Scott Sizemore recalled by Detroit Tigers
by Kurt Mensching on Sep 5, 2010 9:22 PM EDT
in Detroit Tigers News
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PrintThere was some question what exactly Scott Sizemore did to fall out of favor so quickly with the Tigers. Sure his first trip to the major leagues was not a good one. Five months after breaking his ankle, he hit poorly, fielded awkwardly and had one or two "welcome to the big leagues" lowlight reel moments. He wouldn't be the first player to have a bad month and won't be the last.
John Wagner of the Toledo Blade reported on Twitter that Sizemore received word after his game today: He's returning to Detroit. That was probably a big sigh of relief.
Of course, while he's been gone -- hitting for a .293 average / .831 OPS in Triple A -- a former teammate of his, Will Rhymes, stepped up and laid a solid claim to second base. Meanwhile Brandon Inge doesn't seem to be ceding third base. So it's going to be up to manager Jim Leyland to find Sizemore a little elbow room, and it will be imperative of Sizemore to make the most of it heading into the offseason.
MLB.com's Jason Beck has more, including some quotes from Sizemore.
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I know where to put him
Since Johnny Damon has apparently checked out after refusing the trip to Boston, let Scotty be the DH for a while. His AAA stats should translate into something better than Damon’s recent cancerous plate appearances with runners on base. Besides, as noted everywhere, we’re already the Mud Hens with Jackson and Cabrera in the line-up.
1 question
1 question only.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWHHHHHHHHHHHHHHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY????
by rbanner on Sep 5, 2010 9:54 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
you took the words right out of my mouth
rec’d
I'm going down with this ship. I may as well, I got nothin' better to do.
Because Sizemore has a higher offensive ceiling and was coming off an injury.
His bat has much promise.
Ryan Raburn antagonist.
Scott Sizemore liberationist.
+1
Deputy Editor, Bless You Boys
Free Scott Sizemore!
by David Tokarz on Sep 6, 2010 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions
maybe they're going to showcase him for
an off season trade?
I'm going down with this ship. I may as well, I got nothin' better to do.
Bah.
Sizemore has skills. All you naysayers best check yourselves.
Ryan Raburn antagonist.
Scott Sizemore liberationist.
I don't need to check it
I’ve seen it. Best to trade it…
I'm going down with this ship. I may as well, I got nothin' better to do.
I've seen enough to know
he’s unimpressive, and if he comes up here and does well or makes the 25 man roster out of spring training (and maintains .275) then I’ll take it all back. He’s average at best. I don’t think he’ll ever be much better than what he is right now.
I'm going down with this ship. I may as well, I got nothin' better to do.
Let's try this again
Scott Sizemore has had 117 plate appearances in the major leagues. He has a .205 average, with a .282 on base percentage, one homer, nine RBI, no steals, six doubles, and 13 walks.
A few years ago, a young infielder was drafted in the 20th round of the amateur player draft, and made his major league debut in a September call up. He hit only .167 with no homers or RBI, not even an extra base hit or a stolen base for the month. He started the next year, replacing a popular player for whom he had been traded, and he proceeded to hit just .198 in his first 100 plate appearances, with only two homers, just two walks, and six RBI.
But the team stuck with him despite the jeers of fans, and he managed to finish the season with a .271 avg, a modest .312 OBP, with 32 steals, 7 homers, and 54 RBI, and was voted rookie of the year.
16 years later, he retired with a .285 career average, 282 homers, over 1000 RBI, 344 steals, 10 all star appearances, nine gold gloves, seven silver slugger wards, and was inducted into the hall of fame. The Cubs were glad that they didn’t judge Ryne Sandberg on his first 117 plate appearances.
Another young infielder was called up one September, and in his first 48 plate appearances, he hit just .186 with no homers, no RBI, no extra base hits, no steals, just four BB’s, and an OBP of just .255. But the team stuck with him, and he retired some 20 years later as one of the greatest players in team history, with five gold gloves, four silver slugger awards, eight all star appearances, and a World Series MVP award. The Tigers are sure glad that they didn’t judge Alan Trammel based on the small sample of 48 plate appearances in one September.
