As the Tigers prepare for the 2011 season, there are five main position battles Mud Hen fans should watch during spring training. As pitchers and catchers report this week, and with the position players trickling in as well, we’ll look at five roster position battles. We'll sort out the contestants and predict what might happen for the Tigers AND the Mud Hens.
THE POSITION: The final infield spot.
THE CONTESTANTS: Let’s set the parameters: first, I'm going with the assumption that there are no injuries that keep Brandon Inge from playing third, Jhonny Peralta from shortstop and Miguel Cabrera from first base (UPDATE: I also assume that Cabrera's new legal trouble won't keep him from playing). Second, let’s go with the assumption that Carlos Guillen is not healthy and begins the season on the disabled list. No facts support this thought; just a hunch. Plus, in the interest of full disclosure, it makes this analysis more interesting. Third, I’m going to operate under the assumption that two infield back-ups make the roster. Why? Detroit manager Jim Leyland has said he’ll only carry two catchers. With that all said … Ramon Santiago isn’t a lock, but he’s a heavy favorite. He hit .263 last season and .267 the year before, more than acceptable when you consider his defense. … Don Kelly is also a leading front-runner for a roster spot. The key for Kelly is versatility, as he can play every position in the infield and outfield and will learn to be an emergency catcher this spring. … If Guillen is out, my gut feeling is that Scott Sizemore will get that job. That would leave Will Rhymes as a candidate to fill the back-up role as well.
THE WILD CARD: Just as he had an outside shot to claim the second base job, Danny Worth has a chance to fill this role as well. But I like his chances to fill this role better than I do his chances to win the second base job. Worth is versatile, having played second, short and third last season. If he hits as he did last season (.255 with two homers and eight RBIs in 39 games), he’s a perfectly acceptable stop-gap.
THE PROBABLE OUTCOME FOR DETROIT: In short, I think both Santiago and Kelly are going to have to struggle to not get the job. But watch for Worth: if he hits again this spring, I predict he’ll give Santiago and/or Kelly a challenge. If it’s even, Santiago and Kelly get the jobs. Why? Because Worth only hits right-handed (Santiago switches and Kelly hits lefty); with the preponderance of right-handed hitters in the Tigers’ lineup, both give Leyland a chance to balance the lineup, particularly against tough right-handed pitchers.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR THE MUD HENS: If Rhymes comes to Toledo, he plays second most days to stay sharp in case Sizemore struggles. If Worth comes to Toledo, he is added to a glut of shortstops here that could include Argenis Diaz and Cale Iorg. Worth also could see time at third base to stay sharp there. The good news for Toledo is that Rhymes and Worth are very good Triple-A players, based on their performances last season.
FOR MORE: Click on this link to read Part 1: Second base, which was published on Monday; Click on this link to read Part 2: left field, which was published on Tuesday; Click on this link to read Part 3: the bullpen, which was published on Wednesday.