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Posted 06/22/2009 at 11:17 AM
The Detroit Tigers appear to be the class of the American League Central, entering the weekend with just a two-game lead but certainly having been the most consistent of the division clubs since May.
And the fact that Detroit is in first without anything from former AL batting champ and perennial MVP candidate Magglio Ordonez is shocking. Ordonez is hitting just .273 with two homers and 22 RBI. He has only six RBI since his last game with more multiple RBI on May 15. Mags is homerless in a career-high 38 games in a row and has just 11 extra base hits.
And manager Jim Leyland has seen enough, benching his right fielder indefinitely.
“I’m going to get him away from it,” Leyland said to reporters. “He’s beating himself up. Just let him breathe a little bit and see what happens. … I don't want to say this is the last straw, but this is another idea."
That wasn’t the only news of the week, as Detroit put struggling pitcher Dontrelle Willis on the disabled list. Willis, after a decent return, had reverted back to his wildness (18 walks in past three starts) and might well be done as a big leaguer because he can’t seem to conquer that anxiety disorder. Willis says there’s nothing mentally wrong with him and that it’s mechanical.
Unfortunately, Willis was being counted on as the team’s fifth starter, especially once Jeremy Bonderman’s comeback from injury was derailed and as Nate Robertson continues to get pounded in relief.
Pitching has been the strength of the club so far, but that rotation is definitely starting to fray behind Justin Verlander. The team called up prospect Alfredo Figaro to start in Willis’ spot over the weekend, but does Detroit really expect to win with two rookies in the rotation (the other being Rick Porcello)? And don’t forget Armando Galarraga has been terrible, so all of a sudden the rotation is a big question mark.
By the way, Willis and Ordonez are both due around $20 million combined this year and nearly $30 million next year. So there will be no trade partners for either player.
So can the Tigers win the division or a pennant with a rotation in tatters and a hole at No. 5 in the lineup where Ordonez was?
I would say no. The Tigers will have to begin to limit Porcello’s innings soon so as to not run the risk of him breaking down. He has too much potential for the Tigers to risk long-term damage by overuse. Ordonez probably will get another shot in the lineup, but if Marcus Thames can semi-replicate the old Mags, that might suffice in the short run.
Still, this team probably doesn’t have the money to make any big trades. In fact, some are speculating that the Tigers benched Ordonez so he doesn’t reach plate appearance incentives that guarantee around $15 million in 2010 and 2011. Also remember that the Tigers already ate Gary Sheffield’s contract this year. And it’s not like the Detroit economy is booming, either.
Monitor this team closely over the next few weeks. Both Willis and Mags are popular players. Detroit wasn’t really counting on Willis for much, but if Ordonez is “lost,” that will hurt a team that is offensively mediocre as it is.
That hold on first place could be very tenuous, with a team like the Twins suddenly looking like a decent value bet to win the Central.
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