Skelton Draws Notice Elsewhere

by Ian Casselberry on Nov 24, 2008 3:00 PM EST in Detroit Tigers News

Last Friday, we had a good discussion over whether or not the Detroit Tigers made a mistake by leaving catcher James Skelton off their 40-man roster, thus allowing another team to select him in the upcoming Rule 5 draft.

Some think the Tigers could regret not protecting a promising young catcher. Others believe Detroit is taking the correct risk, given the unlikelihood of another team picking up a third catcher that would have to remain on the major league roster next season.

The first side might find it interesting to see who our SB Nation broham Bucs Dugout highlighted as the best position player available among Rule 5 eligible players:

This year, the best position player available that I've seen is catcher James Skelton of the Tigers. He's worth considering because he's not old and he looks like he might become a plus hitter if he stays behind the plate, but his defense is apparently not very good, and he's pretty small, so his power may not come along. Also, he's a lefty, so he wouldn't really complement Ryan Doumit.

However, the second side would note that Charlie didn't say the Pirates would (or should) select Skelton. He prefers Rays reliever Eduardo Morlan as someone who could stay on the major league roster and make a contribution.

So whose point is better supported by this? Is it notable that another blogger thinks Skelton is the best position player available? Or does the assertion that pitchers are more likely to be drafted mean the Tigers probably made the right decision in not protecting him on the 40-man roster?

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Doing their work for them

Not a whole lot of research going on at the Bucs Dugout because:

1. The Pirates 40-man is full
2. It already includes 5 catchers

Also, the bar is pretty low for best position player available. Only three guys are worth any consideration at all, Skelton, Jordan Brown (1B) and Daniel Mayora (SS). Brown has at least played AAA ball, though not very well. He’s 24. Mayora, 22, actually has some really good numbers through A+ ball.

Judging solely by his offensive numbers and the fact that he plays the second hardest position on the diamond, I’d actually put Mayora ahead of Skelton.

by MacRae on Nov 24, 2008 3:22 PM EST reply actions

Er...

With all due respect, it’s you who ought to do the research. The Pirates’ roster being full is irrelevant; they can (and probably will) remove a player before the draft and still select someone. Also, the Pirates’ five catchers include one on the outs with the organization (Ronny Paulino), one who’s pretty likely to be non-tendered (Raul Chavez) and two fringe prospects. ALSO, you apparently didn’t bother to read the post above, since I didn’t recommend the Pirates select Skelton or suggest that they might.

Nice try, though.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Dec 3, 2008 11:52 PM EST up reply actions

Renteria Signs with the Giants

Tigers will get the Giants’ second round pick. Can they use it to draft Jair Jurrjens?

by ThaWalrus9 on Nov 24, 2008 4:43 PM EST reply actions

From Giants beat reporter Henry Schulman.

UPDATE: Talked to Bobby Evans, the Giants’ director of player personal, and he also said there is no deal, although he did confirm the team continues to talk to Renteria, Furcal and others.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/indexn?blogid=22

by MacRae on Nov 24, 2008 6:02 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah I saw that

Too bad, would’ve been nice to get a draft pick for Renteria…

by ThaWalrus9 on Nov 24, 2008 6:12 PM EST up reply actions

I’m confident we will, provided Double-D has the nads to offer him arbitration.

by MacRae on Nov 24, 2008 6:16 PM EST up reply actions

Why take the risk?

Sure there is a good possibility that Skelton will not be pick during the Rule 5 draft but it is not 100 percent fullproof. Surely there are few players on the list that would definitely make it through the draft.

by Barry2 on Nov 24, 2008 8:04 PM EST reply actions

compensation for Renteria

Highly unlikely – unless the Cardinals work out a private (hush-hush) deal with Dombrowskl — prior to St. Louis signing Renteria. Both the Cardinals and Tigers are super-friendly with each other. Detroit could reward St. Louis at a future date — for allowing us a compensatory draft pick — by falsely showing interest in Renteria thru offfering Edgar arbitration.

However, both Leyland and Dombrowski are on a boat that’s taking-in water and and could eventually drown 0 due to poor signings and poor managing lately. The only way to reverse it is to make sound, safe decisions this winter – without any risks ….ie…. no Garcia, Renteria, Cordero……etc.

by DamusFucious777 on Nov 25, 2008 12:56 AM EST reply actions