December 7th, 2009 at 5:28 PM ^
I'm not an expert but I do watch nearly every Tigers game all year and I don't know what anybody sees in Everett. I would go with Santiago, I think he is a lot better fielder, and is decent with the bat. Runs bases better as well.
December 7th, 2009 at 6:15 PM ^
While Santiago does swing a better bat, Everett is by FAR the better fielder. They're both around 30 and not getting any younger - I have no problem with this move.
December 7th, 2009 at 6:21 PM ^
Just to back this up with some numbers:
Everett last season posted a 13.6 UZR/150, which was the 3rd best of all SS in MLB.
Santiago had a -6.4 UZR/150.
UZR/150 (ultimate zone rate per 150 games): The number of runs above or below average a fielder is, per 150 defensive games.
December 7th, 2009 at 7:09 PM ^
No way Everett is a better fielder than Santiago. I'm not saying Santiago is great, but Everett was bad for someone who has only 1 function on the team and that is his fielding. Just wondering, How did you feel about Edgar Renteria's fielding a couple years ago? I thought he was equally as bad as Everett.
December 7th, 2009 at 7:56 PM ^
Read my reply to myself in which I have stats to back it up. I don't go by "feel" to see how good a fielder is. I go to UZR.
Just one example - if someone has poor range (cough Jeter), they'll make some above-average difficulty plays looks ridiculous, while a player with great range and reflexes makes it look easy. UZR is a a stat that quantifies how good a player's defense is compared to the "average" player.
It's hard to determine if a player is a good fielder or not just by watching games and going with "feel". That's why they came up with UZR.
As for Renteria, he was pretty poor with a -0.8 UZR/150.
December 7th, 2009 at 5:34 PM ^
Everett had some ABs last season that made me wonder if he had ever swung a bat in his life. Specifically I recall an AB late in the season with the go-ahead run on 3rd with 1 gone, and he proceeds to swing at 3 straight pitches in the dirt. Seriously?
December 7th, 2009 at 5:52 PM ^
I don't like Everett either, but I'm glad DD didn't waste money n get Marco Scutaro after just 1 good year. I love the Tigers, but I feel like they'll have trouble competing until the money they have invested in Bondo, Robertson, and Dontrelle is freed up.
December 7th, 2009 at 5:57 PM ^
about DD wasting money, he has already wasted about 70 million in players that don't even play.
December 7th, 2009 at 7:13 PM ^
So when you sign a player to a long term deal, do you just ask your magic eight ball if they are going to get hurt?
December 7th, 2009 at 7:03 PM ^
Agree with MH20. Some of Everett's swings were just wack. Didn't they just sign Crosby at SS?
December 8th, 2009 at 8:53 AM ^
I think Everett will move over to 2B to fill the gaping hole left by Polanco's signing with the Phillies. For a team that scored so few runs per game, I'm shocked they let Polanco (arguably their most consistent hitter) go. Oh well, that's why DD gets paid the big bucks and I don't.
December 7th, 2009 at 7:04 PM ^
Signed everett to a very good deal, 1.55 million for one year. He's a cheap player, am excellent fielder, and fills a big hole. I'd like a SS who can hit, but they can't afford one.
Traded Rapada to Rangers for a PTBNL, or cash. Meh...noone really cares either way...
They also signed a lefty, Brad Thomas, out of the Korean or Japanese league. He's interesting, came up with twins in 01, so knapp might be familiar with him, won a ring with the BoSox. What I've heard is fastball that sits around 91, touches 95ish, wicked slider in the low eighties. So decent stuff, I assume he has command or injury problems due to his absence from the majors since like 06.
Overall, not a bad day. Rumor is a lot if interest in E-jack, 12 teams, so more news might come soon.
December 7th, 2009 at 7:05 PM ^
i'd rather go with everett over santiago, but regardless, we were going to sign someone, and our only other option was bobby crosby...
do yourselves a favor and dont invest too much into this season. once maggs, bondo, d-train and nate come off the books (like 60+ million), we're going to be able to spend a little next season.
December 7th, 2009 at 7:54 PM ^
The real issue here is that Tigers' ownership is going cheap, which is understandable, but does not bode well.