Da Meat Hook Could Use Less Meat

by Ian Casselberry on Mar 13, 2007 7:30 AM EDT in News Comment 4 comments

It looks like our old friend Dmitri Young is having a bit of trouble down at the Nationals' spring training complex in Vero Beach.

In yesterday's Washington Post, Barry Svrluga wrote about the fierce competition for the reserve first baseman job, and it seems that Da Meat Hook currently finds himself in third place behind Larry Broadway and Travis Lee. What's keeping D.Y. down? A little extra luggage.

"And down on the back fields of the Nationals' complex in Viera is Dmitri Young, the veteran switch-hitter who was signed to a minor league deal early in camp but must lose some more weight before he will be permitted to play in a major league game."

However, it appears that Young will be given every chance to shed that weight and win the back-up gig at first base. While Broadway and Lee are acknowledged as superior defenders, manager Manny Acta wants some offense from that position, and of the three candidates, there's really only one who has a proven record of success with the bat.

Keep on sweatin' it off, D.Y. Jim Bowden needs you to make him look good.

In a somewhat hilarious aside, Svrluga followed up on the article in his spring training blog. Apparently, there was one reader who didn't quite like how Svrluga sized up the competition. And look, it's another former Tiger!

"So this morning, I was greeted in the clubhouse by a sarcastic, 'Hey, Barry. Nice article.'

Robert Fick.

So I hadn't mentioned Fick as a contender to start at first base. He appears to be playing first today. He has, in fact, played it sporadically throughout the spring. I fully expect Fick to make the team, in large part because of his versatility, and the club is likely to keep Rule 5 catcher Jesus Flores, which means Fick could serve as a more experienced third catcher.

So count Fick in that mix, please. At least for my sake."

Love that Svrluga!

** One more quick thought: Is there any chance the Tigers might be able to talk Bowden into taking Neifi Perez off their hands? Federal Baseball breaks down the Nats' current depth chart, and I think Neifi could fit in quite nicely. Hey, if Lynn Henning can start trade rumors, can't we do it, too?

What's that? Leyland will keep Neifi because he bats left-handed? ¡Que lastima!

0 recs | Comment 4 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

not that st louis would want neifi perez

at least, i would hope they don't want him . . . but the cardinals do have a surplus of left-handed relievers, and judging from henning's article the tigers might still need one. st louis would probably prefer to move ricardo rincon, who's the most expensive and the oldest of their LOOGYs.

henning also says the tigers are looking for a left-handed hitting outfielder, and the cardinals have extras there too --- john rodriguez being the prime candidate.

and henning says marcus thames is the trade bait. it was reported in print that the cards expressed interest in thames over the winter . . . .

d'you think this could be a fit?

http://www.vivaelbirdos.com

by lboros on Mar 13, 2007 2:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rincon would be interesting...

Seeing that the Tigers organization seems to like veteran guys out of the pen to mix in with the guys like Zumaya, Ledezma and Grilli (gulp) - guys like Jose Mesa and Todd Jones are going to be playing key roles in relief this season.

I don't recall why Rincon only appeared in 5 games in 2006, though? Was it injury? Something that would cause concern for a pitcher who is about to turn 37 years old?

Rodriguez would be a good option as well - .298/.378/.434 over 158 games in St. Louis - not too bad for a 28 year old left-handed OF.

This deal would make sense for both parties, as long as Rincon could be guaranteed good to go and there were no nagging injury problems.

by FLATigersFan on Mar 13, 2007 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If I were Dave Dombrowski...

I'd probably make either deal.

However, that's a lot of surgery Rincon had to recover from. Not only did the dude need a torn labrum and rotator cuff repaired, but he also had Tommy John surgery. What are the chances he's ready in 2007?

Of course, there would still be the benefit of getting rid of Neifi...

If healthy, I think Rincon would help the Tigers more than Rodriguez (though I think he'd be a great reserve outfielder).

Ian

by Ian Casselberry on Mar 14, 2007 7:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs