Detroit Tigers Links: Quintin Berry's role & Joe Maddon's improvisation

Quintin Berry is not an everyday player, firing Jim Leyland is not the answer to the Tigers problems, and Joe Maddon is good at everything ... even improvising when bullpen phone glitches happen. These stories and more in today's Morning Prowl.

Tigers links

Despite MLB's new spending restrictions, Tigers pleased with 2012 draft haul -- The Detroit News, Lynn Henning
"Other than having no first-round pick and being saddled with a budget that was closer to a pair of handcuffs ($2.1 million on first nine picks), the Tigers couldn't have been more thrilled as the draft convened."

Center-field superstars: Generation Next -- SweetSpot Blog, David Schoenfield
Austin Jackson is mentioned in this list of center fielders who are having tremendous seasons.

Quintin Berry Is Not An Everyday Player, So Stop Trying To Make Him One -- Walkoff Woodward, Grey Papke
While I mostly agree with this, the idea that he could be is not the craziest thing in the world, like most seem to make it out to be. His speed in the outfield paired with Jackson in the top of the order is much needed.

Poor Defense, Lack of Homers Killing Tigers -- Tiger Tales, Lee Panas
That's funny. My list of things killing the Tigers is much longer.

Sparky Anderson Says Goodbye To The Hall Of Fame -- Motor City Bengals, J. Ellet Lambie
"And with that he pulled the door shut, the driver let off the brake and drove George Anderson away. That was goodbye, in his own way. If ever there were a baseball version of riding off into the sunset, this was that."

Firing Leyland might give frustrated fans their pound of flesh, but it's not an answer to all of Tigers' problems -- theoaklandpress.com, Matthew B. Mowery
I don't think anyone will ever win this argument. Leyland haters will forever want him fired. Leyland apologists won't. End of story.

Around the AL Central:

Game 59: Indians 4, Cardinals 1 -- Let's Go Tribe
"Jason Kipnis hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning to break a 1-1 tie, and the Indians went on to beat the Cardinals 4-1. A recap of the action."

Astros 11, White Sox 9: Astros play home run derby with Humber -- South Side Sox
"Astros 11, White Sox 9: Astros play home run derby with Humber."

Cubs 8, Twins 2: Big Inning Haunts Liriano, Offense Too Little Too Late -- Twinkie Town
"Twins drop finale but still win their fourth series in a row."

Royals Streak at Four Losses After Dull Loss to Pirates -- Royals Review
"The Pirates completed their sweep. A.J. Burnett dominated the Royals. The offense was completely listless for essentially two-thirds of the game. The defense was predictably sloppy. The Royals feebly attempted to rally from a three-run deficit but came up a run short. This is Kansas City baseball." You could insert Detroit Tigers in there too, and it would still work.

Philip Humber, April’s Mr. Perfect, could soon be bullpen bound -- HardballTalk, Matthew Pouliot
"Philip Humber's rotation spot will likely be up for grabs with one more bad outing."

Mike Moustakas misses first base, settles for very long, very strange single -- Big League Stew, Mark Townsend
Derps all the way around.

Elsewhere in baseball:

R.A. Dickey and Pitchers Who Don't Succeed Until Their Mid-30's -- Baseball Nation, Wendy Thurm
"New York Mets starting pitcher R.A. Dickey is anything but an overnight sensation. At age 37, he's pitching the finest season of his career. We take a look at other starting pitchers who didn't..."

Amid bullpen phone glitch at Marlins Park, Rays manager Joe Maddon improvises -- MLB.com, Bill Chastain
This made me chuckle.