Opinions are not allowed, only actual statistics. Opinions get berated with real life proof of how a player will perform in the future. :hehe:

Sorry, could not resist. But I agree.. I hope the change of scenery helps him. He certainly has the potential to hit for decent power and steal some bases. While I think 30 is a little out of reach, 20 would be a great feat IMO.

Are you trying to imply that anyone not happy with the trade for him, or doubting his skills is not a Tigers fan? The second half of your post seems like you're trying to bait someone.

As far as his steals going up, a lot depends on how Ausmus manages, but I think 30 is a little on the high side. He hit 30 twice with his career high being 31, and he's getting older and slower. He'll swipe a handful of bases, but I'd guess more in the 15-20 range, and of course the most important thing will be how often he gets thrown out. Last year he was terrible at stealing, getting thrown out in nearly half his attempts, hopefully he can rebound from that a bit.

I was never opposed to having Kinsler here to play second base, although I do feel he is overrated based on playing half his games in a very hitter friendly park. I would have however liked to have gotten a little more considering what we gave up to get Kinsler.

As thumb said, we'll have to see how Ausmus manages. It could be that all the players sb's could increase. Under Leyland, most times a guy would run to make the guy at the plate swing the bat. For some reason he thought that would help a hitter out of a slump. Maybe that worked, maybe it didn't. I do know that we were never really aggressive at pure steals with Leyland at the helm.

Thumb said:

Are you trying to imply that anyone not happy with the trade for him, or doubting his skills is not a Tigers fan? The second half of your post seems like you're trying to bait someone.

As far as his steals going up, a lot depends on how Ausmus manages, but I think 30 is a little on the high side. He hit 30 twice with his career high being 31, and he's getting older and slower. He'll swipe a handful of bases, but I'd guess more in the 15-20 range, and of course the most important thing will be how often he gets thrown out. Last year he was terrible at stealing, getting thrown out in nearly half his attempts, hopefully he can rebound from that a bit.

I was never opposed to having Kinsler here to play second base, although I do feel he is overrated based on playing half his games in a very hitter friendly park. I would have however liked to have gotten a little more considering what we gave up to get Kinsler.

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I think Kinsler getting thrown out so much came from Ron Washington pushing the envelope too often. In the past couple seasons, he's felt the heat from upper management and often tried to be too aggressive with his baserunners. Kinsler needs to be able to pick and choose, as long as Ausmus gives him the green light. He can read the pitchers better than the manager.

Thundercats said:

I think Kinsler getting thrown out so much came from Ron Washington pushing the envelope too often. In the past couple seasons, he's felt the heat from upper management and often tried to be too aggressive with his baserunners. Kinsler needs to be able to pick and choose, as long as Ausmus gives him the green light. He can read the pitchers better than the manager.

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Whats the difference between Kinsler going on his own or being sent? He's still the one reading the pitcher for when to get his jump either way, the manager does not signal the runner when to start his break for second.

Hopefully he can bounce back some after a terrible year stealing bases last season, but I'd rather he didn't steal many at all rather than be thrown out attempting to steal ahead of Cabrera hitting.

Took us to go thru 236 2nd basemen to finally find one that hits for ave. and is a good fielder. Now we got a aging has been that's numbers have been dwindling the last few years. please no negative comments, it's just my .02.

Go IK!!!!!!!!

Steals, wow. He might have a good year but steals are way way way down the list of stats that mean a damn. They add very little.

Mitchrapp said:

Steals, wow. He might have a good year but steals are way way way down the list of stats that mean a damn. They add very little.

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Especially if he's hitting somewhere in front of Cabrera, if he can take 2 bases on a base hit to the OF that's plenty good enough for me. 1st to 3rd, or 2nd to home.

Speed helps sure.

Stealing a base, nope. Not like he's going to score on all those. Figure the next guy takes a walk, he's on second anyway. Or a HR in the same inning, didn't matter what base he was on, same if the next two guys get hits or a triple. Our back to back k's so he gets stranded plus the ones where he gets caught stealing etc. In any event, 30 SB probably means little.

We are all Tigers fans here.

Unfortunately, there does seem to be too much sarcasm, baiting, and gang tackling of a few posters, who do try to bring good info to the board. Everyone has their opinion of what is best for the team. I get it that everyone isn't going to agree with others 100% of the time or less than half that often.
There is no reason to bait troll Tigers fans posters, but it happens. Some need to have thicker skin. Others need to stop it when they stick the needle in those that don't like it.

I only get involved when it appears that one or a couple of posters are upsetting the whole board, here or elsewhere, hoping that it will eventually end and people move on without any resentments.

Grammar, or the amount of data that some don't agree with, I am hoping that all newcomers from this past summer/fall and longtime posters here will stop all the back and forth BS.
Otherwise, posters are going to be pissed at me for using a Hammer.

I have always told everyone here that you can talk to me in a private message Anytime. I try to help anyone whenever I can when they are upset about something here or for any reason as a sounding board.
Whether a poster will like what I say, I try to be as honest, objective, and truthful as I can be with all here.

Kinsler knocked that homerun ball into outer space. This guy has more power than I thought he would.

It's perfectly acceptable to point out that Kinsler's Home/Away and First-Half/Second-Half splits do not favor him. It's a concern that is not opinion-based. Given the Tigers' inability to score runs on the road, it would be nice to claim that Kinsler will help resolve that problem, but we can't.

byco42 said:

It's perfectly acceptable to point out that Kinsler's Home/Away and First-Half/Second-Half splits do not favor him. It's a concern that is not opinion-based. Given the Tigers' inability to score runs on the road, it would be nice to claim that Kinsler will help resolve that problem, but we can't.

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Players always make adjustments to thier home park. I am not worried at all. Kinsler is a professional hitter and has good power , speed and plays plays excellent defense.

Kinsler comes through in the clutch wins the 2nd game of the year walk off single. April 2nd 2014

I hope IK has a great year... I know what his home/away stats are but hopefully he will adjust and make a difference ... Nice game today...Wish Nathan thought he was pitching verses the Tigers every game..

As long as Kinsler doesn't get hurt he should be fine

Kinsler plays 2b defense as a higher level than Sweet Lou. His offensive play absolutely incredible. DD gets another feather in his cap for this trade.

stonecold2136 said:

Kinsler plays 2b defense as a higher level than Sweet Lou. His offensive play absolutely incredible. DD gets another feather in his cap for this trade.

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Let's slow our roll a bit shall we? He's off to a decent start, but why don't we wait until they've at least played a few months of baseball before we start declaring who won or lost that trade? I was happy with the trade in general, but we need to see more.

Whitaker won 3 Gold Gloves. Kinsler hasn't won one. Just curious why you believe Kinsler plays defense better than Lou?