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Does Damon fit with the tigers? With an outfield that consists of Carlos Guillen, Ryan Raburn, Austin Jackson, Magglio Ordonez, Wilken Ramirez, and Clete Thomas, Damon probably takes one of their spots away. What does the pecking order look like? Off the top of my head I would say Ordonez, Raburn, Damon, Guillen, Jackson. Only Jackson seems like a center field candidate.
I would say yes. Damon gives them a consistent bat and a healthy set of legs to play left and hit 1 or 2. How much he plays, I don't have an idea right now. Does it really shift the balance of power in the AL Central? I would have to say it improves them a win or two but does not significantly effect the odds for the Tigers.
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It's a reasonable fit. Damon isn't a game changer for them, but he does have value as an insurance policy. If Guillen or Ordonez gets hurt of if Rayburn or Jackson don't live up to potential, Damon's value really comes to the front
ReplyDeleteI see Damon in left, Rayburn in center and Ordonez in right with Guillen DHing. I'd platoon Jackson in center most of the time, and move Rayburn to left on those days when Jackson is playing. Leyland has said that Damon won't take at bats away from Guillen and he certainly isn't going to push Ordonez to the back of the bus. Rayburn had an awesome year last year and could be on track for another great one. Jackson needs to get some at bats to show he can be the star many think he can be.
Damon isn't a sure thing this year. He's playing in a city he doesn't really like, he's older, and last year he was having bizarre vision/spacing-out spells out there in left that make you wonder.
I've got Detroit over Minnesota in that division and I think Damon provides a little more insurance in the outfield, gives the Tigers and extra tool with a left handed bat, but doesn't really change the makeup of the team. A good pickup but not a game changer.
Can Raburn handle center? His Rate2 stats for left are just above average and he never has put significant time in center. What do the scouts think?
ReplyDeleteDoes Jackson need a platoon? I always figured he was a write in for center due to defense alone. A bit of a gamble on Detroit's part but they probably needed to dump salary far more than we know.
As for the division, it is probably going to come down to whose pitching staff is healthier.
If you are going to start Jackson in center full time then Damon is only bench player. I'd take Rayburn in left and see if he can keep his momentum going this year. Bring Johnny in if someone needs a day off. Also, I'm not so sure AJ is as ready as others seem to think.
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying Jackson should start in center, but that it looked like Detroit was planning on it by not picking up anyone who could fill in if he wasn't ready. If you are willing to put Raburn in center, why not right? Ordonez at the DH spot would work out. Guillen would fill in at 3B and LF over the course of the season.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't put my faith in any OF outside of Damon and Ordonez. Guillen needs to prove he's healthy, Jackson needs to prove himself, and Raburn needs to be more 2009 than 2008 this year. Lot of people for a few positions, gives them plenty of what-ifs to sort out in camp. I don't know if they will have a great outfield when all this is settled out either, but it might be good enough to help them win the central.