Stick with Santiago Until Iorg is Ready?

by Ian Casselberry on Oct 31, 2008 10:45 PM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

At his Freep.com blog, WRIF's Jamie Samuelsen (my new Facebook friend!) thinks Ramon Santiago is a suitable stopgap at shortstop until Cale Iorg is ready for prime time:

The list of potential free agents doesn’t move me all that much. Omar Vizquel had his best seasons, what, EIGHT years ago? Orlando Cabrera is such a head case that he made Ozzie Guillen lose his mind in Chicago, and that is a tall task. Rafael Furcal made $13 million in the final year of his Dodgers contract. I’m guessing he won’t want too much of a pay cut, and his numbers just don’t support that salary. He is fast and is one of the few base-stealing threats left in baseball, but with Granderson and Polanco at the top of the Tigers' lineup, he doesn’t seem to fit there. And would you really want to pay $10 million-plus for a No. 8 or No. 9 hitter.

If Iorg is a year away, Samuelsen continues, committing multiple years to a veteran shortstop makes no sense. But that's presuming that Iorg is indeed one season from the majors.

In my fantasy world, I've actually become a bit enamored with Furcal, thinking he could give the Tigers a lot of what they currently lack - speed, a left-handed bat, great defense, and a leadoff hitter that would allow Curtis Granderson to move to a middle-of-the-order slot in the lineup.

And I certainly agree that a guy coming off back surgery (and played in only 36 games this season) isn't an ideal candidate to sign for at least $13 million a year. However, if he's looking for a team to play with for a year to prove that his back is healthy...

But I do think that Samuelsen reflects a general sentiment in Tiger Town, that Santiago would be good enough at shortstop next season. Or am I misreading that?

Tweet Comment 11 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Furcal

Furcal, if healthy, fits the Tigers like a glove. I agree with BYB. Tigers need a ss that hits from the left side and has speed. I would not pay 13 million but take a serious run at him. Then you could move Granderson to the two spot because he would see a lot more fastballs. Polcano can hit anything and bat anywhere in the line-up. Santiago is a good ulitity player.

by Barry2 on Oct 31, 2008 11:48 PM EDT reply actions

Furcal

Nah! Take a pass. Too much money. I’d go with Santiago.

by densogirl on Nov 1, 2008 9:13 AM EDT reply actions

El Salvador Santiago..

Santiago has always just done what they expected him to do. I’m much better with him, than say, spending Renterria money for say, Renterria.

by Zappatista on Nov 1, 2008 9:36 AM EDT reply actions

Now is the time

For the Tigers to finally give Omar Infante a full year to see what he can do. Too bad he’s a Brave now.

I think Iorg is more than a year away from being ready. He had a lot of time away from baseball and probably is closer to 2 years away from being ready. He struck out 111 times in 383 at bats in Lakeland, so he’s got some work to do still.

I’m not too crazy about any of the free agent options, nor am I crazy about Santiago as the everyday SS. Santiago/Inge/Catcher X makes for a lot of rallies killed by the bottom of the lineup.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they trade one of their bad contracts (Nate Robertson?) to the Red Sox for Julio Lugo (also a bad contract).

by ThaWalrus9 on Nov 1, 2008 10:36 AM EDT reply actions

I think Santiago is strictly a utility infielder and I’d be wary about making him their everyday shortstop. I don’t think he’s a great enough fielder to overcome his weak bat. Maybe, they could get Cesar Izturis to split time with him and use a pinch hitter every game in the late innings.

by LPanas on Nov 1, 2008 12:31 PM EDT reply actions

Pitching is Key

Furcal would be my number one. He and the Tigers would be great together. I can only imagine a how great a stronger infield, quicker lineup and all around more threatening team would be in 2009. With that said, I think he is the only free agent SS worth throwing money at. If not, I am on board with Santiago. He still solidifies the infield and has some speed, you just wont get that bat.

Cabrera, Izturis, Renteria and company would all be a big waste of money.

-s

by seanheyboer on Nov 1, 2008 1:30 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t think izturis would cost very much. The thing with Furcal is that it will likely require a long term deal and he’s got a back problem. That would worry me. Anyway, they way they are promoting Iorg, I think they only want a one year stop gap so I doubt they go after Furcal.

by LPanas on Nov 1, 2008 1:48 PM EDT reply actions

Replacing Renteria with Izturis is exchanging one pig with lipstick for a slightly prettier pig with lipstick. I don’t believe that’s the way to go, and Furcal isn’t much better.

If they really want Iorg to get going, than I agree that a one-year solution is best and we already have Santiago for that.

by john.kmiecik on Nov 1, 2008 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Ramon has busted his ass for this team, and I think he’s ready to give full-time playing status a shot. I really don’t want to see Edgar back again. I believe Edgar is a good player still and will thrive elsewhere but Detroit just isn’t going to work out for him.

by john.kmiecik on Nov 1, 2008 3:07 PM EDT reply actions

If the Tigers have the millions to throw at Furcal, they ought be using it for good pitching—either for a good starter or a couple of good relievers. The Tigers 2008 problems began and ended with pitching and fixing that ought to be priority numero uno.

Also, with regard to Furcal’s back, do the Tigers really need another injury-in-the-waiting?

by Dberg on Nov 1, 2008 4:27 PM EDT reply actions

Furcal

Man, if the Tigers could get Furcal on a one year deal that would be great. However, I’ll side with Lee in that any thing more than a one year deal would be risky and not worth it. That being said, I don’t really know what they should do until Iorg is ready. I just don’t think Santiago is the answer.

Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.

by spotstarters on Nov 1, 2008 11:46 PM EDT reply actions