2008 Preview - Infielders

This will be the first of a few 2008 preview posts organized by positional groups with grades for what I expect out of them this year. The grades are based on what they did last year and my gut feeling of their team impact in 2008. I plan on similar posts for outfielders, starting pitching, and bullpen. Stay tuned.


Catchers: Pudge Rodriguez, Vance Wilson, Brandon Inge
Grade: B

In my opinion, Pudge Rodriguez coming to Detroit has been the most important addition of any Tiger in my lifetime. He's changed the losing culture to one that is a blue-collar, win-at-all-costs, championship-level. Now, he may not be the same player that he was when he won a World Series in Florida, but he is still our rotation's leader in the field and a verifiable threat at the plate. His batting average may have dropped 19 points last year, but what team in baseball has a better 8-hitter than Pudge? His years are running out, but there's only a handful of catchers in the league I'd take over him for this season.

Vance Wilson missed all of 2007 after undergoing elbow surgery. If healthy, Wilson is a guy that the Tigers can count on for around 60 games, 150 at-bats with a little bit of power, and some decent defense behind the plate. He won't amaze you, but if he can get through games without us noticing him, that's probably a good thing.

That's right, Brandon Inge is back behind the plate in Lakeland at Spring Training 2008. And he's not too happy about it. I would love to see Inge stay in Detroit as our utility man, but I feel the trade winds a-blowin'. More on Inge in a moment.

First Basemen: Carlos Guillen, Marcus Thames, Mike Hessman
Grade: B+

One of the biggest storylines at the beginning of this offseason was the announcement that Carlos Guillen would be moving to first base full time. I love it, I love it, I love it. His defense at short had slipped to hair pulling depths, playing first will be easier on his knees extending his career, and keeping that .300 - 20 homer - 100 RBI bat healthy is crucial to our lineup. The downfall is that Sean Casey was a fantastic glove at first and his charismatic self will be missed in Detroit. But that's it. Enjoy the Mayor Boston, we'll be OK.

Marcus Thames has fallen into a spot where he has not been able to play himself into a starting role. I'm not a big fan of his defense at first or in the outfield, but I do love the fact that he hit 18 dingers in only 86 at bats last year. He's a nice fill-in to rest a guy and he's a top notch pinch hitter. That's what he should be, and that's where he is.

When Mike Hessman started a few games for Detroit last year, I had no clue who he was or where he came from. After watching him, he kind of reminded me of a right handed Matt Stairs. He's not a great talent, but he swings the bat hard. Real hard. And for that, I liked him. I'm rooting for him to get another chance this year.

Second Basemen: Placido Polanco, Ryan Raburn
Grade: A-

I don't know how there could possibly be a more underrated player in baseball than Placido Polanco. I mean who plays 144 consecutive games without an error, bats .341, and is rarely talked about as one of baseball's best? He's the perfect 2-hitter, rarely striking out, laying down great bunts when needed, and has enough speed to play a great hit-and-run game on the basepaths. There's a reason Detroit fell apart down the stretch in 2006. Polanco was hurt. He's absolutely vital to our success.

If, disastrously, Polanco gets hurt this year, the most likely replacement would be Ryan Raburn. At 26 years old, I like Raburn's chances at becoming a productive pro. He has a decent glove, shows some pop with the bat, and even managed to hit .304 in 138 at bats last year. No one will mistake Raburn for an All-Star, but I'm a fan of him as a seldom-used replacement. And who could forget his huge blast at Fenway last year. One of the highlights of the 2007 season.

Third Basemen: Miguel Cabrera, Brandon Inge
Grade: A+ with Inge staying, A- without him

What can I say that hasn't already been said? We added a 24-year old that hit .320 with 34 jacks and 119 RBI's to the middle of a lineup that was third in runs scored last year. Wow. I love Dave Dombrowski. I know giving up Cameron Maybin and Andrew Miller is a load, but Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis are proven players and are only a few years older. If you think that's a bad move, you're crazy. Cabrera's defense is not in Inge's statosphere, but the fact that he's lost some weight this offseason is promising. I'm definitely a bit giddy to see what Miggy can do.

Brandon Inge has been the top of many a story in Detroit this offseason. With the addition of Miguel Cabrera, Inge became expendable and because he wants to be an everyday third baseman, he's politely asked to be traded. I don't blame him. He's a fantastic defensive player who has gotten used to playing for a winning franchise. Always a hard worker, Inge endured the rough years in Detroit as well. The only problem is the fact that he makes close to $5 million a year and can't even hit .240. That makes him a difficult guy to trade. If a trade becomes available that can beef up our bullpen, I hope we jump all over it. But giving Inge away for nothing would be ridiculous. He's too versatile a player to throw away. I hope the best for Inge.

Shortstops: Edgar Renteria, Ramon Santiago
Grade: B

Of our new additions, Edgar Renteria has flown way under the radar. Whenever I've brought him up in conversation this winter, it seems that people are forgetting he's even on our roster. I'm very interested to see what kind of range he still has at short and if he's able to come close to matching his .332 average last year. The fact that he struggled under the pressure in Boston definitely concerns me. His addition made the Guillen move to first a reality, which I love, but I'm still a little skeptical that Renteria will come through for us. Man, I hope he proves me wrong. If he plays well, Renteria could be an amazing second leadoff hitter at the bottom of our lineup. We'll see.

With the news that Leyland will avoid using Guillen as a backup at shortstop, it seems that Ramon Santiago will find a roster spot in Detroit again this year. He's definitely the closest thing this roster has to an automatic out at the plate, but if can play a lot of errorless D on Renteria's off-days, I can't complain about him too much. He did have a hot streak at the plate early last year (that's why his average ended at a respectable .284), maybe he can make it last for a full year. I doubt it, though.