Multiple Tiger Lineup and Roster Proposals

by trross1200 on May 2, 2011 2:39 PM EDT

I realize that this comes on the heals of a six game losing streak (and more embarrassingly two consecutive sweeps at the hands of the Indians and the Mariners), but I think that DD and JL will have to make some relatively drastic changes to the Tigers' lineup and roster once VMart returns from the DL later this week. While I don't foresee Cleveland maintaining their lead in the Central through September, I see the Tigers trending in a negative fashion in several areas, and these changes may force some positive results.

Below I propose six roster/lineup/batting order changings that DD and JL should implement... one for each of the six straight losses.

1) Change the batting order. Put Miggy in the #3 hole, VMart in the #4 spot, and plug in Boesch at #5. I know that JL wants to remain loyal to veterans (and Magglio in particular), but the Tigers are through 20% of the season, and Maggs is batting .159 and slugging .174. Which brings me to #2...

2) Put Magglio on the DL. Tell everyone that his ankle is sore, and send him to Toledo to hit the in DH spot for two weeks. He presumably needs ABs to solve his hitting woes, and he will continue to kill the Tigers if he tries to solve those issues in Detroit... particularly in the #3 spot.

3) Call up Scott Sizemore. Sizemore is RAKING in Toledo. With Magglio on the DL, Boesch can man right field, Raburn can go back to left field, and Sizemore can man second base.

4) The bullpen. Al^2 is now the setup man, with the Potato still in the closer role. The Tigers are paying Benoit $16 million over the next three years, so while he isn't going to change locations anytime soon, but his role needs to change until his mechanics or other issue(s) is/are resolved.

5) Change the batting order again. Slide Alex Avila into the #2 spot. He's a lefty, which JL prefers in the second spot, and he's crushing the ball. JL needs to take off the gloves and stop protecting him by burying him in the #8 spot and see if he can perform in a more critical spot (in front of Miggy). If proposal #1 and proposal #5 are implemented, then the batting order might look something like this: (1) Jackson, (2) Avila (3) Cabrera, (4) Martinez, (5) Boesch, (6) Raburn, (7) Inge, (8) Peralta, (9) Sizemore

6) DFA the Wanker. Bring up either Furbush or Oliver to take his roster spot. JL still has multiple lefties in the bullpen, and the Tigers have another live arm that can get a critical strikeout late in the game. I may be wrong, but I don't think either of these promotions would stunt the long term growth of either prospect.

There may be others in Toledo that can help the Tigers now, but I don't see where there is an obvious strength in Toledo that corresponds to an obvious weakness in Detroit. I'm in the middle of an International Relations class, but this was bothering me enough that I wanted to gather it and post it for your thoughts and comments.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Bless You Boys writing staff.

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Comments

No onewnt to comment on how close these predictions have been? Okay then, I will...

(1) Pretty close. Instead of sliding Miggy into the #3 slot, JL is putting Boesch there. Regardless, the goal is achieved in getting someone on base in front of Miggy while also offering protection behind him.

(2) They are sliding him from the #3 spot to #6, so maybe I was half correct. I still think Maggs is going to find himself on the DL before too long due to ankle soreness.

(3) Free Scott Sizemore? Done.

(4) We’ll see.

(5) We’ll see, but I guess that Alex Avila won’t be a candidate for the #2 spot if Sizemore continues to RAKE in Detroit.

(6) Still waiting for the Wanker’s release…

"All aboard! There is plenty of room."
Brennan Boesch Bandwagon Conductor

by trross1200 on May 4, 2011 5:04 PM EDT reply actions

I guess having Avila in the #2 spot isn't as critical as the other recommendations since:

1) Boesch in the #3 spot means that JL would have back to back lefties, which I’m assuming he’d like to avoid since they are in limited number

and

2) If the Cleaner can’t get on base at a better rate, then there won’t be that hole between first and second for the #2 hitter to take advantage of

"All aboard! There is plenty of room."
Brennan Boesch Bandwagon Conductor

by trross1200 on May 5, 2011 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Hey I like all your Idea's

How about hanging JL over a balcony like Suge Knight did to V-ice and tell him he better start to produce!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by msivits on May 4, 2011 6:53 PM EDT reply actions

I do believe

That Wanker is a British thing and not an Aussie thing.

by wilsonm24 on May 5, 2011 12:43 PM EDT reply actions

I beg to differ. From Wikipedia:

Wanker is a pejorative term of English origin, common in Commonwealth and ex-Commonwealth countries, including Britain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa. It initially referred to an onanist but has since become a general insult. It is synonymous with tosser.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wanker

"All aboard! There is plenty of room."
Brennan Boesch Bandwagon Conductor

by trross1200 on May 5, 2011 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Well if you continue to read the completely unreliable source that is Wikipedia on this matter...

Unless you think that Brad Thomas is egotistical and self-indulgent then the Australian use of this slang word wouldn’t be appropriate (“One connotation, implying egotistical and self-indulgent behaviour , is the dominant meaning in Australia and New Zealand”). The British definition “In modern usage it is usually a general insult. It conveys contempt, not commentary on sexual habits” would more accurately display the impression you were trying to convey.

I stand by my statement.

by wilsonm24 on May 6, 2011 8:05 AM EDT up reply actions