Shortstop Shopping
By Jim Craddock in Featured, Hot Stove, Jim's Gems | 3 comments
If the Tigers are dead-set against using Ramon Santiago as their everyday SS in 2009 (and I really don’t understand why they are), what are their options? Well, with Edgar Renteria (thankfully) in San Fran helping Zito form the All-Bust All-Stars, and Khalil Greene going to St. Louis, the field has narrowed a bit.
The trade route could yield Jack Wilson from Pittsburgh, who has to be better than Renteria defensively. But who would he cost the Tigers? At least a mid-level pitching prospect, most likely.
There are some interesting free agent shortstops out there. Rafael Furcal is probably out of the Tigers’ price range. It’d be a hoot to bring in Renteria’s nemesis, Orlando Cabrera, but his range is comparable to Renteria’s and he’s a Type A who’s been offered arbitration, so he’d cost a draft pick.
I’d like to submit a suggestion: Nick Punto. He’s relatively young (31), which gives him an edge over 3/4 of the FA shortstops out there. He’s versatile, having played 3B and 2B for the Twins, as well as SS. He won’t hit a ton, but he’s a solid fielder with good range, and he has played the past five seasons in a Minnesota system that stresses fundamentals and doing the “little things” that win ballgames. And let’s face it, there isn’t enough of that in the Tigers’ current lineup. And whenever Minnesota has one of those maddening water-torture rallies to beat the Tigers, Punto seems to be right in the middle of it.
They could do worse, and have before.
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sean | Dec 6, 2008 | Reply
I dont know what DD and Jimmy are afraid of. In no way is Ramon Santiago a great shortstop, but look at the alternatives. It just seems like a temporary fix that will show its ugliness midway through the season.
Doug | Dec 6, 2008 | Reply
Let’s not go the Jack Wilson route. I say he’s too expensive. If you are trying to cut costs, does the mill or two that he’s saving you from Renteria really do anything.
Plus, we read this morning (http://www.freep.com/article/20081206/SPORTS02/812060368/1050)that the Tigers have had talks with Kerry Wood’s people? That doesn’t seem too fiscally responsible, does it?
Jim Craddock | Dec 7, 2008 | Reply
I really can’t think of a better alternative than Santiago, given their situation, and other, more pressing needs. And I agree about Wilson, but they seem to love him…of course, they loved Neifi Perez, too.