Zach Miner needs a demotion. He needs to get sent down to Triple-A Toledo for several months to get things figured out. Tuesday night, he had yet another bad outing. Miner pitched one-third of an inning, alowed a run on two hits. That's just flat out unacceptable, in my humbe opinion. Bad pitching has become a trend for Miner, who last week pitched one inning against the Indians and allowed five earned runs on five hits. His ERA is still bulging around 15.00.
Zach Miner has one option left. That means the Tigers can demote him to Toledo and he doesn't have to clear waivers first. I know Francisco Cruceta just arrived in Toldeo but I'm certain he'd be more effective than Miner in the big leagues.
Curtis Granderson will probably be activated at some point today. The Tigers should send Miner down and Keep Clete Thomas. I know Thomas was the last player selected to the 25-man roster when the team left Lakeland but he's hitting .300 and he's a lefty stick. He's proven after a month that he can play in the major leagues. Is he a great center fielder? No, but he's serviceable, and did I mention he's a lefty stick?
Zach Miner should be the player demoted when Granderson is activated.
Dontrelle Willis is still a week or so away from returning. He threw a bullpen session Monday and says he felt fine. That means he'll soon be sent to the monorsn for a few rehab starts. Get ready Whitecaps fans, the D-Train could be making a B-Line to Grand Rapids very soon!
Interesting news coming from Jim Leyland after Tuesday's 10-2 win over Texas. Miguel Cabrera is moving to first base and Carlos Guillen is shifting to third base. From Leyland's tone, this is an indefinite move. Are the Tigers admitting that moving Guillen to first base was a mistake? So far it has been. Guillen has been brutal at first. I'm not convinced that Cabrera will be any better. I'm beginning to think the Tigers underestimated Sean Casey and wish they had him back. Sure, Casey's power numbers and batting average were down last year but how many times did he 'pick-it' at first base? He was an outstanding defensive first baseman, and the Tigers are now scrambling to put a band aid on a bad decision.
Maybe Guillen will play better at third. It's sort of like shortstop, but hell have to show more range. I don't see Guillen diving for balls hit hard down the line, though.
If Guillen wasn't a switch-hitting power guy, he'd be the odd man out and Brandon Inge would still be at third base. The good news in all this is that Cabrera didn't throw a diva fit and complain about the change. He welcomed it with open arms.
Here's to hoping it doesn't backfire.