Another young infielder was called up by the Cardinals in mid season, 1998. He logged just 122 plate appearances with a .254 average, a .292 on base percentage, one homer, 11 RBI, no steals, just five BB’s, and six extra base hits. Twelve years later, Placido Polanco has been an All Star, gold glove winner, and has a silver slugger award.
Just a few years ago, a young player was called up with the Tigers, and in his first season, he logged 152 plate appearances, hitting .278 with a .340 on base pct, seven extra base hits, eight stolen bases, and 13 walks. On top of that, he was thought to be a great fielder, making highlight reel type plays in Center field. Nook Logan’s run with the Tigers ended when he was sent to the Nationals for no consideration during the following season.
Beware of small samples
If you survived 2003, you can get through this!
by Tigerdog1 on Sep 5, 2010 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Give the guy a chance, DC. You can't tell anything from 117 plate appearances.
SS has shown the abilty to hit, hit for power, and play a decent infield through his pro career. We’re surely seeing the best of Will Rhymes right now. We’ve seen the best and worst of Brennan Boesch. Realistically, Leyland will have Guillen starting at 2B, with Santiago as at least one backup starting next spring. Rhymes, Sizemore, Wells, Boesch, and Cletus will all be fighting for few reserve jobs, and hoping to be the guy to get the call when the injury bug inevitably bites.
If you survived 2003, you can get through this!
by Tigerdog1 on Sep 5, 2010 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
This
Give the kid more than 150 PA’s before you make a judgment.
Deputy Editor, Bless You Boys
Free Scott Sizemore!
by David Tokarz on Sep 6, 2010 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions
so 33 more plate appearances
will make all the difference. ok.
I'm going down with this ship. I may as well, I got nothin' better to do.
I like Rhymes.
And I like Sizemore. I don’t like Carlos’s decline or injury prone nature.
Ryan Raburn antagonist.
Scott Sizemore liberationist.
we can certainly agree on that.
I am hoping that in the off season – or during spring training they release Carlos. We could use that spot on the roster.
I'm going down with this ship. I may as well, I got nothin' better to do.
I don't see that happening
Carlos has the last of DD’s “bad” contracts (ones that no other GM would take, even for free), and I think they’ll try to start him at 2B, and some DH, but with the comfort that they have some guys coming up that can handle the 2B position. He still hits well when he’s healthy, although his numbers are declining every season. When he is healthy, there’s nobody to be called up that makes better use of the roster spot, and when he’s on the DL, the roster spot opens up. Just one more season.
If you survived 2003, you can get through this!
I don't see it happening either
However, they’ve done things like this before. Let’s not forget Gary Sheffield. He was doing great in ST and then the axe dropped. If this organization sees promise it who they have to fill in at second, don’t think for a minute they won’t take advantage and free up a roster spot to fill another need. Carlos is so injury prone, they may feel its serves them better to rid the team of him and go with someone or something else.
I'm going down with this ship. I may as well, I got nothin' better to do.
Rec'd again
Deputy Editor, Bless You Boys
Free Scott Sizemore!
by David Tokarz on Sep 6, 2010 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Lest you wreck yourself.
Deputy Editor, Bless You Boys
Free Scott Sizemore!
by David Tokarz on Sep 6, 2010 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Of course I always want everyone in a Tiger uniform to do well
every time they take the field, and hope that helps the Big Club, but I like what we have in the infield at this time and wonder how a successful run by Sizemore will muddle things. I guess that’s a silly concern or, as they say, a good kind of problem. I guess I don’t see Rhymes as really the future despite his small sample good numbers and he probably has little trade value, so maybe Sizemore is the next long-term 2B but then what about Guillen next year? I think I’m rambling again and may have even contradicted myself, so …. Welcome back, Scotty. Shoot first and we’ll answer all the questions later.
