https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/01/24/watercooler-wednesday-69/
WATERCOOLER WEDNESDAY.
Totally Tigers
Today, another opportunity for readers to discuss the hottest topics in a forum where thoughtful dialog and a variety of opinions are welcomed.
Let?s create some running conversational threads. And for those of you back in actual offices, here?s a question to take with you ? or use via Zoom ? as you talk to your co-workers.
Here is today?s topic??..
Under the Tigers? old regime, the organization focused almost all of their attention on developing pitchers, not positional players. This resulted in a lack of depth throughout the team?s minor league system, especially with infielders.
Going into the 2023 season, there are more question marks than solutions for each position.
It remains to be seen if Jake Rogers can recapture his defensive form at catcher.
It is yet unknown if Spencer Torkelson will be able to hit enough in order to keep his job at 1B.
Jonathan Schoop had the best defensive stats in all of MLB at 2B but he had a horrible year offensively. His contract runs out after the 2023 season and potentially he may be traded before that.
After the non-tender of Jeimer Candelario, there is no heir apparent at 3B.
Javy Baez has 5 more years and $117 mill on his contract at SS. Last year, he led all of MLB with the most errors as a SS.
All of this is why such a large percentage of the players acquired by the Tigers this off-season were positional players.
Several of them are catchers. Most of them have experience at 2B, 3B and SS. One or two have just a smidge of experience at 1B.
A. J. Hinch has said that there will be tryouts for almost all positions this spring. And there are multiple candidates for almost every position.
Depending upon what they see, should the team focus on working around the 2B and SS positions held by Schoop and Baez or should they focus on creating the strongest infield possible? That may mean that Schoop plays 1B and 2B while Baez potentially moves to either 2B or 3B. That is if there are new players who have strong spring trainings working 2B and/or SS.
What do you think?
Should the Tigers consider re-arranging their infield depending upon what they see during spring training?
1. Yes, even if that means moving Schoop and/or Baez.
2. No, keep Schoop and Baez at 2B and SS.
VOTE
