According to ESPN, Cabrera says he is prepared to play third for the Tigers:
"It was something we were talking (about at the Tigers') fan fest (last week). Return to third base, that is my natural position," Cabrera told Lider en Deportes. "Fielder's arrival will benefit us."
Also, BYB posted this picture of Cabby earlier today:
Not lookin' too bad. Maybe he's decided to take conditioning seriously?
Fielding (and Fielder)
That's great and all, but
That's great and all, but really not necessary until 2013. Cabby and Prince can share 1B/DH this year.
Note: I just remembered interleague play. Miggy should probably start practicing and conditioning for going back for at least those games.
"The trouble with quotes on the internet, is that it is often difficult to discern whether or not they are genuine" --Abraham Lincoln
Porcello is crying
Whatcha gonna do, little brother?
Why? Leyland can, and will,
Why? Leyland can, and will, work matchups so Fielder can DH, Cabrera can play 1st and someone else can play 3b when Porcello is pitching. But when Justin is pitching, do you really need a lot of range in the infield?
Are you a park ranger at Yellowstone? Say hi to Yogi Bear for me. - the_big_house 500th
I may not be a 70 year old man. - Herm
What they gain in runs scored they're going to lose in runs allowed from crummy defense.
If you need drugs to be a good writer, you're not a good writer.
-Rod Serling
Good thing they have stellar
Good thing they have stellar pitching then, negative Nancy
Inge
In my estimation, swapping in Fielder for Cabrera at 1B is net neutral or at worse slightly negative but swapping Cabrera for Inge at 3B is a huge net positive. Cabrera is a pretty good Fielder though he certainly doesn't have the range of Inge. What he lacks in range he makes up for times ten by batting .100 better...with power.
Like Inge with power
Worst Fred Jackson impression ever
Whatcha gonna do, little brother?
OPS
The only stat that matters in on base percentage. Didn't you see Moneyball? /s
Try .150 better, and that was
Try .150 better, and that was due to a late season run by Inge.
"Michigan Defense" is dominating everything, in every aspect of life. That's a rough definition.
-Craig Roh 10/29/2011
He had 5 errors in the last
He had 5 errors in the last 13 games he started at 3rd. I hope that gets better.
Go Blue
Yeah
And that was also four years ago when Miguel wasn't in the best of shape. I'd say he's in better shape now and actually played a halfway decent first base over the past two seasons.
And really, he can't be worse than Betemit was at 3rd.
"The difference between a man and a boy is, a boy wants to grow up to be a fireman, but a man wants to grow up to be a giant monster fireman."
- Jack Handey
Not A Bad Idea...
If Illitch is willing to pony up a little more, we could possibly get a shortstop with decent range (even one with a relatively microscopic BA, because you have a lineup where you can hide this) and make up for the sacrifice in range with Cabrera at 3B, and that lets you move Peralta to 2B potentially. I like the idea of having him available to play there, at the very least.
The larger point is that acquiring Fielder and, for the time being, still having Martinez in 2013 has given them options, of if nothing else, a year to resolve other things and do so well, if they choose. Clearly, they're willing to go Yankees on baseball, something that I think many people probably didn't expect from Illitch, and I like that.
"Funny isn't it, how naughty dentists always make that one fatal mistake."
Follow the random tweets of a Michigan alum - http://twitter.com/#!/LorneEC3
Not the Yankees yet
I don't know that i'd say Ilitch went Yankees. There was, iirc, $23M coming off the payroll with the departures of Ordonez and Guillen. (There may have been more shed from old contracts too.) They gave Valverde and probably Young moderate raises in arbitration.
There was always the assumption that they'd spend. With no outstanding 3B FA's out there that were no brainers, the conventional wisdom was that they'd probably spend on a veteran starter with a short contract. The Tigers will probably end up fielding this team for roughly the same payroll as last year's team which was, iirc, somewhere around the 8th highest. Less than the White Sox.
Peralta really likes SS, though i agree with you and would simply play Santiago as the everyday SS and Peralta at 2B. Ramon's a fine ball player with excellent defensive skills.
To your point
In 2008 I saw Cabrera a few times in street clothes and it was obvious that
To finish my post
Cabrera looked a lot less fat and bloated in street clothes than his uni. Apologies for accidentally hitting the button.
