Detroit Tigers Playoff Roster Decisions: Omir Santos

We kicked this off with 22 likely "locks" on the Tigers' playoff roster yesterday. (Honestly, I think you could go with 23, but that would cut down on the number of posts I could milk this for so I won't.)This series will continue throughout the week. Next up: the backup catcher question

Some people contend the Tigers need a backup catcher for Alex Avila in case of emergency. Others believe that there are several emergency catchers available to Detroit already on the roster, making the need all but non-existent. In the spirit of debate, I thought we could talk about Omir Santos' chances of being added to the playoff roster.

Before you ask, he could be added to the playoff roster as a replacement for a player on the disabled list. So even if we cede one of those positions to Andy Dirks, there is room enough for Santos too.

I'm not even going to bother looking at his batting numbers, although he apparently had an in-the-park grand slam while he played for the Mets a few years ago. He'd be on the playoff roster solely for an emergency.

Reasons Santos would make the roster

• Emergency catcher
• The other position players competing for a spot on the roster do not add any unique skills the Tigers need
• He bunted in the photo I used

Reasons Santos wouldn't make the roster.

Allow me to quote MomoTigers from another thread:

1 – There are enough travel days built in so that Avila will never, repeat, never see "time off to rest" in the playoffs.

2 – In the event that Avila were injured mid-game, refer to my subject. Leyland has been quoted saying that Martinez could catch if needed. So could Don Kelly for that matter if we’re only talking an inning or two. Further, in the event of injury, a player could be added to the roster (Omir Santos). So, an injury isn’t really all that big of a risk at all.

Summation: There's no need and he takes up a spot that could be used by a Tiger with skills that could actually play.

So what's my take? I don't think he makes it.