Rooting for Tiger stripes, not pinstripes
Good call
Sizemore has a much bigger upside than Rhymes ever will, if he can adjust to the major leagues. He’s also worth a shot at shortstop. Why not? We don’t have one there now.
If you survived 2003, you can get through this!
Speaking of giving chances
MLB.com has an article about Jeff Larish getting a chance to play every day in Oakland.
If you survived 2003, you can get through this!
I have great respect for you Tigerdog1, but have you looked at what Will Rhymes has done? He’s a ballplayer so far. Also, no one mentions Brandon Douglas. If he got a chance at Toledo, instead of Max Leon, he might even be better than Sizemore. In view of all of this, I wouldn’t resign Guillen. Also, the AFL should include Wilk/Gagnier/Douglas/Weber/Simons. They better rest Sfrieby, Then exercise his wrist and limit batting practice and playing time to not ruin his wrist again. I love his potential, but recognize they’ve handled his wrist ALL wrong. In my opinion, the Tigers should avoid trades unless someone wants a Tiger like Granderson and Edwin Jackson. I would avoid ALL free agents. I would give all the pitchers mentioned above a chance vs. Bonderman. It all atarts with ? Sizemore and giving the kids a chance. Also, what is the reason for playing Damon vs. Raburn or Wells. Forget the RH vs. LH and play the best player. By the way, Damon is .195 RISP. Think of what the Tigers could save in $. Damon is BSing the whole team. Danny Worth will eventually be in the mix.
by StephenGrosberg on Sep 5, 2010 11:52 PM EDT reply actions
Not questioning what Rhymes has done, and it's very encouraging to see that he can hold his own.
Guillen has one year left on his contract for $ 13 million, and that’s really the last of the “bad” contracts that the Tigers will have on the books next year. I’m pretty sure that Leyland will give him most of the innings at 2B at least to start the season next year. There will be a competition for the last few roster spots, and all the AAA notables including Rhymes, Sizemore, Wells, Boesch, Thomas, and maybe more will be vying for jobs, but mostly on the bench.
I would hold one corner outfield spot for Boesch and keep Raburn and the other young outfielders on hand for insurance. That will leave vacancies at SS, 3B, Catcher, DH, and one corner OF spot. More importantly, though, three of those guys have to bat 2nd, 3rd, and 5th, sandwiching the best hitter in the league. The reason that the Tigers must get into the free agent market or make a trade for at least one big bat is because none of the guys in the system are remotely qualified, and may never be qualified, to fill those primo spots in the lineup. Magglio may return and take one of them and if he picks up where he left off, he’ll be a stud.
Andy Oliver is the closest pitcher, and he’s at least several months away. If a young pitcher can come up and take a job from Porcello or Galarraga, that’s great. If not, they’re not ready yet. Opportunities are there every season, and they’ll have to be ready. Oliver wasn’t ready this year. We need one more No. 2 or 3 starting pitcher, a bat to protect Cabrera, either Magglio or another bat to replace him, and a No. 2 hitter. None of that is in the organization presently. How the lineup is filled out after that is less important.
I’m not worried about Illitch saving money, and I don’t think he is either. $ 75 million is coming off the payroll after this season, so DD should not be held back by the bad contracts that he’s signed in the past.
If you survived 2003, you can get through this!
Dude
Douglas is a 25 year old tearing up AA. He’s waay behind in development, and while I think he can make the bigs, my guess is that he ends up as a utility guy.
Deputy Editor, Bless You Boys
Free Scott Sizemore!
by David Tokarz on Sep 6, 2010 12:42 AM EDT up reply actions
(Mostly) Good points by all.
We would not be in this position if we had not had a full season without Placido Polanco. Letting him go was the worst decision DD made this year, maybe in the last 10 years. My view is that Sizemore was annointed the 2nd base savior, and he had a huge role to fill. He wasn’t up to the job. That doesn’t mean he won’t be later. Austin Jackson’s role was even bigger, but he pulled it off. I think we should annoint Carlos as the DH and let Rhymes and Sizemore fight for the position next spring. If Mags comes back I say play him in RF and DH when Carlos gets injured. (We all know he will, probably by May 1st, just running the bases.)
I would like to see a good wish list of prospective free agents and reasons for trying to get them to sign with Detroit. I’m sure that will be coming up after the world series.
I still miss Placido Polanco.
Making a bit too much of the Polanco thing I think
Polanco: .743 OPS in the national league
Tigers’ 2nd basemen: .741 OPS.
Sure there’s some dropoff in defense, but Polanco’s defense was sliding anyway and even the Phillies moved him to third.
by Kurt Mensching on Sep 6, 2010 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions
To say that the Phillies moved him to third because of his defense
is very misleading.
Polanco playing third is irrelavant to his defense, he’s playing third because Chase Utley is at second, not because of his slipping defense.
ok, regardless of the Phillies his defense slipped
how’s that?
by Kurt Mensching on Sep 6, 2010 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Polanco led the majors at 2B in UZR in 2009.
And the Phillies had Utley at 2B, so they picked up Polanco to play 3B.
Polanco was not offered arbitration because DD could not, mathematically, bring back any of the departing free agents without increasing payroll even higher than it was in 2009, or without clearing some players off the payroll first. The decision was made within financial constraints, and DD decided that he needed the help in the bullpen more, considering Sizemore was on the way up, and the young guns in the pen were not ready for late inning duty.
I reject any suggestion that the decision to not offer arbitration to Polanco was purely a baseball decision. For that matter, I say the same thing about the Granderson trade. DD had no room to add the players that he needed, so he did the best he could do within the financial constraints that existed. He made the best of a bad situation, albeit one that was entirely his own doing.
If you survived 2003, you can get through this!
Polanco was replaced in the lineup by Damon. (OPS .743), but Damon's defense isn't contributing.
and OPS is a slugger’s statistic. What Polanco brought to the Tigers offensively isn’t measured by OPS, or SLG, or OBP. He was one of the best contact hitters in the game.
Defensively, there is no comparison between what Polanco did and what the 2B crew have done this season. We’ve practically gone from best to worst defensively at 2B.
All that being said, I’d have offered arbitration to Polanco and I’d have been happy if he accepted or declined. I would not have matched the three year offer that he got from Philly.
If you survived 2003, you can get through this!
The Polanco thing...
I was a Polanco fan while he was in Detroit. I think of him as a true professional ballplayer with steady hands, good bat control, and he seemed to be a good man in the clubhouse.
That being said, the Polanco situation was the most appropriate situation to promote from within that I’ve ever seen. Sizemore had really nothing left to prove in AAA and he had shown in the minors that he was a great candidate to fill in a full-time 2B role. If we don’t promote him, what does that say about our organization? We’re willing to spend 8-10M on the incumbent rather than trusting our proven home grown talent? Put that in conjunction with an aging Polanco having an expiring contract and you’ve got the perfect situation to promote Sizemore.
Granderson was my Tiger, then Sizemore, then Willis. Since they're all gone, I'm taking Raburn and hoping the pattern holds.
I don't get the uproar...
If Sizemore plays well, it gives the Tigers another solid MLB infielder. It’s a GOOD thing! This team has little depth, it’d be nice to have some in the middle of the infield.
Hopefully Rhymes and Sizemore bring out the best in each other, and give the Tigers food for thought in the coming off season.
I'm owner/editor of The Wayne Fontes Experience a deputy editor at Bless You Boys and co-host The Knee Jerks podcast.
Exactly what positions can Rhymes play competently?
If can get by at third, he makes a lot of sense as a backup 3B/2B to complement Santiago next year, as well as being the guy to step in if Sizemore doesn’t start hitting by June. At this point, I really can’t fathom Sizemore not being the opening day 2B next year.
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