Month: November 2013

Tigers Trade Fielder…

Crippy Baseball, Detroit Tigers , , , , , , , , , , ,

to Texas for Ian Kinsler!

According to this post at CBSSports dot com, the Tigers have moved Prince Fielder.

The Rangers and Tigers have agreed on a blockbuster deal to send Prince Fielder to Texas for Ian Kinsler, pending physicals and the approval of at least Fielder, CBSSports.com has learned.

There was no word yet of any other players being involved, so it may just be a one-for-one swap of stars. Fielder’s salary is much larger, and it is believed money will got Texas in the deal it wasn’t certain how much.

I like Prince Fielder but I think the Tigers made the right move.  I know overall, Prince’s numbers with the Tigers, looked pretty good.  But as Mark Twain once said, “there are lies, damned lies and statistics.”

I’m not sure why but it just didn’t seem like Prince was a good fit here.  He really couldn’t come through when Cabrera struggled, which was rarely, and Prince’s performance in the post season was nothing short of an abomination.  He could have been charged with two errors in the 9th inning of game 2 of the ALCS,  he got picked off at third in game 6 of the ALCS, and he didn’t drive in a post season run since game 2 of the 2012 ALDS against Oakland.  That being said, I like Prince, he just didn’t fit in here.  With all of his personal problems perhaps a change of scenery is just what the doctor ordered for Prince and the Tigers.

With Kinsler’s acquisition, it looks like Ian will go to second, Miggy will go to first, and Castellanos, though I ‘m not sold on him yet, goes to third.  Kinlser can fill the lead off slot in the lineup and let Ausmus move Austin Jackson down to the 7th or 8th spot.

Perhaps, even more importantly, the Tigers may have freed up enough money to sign Cy Young winner Max Scherzer.

Now for left field.  I hope Ausmus didn’t inhert Dirksburger syndrome.  He’s not the answer.

Hat tip to Nebraska, Vart, Sark and Mickey for giving me the news.

Also, a belated congratulations, from Flashin’ Leather to Miggy and Max!

“God I love baseball.” Roy Hobbs | The Natural

CONGRATS SARK!

Crippy Baseball , , , , , , ,

Flashin Leather contributor, Greg Sarkisian, finished second in batting average for the Old English D’s of the Men’s Senior Baseball League (MSBL).

On September 24, 2013, the 35 Old English D’s, completed a 23-4 season, by winning both the Detroit Green Division regular season and playoff championships by defeating the Astros 21-5 in the second game of a sweep of the best of three championship series. The D’s are the first Green division team in Detroit MSBL history to top the 23 win mark (regular and playoffs combined) and we finished with a .500 mark against upper division 35 teams.
The D’s were led by improved defense, stellar pitching and solid hitting. Our defense improved dramatically. In 2013, opponents scored 114 runs, only 60 were earned. In 2012, opponents scored 219 runs on us, 106 were earned.
Our main pitchers, Tim Lata and Brian Birchenough, finished in the Top 4 of all major pitching categories, including Wins, ERA, WHIP, Strike Outs, and innings pitched. Tim Lata won the 35 Detroit MSBL pitching triple crown.
Our offense was a total team effort. We had three of the top four hitters for average- Greg Sarkisian finished 2nd, Kevin Wojtylko finished 3rd and Chris Priebe finished 4th. Brandon Florence led the division in stolen bases. We had six players in the top ten in walks and four players in the top ten in RBI’s- Brian Birchenough was 2nd, Todd Palmer was 3rd, Kevin Wojtylko was 5thand Chris Priebe was 7th.

Our team was started by four guys who met at the Detroit Tigers fantasy camp 6 years ago. We played for other Detroit MSBL teams and thought it would fun to be on the same team during the summer. Our current team has seven Detroit Tigers fantasy camp alumni. Our team has become like a 2nd family for many of the guys on the team. Our families have become friends, we have vacationed together and some have even stood up in weddings for one another. Winning the 2013 35 Detroit Green Division Dual Championship was a great accomplishment for all of us.

I’m sure Sark Flashed some Leather as well!

“God I love baseball.” Roy Hobbs | The Natural

Brad Ausmus is New Tigers Manager

Crippy Baseball, Detroit Tigers , ,

CBS Sports dot com is reporting that Brad Ausmus will replace Jim Leyland as the Tigers manager.

The Tigers will name former big league catcher Brad Ausmus their new manager, reports Adam Spolane of SportsRadio 610. He will travel to Detroit on Sunday to finalize a contract.

Ausmus, 44, has never managed or coached at the big league level. He served as the manager for Team Israel in the qualifying rounds of the World Baseball Classic this spring. Ausmus has worked in the Padres’ front office as a special assistant since 2010.

Despite the lack of managerial experience, Ausmus is widely regarded for his baseball acumen and leadership skills. He has been considered a future manager since his playing days and recently interviewed for the Cubs’ vacant managerial seat.

Ausmus played 18 years in the majors, including three with the Tigers (1996, 1999-2000). He was a defense-first catcher who won three Gold Gloves (2001-02, 2006) and made one All-Star Team (1999).

I was hoping the Tigers would hire former Phillies manager Charlie Manuel.  But it doesn’t seem like he was even being considered.  That being said, based on who the Tigers were interviewing, I’m glad they chose Ausmus.

Catchers seem to make good managers.

Let’s hope Ausmus can help end the 30 year World Series drought.

“God I love baseball.” Roy Hobbs | The Natural