DET 1B/DH pena shelton dmitri

[daweasle]

wondering what you guys think of the 1B/DH spot in detroit?

any chance of a trade there?

they have three players who should all be starters but there's only 2 spots.

shelton is youngbut looks to be the best bat

young is reliable and can hit for power and average

pena had a bad yr last year but came back strong hitting for alot of power after a run in the minors......

[Surfs up]

Shelton should be a lock as the starter at first base. He will get breathers and Pena may be the guy. D. Young has lost 30 lbs over the winter and will be the primary DH.Youngs contract is to large to unload without paying some or all as part of a trade. Pena is probably more likely to go. Ideally the Tigers would like to have Ordonez DH . If Logan and Granderson both hit in ST there could be some player movement to put that plan into motion.

[Havok1517]

I believe Pena will be out the door as well as maybe Monroe. I've already heard that Atlanta was close to trading Betemit for Monroe. I think Pena winds up SF maybe? Det really needs help in MR.

[mcqfesijiba]

The Tigers want to make a trade, but it comes down to finding a taker first. Dmitri has a large contract and despite being quite talented, Pena is a yearly dissappointment. For now, Shelton is definitely the starting 1B, while Dmitri is the favorite to be the DH with Pena pushing him for playing time. A good spring by Pena and Dmitri showing up out of shape could reverse that situation. Some people say Dmitri might see some time in the OF, but after watching him dive for routine fly balls last year because he was too fat to run makes me think otherwise.

If a trade happens involving Pena or Young, I am not expecting one until Spring Training starts at the earliest.

[daweasle]

wondering why the yankees wouldn't go after dmitri young? they have plenty of money to spend - and need a good DH/corner infielder.....

they have several starters who could be good in relief roles (IE jared wright, aaron small, tanyon sturtze etc) any one of them might be good in detroit.....hell one might even get a spot in the starting rotation and the displaced starter could do long relief.....

(the angels might be another willing trade partner?) not sure what relief guys they have avail as their relief guys are all such studs, they probably wouldn't want to get rid of any.

[kev921]

With Pena's late season comeback, wouldn't you think that Young has to be the odd man out?

[mcqfesijiba]

With Pena's late season comeback, wouldn't you think that Young has to be the odd man out?

I don't know, because Pena has a late season comeback EVERY year. Then he proceeds to suck horribly in the first half. His career pre-allstar break OPS is .723, while his career post-allstar break OPS is .842. Is that not a crazy gap or what?

Also, the reports are that Dmitri Young has already lost 15 pounds or so. Any weight he loses is a good thing, because last year he was just plain fat. If he comes in good shape and motivated, he could put up a pretty decent year, maybe.

[AdvRider]

Also, the reports are that Dmitri Young has already lost 15 pounds or so.

Only because Dmitri was in training for a blowout Motown Super Bowl party. All 15 pounds will be back on Monday morning.

[Surfs up]

I read a Tiger site that said it was closer to 30 lbs he has lost. And he has something like 8-8.5 million contract. Unless they eat most of it he will remain a Tiger. Pena and his 3-4 million is more likely to be traded. There has been talk of packaging two of these guys Maroth. Monroe , Pena and Young in a trade for a solid right handed starter since they have three leftie starters.

[fraquar]

wondering what you guys think of the 1B/DH spot in detroit?

Be prepared for the equivalent of "Running back by committee" IRT the 1B/DH spot - at least in the first half.

As has already been said:

Young - Detroit can't escape the FAT - even if he loses 30 lbs, his contract is TOO FAT for his production.
Pena - This is the proverbial "watch him break out if we trade him" situation. The Tigers are still infatuated with the "Pena Potential" - even though he's hasn't lived up to it in 4 full years.
Shelton - he has the most to lose here - and ironically he was the more productive of the 3 on a consistent basis last year.

This is a typical yearly dilemna in Detroit, as much of their farm system over the last 5-10 years has been filled with guys just like this - guys who would be on the unemployment line if it were not for the DH.