Do the Tigers really have a good defense?

[caulfield12]

Bad defense cost the Tigers a lot last season. Now the Tigers have one of the best left-side infield defenses in baseball with Brandon Inge back at third base and Adam Everett aboard to play shortstop.

 

The ever-trusty Placido Polanco plays second.

 

And yet: One national publication acknowledged the Tigers might have the best defense in baseball -- but picked them to finish last in the AL Central. Another publication headlined its Tigers preview "Dee-fense! Dee-fense!" -- and picked them fourth.

 

In 1991, the Atlanta Braves made the one-season vault from last to first. After they finished last in '90, they added three infielders, all tremendous defenders: third baseman Terry Pendleton, first baseman Sid Bream and shortstop Rafael Belliard, who's now the Tigers' infield coach.

 

Here's the rest of the article...

http://www.freep.com/article/20090406/SPOR...0377/0/SPORTS02

 

 

Everett is very good, but aging, certainly not a Gold Glover anymore and won't hit much over .200. Inge is OKAY at 3B, but he makes a ton of mental mistakes. Polanco is solid...so are Granderson and Laird. None of those guys are going to win the GG...I guess Granderson has a shot if he really puts up huge offensive numbers. And Guillen in LF and Ordonez in RF are both below average fielders. To compare them to the Rays or early 90's Braves is ridiculous. If Miguel Cabrera or Thames are anywhere near the field, that's even more of a problem for the Tigers.

 

Let's just to be thankful they don't have Mr. Jair Jurrgens, Cameron Maybin and even Andrew Miller (if he ever gets his head screwed on straight).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy News Press

*International edition*

 

Tigers outhit Jays at Rogres Centre ballprak

 

TORONTO—Led by the “relief” efforts of Brandon “Heart Of A” Lyon, the Tigers came within one out of forcing the Toronto Blue Jays into extra innings on Tuesday night, Detroit’s most successful outing so far this season.

 

As Edwin Jackson toiled on the mound inning after inning, a wave of nostalgia washed over Tiger fans as they witnessed a phenomenon unseen for many, many moons—pitching.

 

Fortunately, skipper Jim Leyland yanked fans back to present reality by his deft handling of the bullpen, causing baseballs to ricochet wildly around the stadium until the Blue Jays got tired of running the bases and everyone went home.

 

Adam Everett continued his lusty batting, nearly hitting the ball out of the infield at one point and keeping his average steady at .000.

 

Blue Jays fans, the big babies that they are, were treated to milk and cookies by the "No-Beer Brigade of Canada," which sponsored the game.

[sircaffey]

They certainly are not in the class of the 2008 Rays. That's laughable, because that was the best defense I have seen in a long time. I do think the Tigers have a good defense though. They are very strong up the middle.

[Balta1701]

They certainly are not in the class of the 2008 Rays. That's laughable, because that was the best defense I have seen in a long time.

2008 Rays D vs. 2007 Rockies D, who ya got?

 

I take the Rockies.