I just penned a piece over at Beyond the Boxscore about the Huff deal. After sleeping on it, I'm far less enthused about this deal. Given the lack of positions for him to play, and the likelyhood that he won't be a major upgrade (or an upgrade at all), I feel it was a move to just make a move. I find it unlikely to make a major impact on the club.
Here's to hoping I'm wrong and he goes on a massive rampage offensively for Detroit!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
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Seems a bit early to make that call...
ReplyDeleteI think the real question is how bad of a call it was to dismiss Gary Sheffield before the season started.
the Tigers paid him $14 million this year to hit
.286 with 10 HRs and 43 RBIs in 88 games for the Mets. Which would be the second highest batting average on the team.
With the Tigers hitting like they have been, and since they basically gave Josh Anderson to the Royals... well: Seems to me like that's the terrible personnel move of the year that DD and JL made this year. And significantly worse than the Huff trade.
What do you think?
I don't think it's a bit early to make that call. Huff's been awful all season long. The only good thing to say about Huff is he's hitting .275/.359/.420 over his last 78 PA's -- but that's not enough to change my opinion on it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I don't think releasing Gary Sheffield was a bad decision. He'd shown an inability to stay healthy and was turning 40 and making a large amount of money. He could still play, as he proved in his few months he was healthy that he's still a solid hitter for his age. There was no reason to believe he as going to be able to do it over 400+ PA's. Hindsight's 20/20, though.
The Tigers have been a bad offensive club all year long, not since they gave away Josh Anderson. And we're better for not having him in the lineup. We don't miss his .194/.219/.194 line he's put up with the Royals.
I don't think giving away Josh Anderson is even in the same universe of "bad move." I'm critical of Dave Dombrowski because I come from a very sabermetric point of view, while Dombrowski isn't one of those types of GM's, so I don't agree with a lot of his moves, but dumping Josh Anderson was easily a good move, though I questioned it at the time -- Guillen's been better than I thought (particularly in driving the baseball).
Yea. That was poorly written on my part. i meant that dropping Sheff was the worst move, not dropping Josh.
ReplyDeleteMy recollection is that they dropped Sheff to make room for younger, faster, more energetic guys like Josh Anderson. Which is why I brought Josh up. They dropped Sheff for him...
THAT is why it seems like such a bad move. Hindsight is 20/20. That's what sports commentary is all about. Monday morning QB and all that. Mostly it's all horseshit, but hopefully DD and JL are learning from the $60 million dollars they are paying to players who not only aren't starting, they're not even on the roster right now. And while no one could've forseen Bonderman's injuries, o: Sheffield, Dontrelle, Nate are serious dead weight right now. Seems like just throwing 14 million dollars and a experienced, not-always-healthy, but contributing bat like Sheffield's.... well:
That's what I was thinking when the White Sox picked up Alex Rios and then the Tigers picked up Huff
Ohhh, oh. Gotcha. Yeah, in retrospect, dropping Sheff does look foolish, but did anyone expect him to remain this healthy all year? I know I didn't. I'm not sure he was cut strictly for Josh Anderson.
ReplyDeleteI do agree, though, that the Tigers have a few albatrosses around their necks contractually.
I actually think Rios is being paid right about what he's worth because of his defense making up for his offensive shortcomings (and you factor in the rising marketplace and whatnot).
I don't believe the Huff deal will enhance or hurt the Tigers substantially. The common perception was that the tigers "needed a bat" and DD went out and got one without sacrificing too much. His lack of defensive prowess at any one position will probably give him many more DH at bats that positional ones, although I wouldn't be against him replacing the hurting (and slumping) Inge against right handers. In the final analysis, I don't think his presence will help or hurt very much. He isn't that influential of a player. I don't the Tigers will re-sign Huff or Washburn. Enjoy them while you can.
ReplyDeleteIt was a move simply to make a move. No more, no less, really. He has been a streaky hitter in the past and a second half performer throughout his career. DD was willing to give up a relief prospect on the off chance that his lefty bat would get hot again. I have no problem with the gamble.
ReplyDelete