That is Hanley next to
That is Hanley next to Cabrera, btw. Hanley is a big dude, but Cabrera's arms are just huge.
Are you a park ranger at Yellowstone? Say hi to Yogi Bear for me. - the_big_house 500th
I may not be a 70 year old man. - Herm
I am drawing a blank on
I am drawing a blank on where I read this but the article was reporting that career wise Inge has a 960 fielding percentage at third and Cabby has a 951. So while it is a drop off it is not huge. Inge also has a a lot more games at third than Cabby so you have to factor that in.
Just do it!
Defensive ability
Defensive ability should not be judged by fielding percentage alone. Also, most of Cabrera's 3B opportunities were long ago, when he was much different physically.
"I'm here with my friend, the zombie, Johnathon. Michigan is in the Final Four for the first time in 20 years, what do you think?"
"I like turtles."
Your right fielding
Your right fielding percentage is not the entire picture. But it is part of it. While Cabrera is bigger and that's a major concern he has been improving his defence at first. The one big problem with him at first base has been him trying to range to far from the base and not being able to cover the bag. Hopefully he can turn this into a asset at third where he wont be responsable for covering the bag as at first.
Just do it!
Something about sample size,
Something about sample size, etc.
Miggy
made some really big stops at first this year. This was the first year in a long time I watched a lot of Tigers game's and I remember him being really agile for a big man. Some people were suggesting we put Inge over at SS - I'm not totally opposed but his bat is horrendous. Personally, I'm excited for this year - but REALLY juiced for 2013 - get V mart back in the lineup and maybe add someone strong up at the top of the order? Whooooaaa nellie!
"Touchdown... No flags!!"
Founder and current Commisioner of the ITGPD - Internet Tough Guy Police Department, est. 2012
Some people are also stupid
Where do you put Peralta if Inge would play SS? Inge can have a nice spot on the bench and have fun with the 5mil or whatever number it is.
Actually,
the same guy who recommended to play Inge at SS suggested Peralta move over to 2nd.
Not saying I agree with it 100% - but - it's a thought.
"Touchdown... No flags!!"
Founder and current Commisioner of the ITGPD - Internet Tough Guy Police Department, est. 2012
Why not just play Inge at
Why not just play Inge at second base? Peralta's range is not stellar, but he handles most everything inside of it, so I'm not upset with his fielding. Inge's athleticism would be better than Peralta's for turning DPs, and his hitting can't be worse than Raburn's April/May offerings.
"We've beaten Michigan the last four years. So where's the threat?"
- Mark Dantonio
Blogging the Virginia Cavaliers at http://fromoldvirginia.blogspot.com/<
Ding, Ding, Ding
winner-winner-chicken-dinner.
moving inge to 2nd would be the smartest move. i know he can't hit his way out of a papper bag, but he came through in the playoffs, again. besides the skipper will probably be having inge on sunday day games following sat night games to give avila a rest.
what is the before/after on when irrational fan calls-in, emails, posts to have the skipper fired because the tigers are not in 1st or when they have their first losing streak?
that state south-east of Meechigan should be leveled and turned into a parking lot.
Moving Inge to the mud hens
Moving Inge to the mud hens would be the smartest move.
Are you a park ranger at Yellowstone? Say hi to Yogi Bear for me. - the_big_house 500th
I may not be a 70 year old man. - Herm
Never mind Inge
I like the guy and all, but i'd play Santiago every day at either SS or 2B and spell him with Inge. Switch hitter, decent power and an excellent defensive ball player. Tigers management worries that he can't handle everday play without a drop-off at the plate, but they've never tried it.
Miggy
made some really big stops at first this year. This was the first year in a long time I watched a lot of Tigers game's and I remember him being really agile for a big man. Some people were suggesting we put Inge over at SS - I'm not totally opposed but his bat is horrendous. Personally, I'm excited for this year - but REALLY juiced for 2013 - get V mart back in the lineup and maybe add someone strong up at the top of the order? Whooooaaa nellie!
(Gah, stupid internet explorer at work - sorry for double post)
"Touchdown... No flags!!"
Founder and current Commisioner of the ITGPD - Internet Tough Guy Police Department, est. 2012
he looks
suprisingly sober
The issue is range. Cabrera
The issue is range. Cabrera is fine for first because at first you aren't asked to do much. People who think 3rd is similar need to go pick up a mit, try playing the game, and drop the fantasy teams. It is going to be epically bad down there and just know that other teams are laughing at the notion Cabrera will play third regularly. He won't. Bank on that.
