Questions Answered for Opening Day

There were two main questions that were to be worked out as we moved to the final roster and the beginning of the season. Especially once we worked through how the team would function with both Fielder and Cabrera in the lineup. Both have been answered as the Red Sox come to Comerica tomorrow. 

1.) The Tigers 5th Starter

From the edges has emerged Drew Smyly. With Jacob Turner having a spotty spring, including an injury and Andy Oliver slowing down at the end of our time in Lakeland, Drew Smyly will be our guy... At least for the first quarter of the season. 

What to expect: With his solid performance in spring, Smyly will have numerous opportunities to cement his spot on the Tiger's rotation. However, expect for Oliver and Turner to emerge on the scene with any injuries or with inevitable poor performance by anyone out of the bullpen.

2.) The Second Extra Infielder

We knew that one of the three would not be on the roster. It was either going to be Brandon Inge, Ramon Santiago or Danny Worth. This decision was made easy through Inge's pulled groin. The question will now become whether or not Inge will be one the team or sent to Toledo once he returns. 

What to expect: Once Inge is better, he will begin at AAA and then earn his way back onto the team with good enough numbers heading into the summer. Whether or not he and his 6 million dollar salary will compete well enough to say is anyone's guess. 

Inge to Toledo and Worth to Stay?

There are advantages and disadvantages in sending Brandon Inge to Toledo to begin the year. As stated in the last post, with his performance this spring, Ryan Raburn has all but locked up second base. This leaves two spots for three potential infielders on the roster and important decisions for Jim Leyland and company to make prior to moving up north after spring training.

The three characters that are a part of this drama around the two spots in the infield are Ramon Santiago, Danny Worth and Brandon Inge. With his consistent and humble play, Ramon Santiago will undoubtedly head to Detroit with the team. This leaves one spot for either Worth or Inge.

It will be generally assumed that Inge will have this spot. With his bloated salary and declining ability to compete at the MLB level, maybe proper consideration should be given to Worth instead. The future will be with Worth, experience for the young infielder will be invaluable for the coming years, and his offensive and defensive productivity will be better than that of his counter part.

On the other hand Inge can't get any worse than he was last year. He is bound to hit better and to play solid defense at 2B, which could be beneficial in light of the rest of what is bound to be a sloppy defensive year in the infield in Detroit. More importantly, he is the patriarch of the clubhouse and his experience will be beneficial for keeping the glue strong in the midst of the relationships of the various characters on the club's team.

The decision will be difficult, and both players will get time on the diamond this year, but the decision that the team makes for who comes to Comerica in April will have implications.