog, Akil Baddoo has now hit his 3rd HR of spring training. He and Willi Castro are currently the top offensive players on the team. Baddoo also has blazing speed. The only concern is that he hasn’t played above A ball.

And as you know, he’s a Rule 5 draft pick which means he needs to stay on the 26-man roster for the entire year or be offered back to AL Central competitor, the Twins. There is a loophole in which the Tigers can cut a deal with the Twins which would involve a “trade.” But there are 2 problems. The Twins probably would want him back and the Tigers would need to give up other prospects in order to keep him and send him down to the minors. This latter option probably will not happen.

Which means we’re down to the tough decisions.

It’s likely the Tigers’ Opening Day roster will include Grossman, Mazara, Jones and Baddoo. Given the decision to send Hill down a nano-second ago, are the Tigers likely to send Reyes down as well in order to maintain flexibility in the rest of the roster and protect young pitching arms?

I honestly have no idea. And I don’t think that A. J. Hinch does either.

At least not for another week. Maybe two.

What did you miss on the Totally Tigers Twitter feed yesterday?

–        Another one down … and then there were 5.

–        A current Tiger got encouragement from a former Tiger – when he needed it the most.

–       Not to be denied, he’s one of the 5.

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