"because character wins in life and character wins on the football field....." 1-11-11
Your right the only things
Your right the only things that first and third have in common is they are on the corners. But Cabrera has played there not amazingly but played. If you don't put him at third what is your solution to the log jam at dh?
Just do it!
Laughing
I doubt they are laughing, but thanks for the Negative Nancy report.
"The difference between a man and a boy is, a boy wants to grow up to be a fireman, but a man wants to grow up to be a giant monster fireman."
- Jack Handey
I think it is likely that
I think it is likely that Victor Martinez plays a little 3b as well.
posted from iPhone
Victor tore his acl.
Why?
Not sure why this would be likely. He has never played a lick of 3B during his career. At least Miggy has some experience over there.
"I'm here with my friend, the zombie, Johnathon. Michigan is in the Final Four for the first time in 20 years, what do you think?"
"I like turtles."
I wouldn't be surprised if
I wouldn't be surprised if VMart plays third because I think Cabby is just too damn big too play the hot corner. I don't like the idea of either of them at 3rd, but I suspect Victor might be as capable as Miggy.
Based on what?
Martinez has never played 3rd(!!!). Older players that have never played a position before usually don't work out when switching positions.
Joe Torre moved from catcher
Joe Torre moved from catcher to third when traded to the Cards at age 29 and a few years later won a batting title with a .363 ave. I am not saying it is ideal. I think it is worth considering.
posted from iPhone
Victor will not play 3B. Fielder was signed with the promise he will be the primary 1st baseman. So at this moment, MC will play 3B, PF will play 1B, and VM will be the primary DH in 2013. That's just the way it is
"Dream Big, Work Hard"
An
An aging vet who just tore his ACL and has never played anywhere besides first base/catcher is about the last guy I am putting at third base. At least Cabrera has youth, health and experience on his side.
See Joe Torre and others for
See Joe Torre and others for precedent. Have you seen Cabrera? He probably weighs 270, I don't see him as any more feasible at third than Martinez. Both ideas are probably a pipe dream.
Have YOU seen Cabrera? If
Have YOU seen Cabrera? If not, there is a picture of him on the top of the thread. He has lost a lot of weight this off season. Kevin Youkilis isn't the most slender guy out there and his weight is comparable to Cabrera's, if you consider the fact that Cabrera has ~4 inches of height on Youkilis.
Cabrera was asked about playing third before Fielder was signed and agreed to it, according to reports. This isn't a pipe dream gordie bell.
Are you a park ranger at Yellowstone? Say hi to Yogi Bear for me. - the_big_house 500th
I may not be a 70 year old man. - Herm
I am a doubting Thomas. I
I am a doubting Thomas. I will believe Cabrera is a long term solution at third when he is in fact a long term solution at third. Cabrera has an ASS that rivals Mattison and Hoke, would you want Mattison or Hoke playing 3b for you? Didn't think so.
That's just
dumb.
that state south-east of Meechigan should be leveled and turned into a parking lot.
Doesn't seem like a good idea
to put an old player at a position he's never played before.
I was actually thinking why
I was actually thinking why not try VMart at first when he's back and let Fielder DH with Miggy at 3rd? That's assuming he's still good at third and VMart can play first, but that's generally where catchers go at the end of their careers. Fielder should not be in the field. Which brings up another point- If Fielder ends up being a DH, he has 4-5 at bats a game, and thus is making 200 mil to essentially do 10 minutes of work a day (maybe less than 5 some days) for the next 9 years... wow.
"Michigan Defense" is dominating everything, in every aspect of life. That's a rough definition.
-Craig Roh 10/29/2011
Advanced defensive metrics
aren't really the best but they do put Prince and Cabby pretty much equal at first FWIW
apparently
Apparently noone on here saw moneyball. It doesn't matter how they field. Just ask Scott Hatteberg.......
Moneyball is a book first, a
Moneyball is a book first, a movie second... and it is clear that you didn't read it or have any idea what you are talking about.
Are you a park ranger at Yellowstone? Say hi to Yogi Bear for me. - the_big_house 500th
I may not be a 70 year old man. - Herm
We better score a lotta runs.