Jim Leyland's Decisions May Be Costing Tigers as Twins Sweep Detroit

The Detroit Tigers were swept in Minnesota after another disappointing loss to the Twins, 7-6.

After sweeping the New York Yankees, you would think the Tigers would have good momentum going into the Metrodome. Not the case.

Today the Tigers again looked flat—similar to the first two games when Tigers' bats were silenced by great pitching performances by Livan Hernandez and Scott Baker.

In my opinion, the Tigers have been struggling because of the poor decisions being made by manager Jim Leyland.

Carlos Guillen at third? How's that working out for ya, Jim?

The move at the beginning of the season to have Carlos Guillen at first base rather than shortstop sounded good considering most aging hitters who have lost a step in their giddy-up make the transition smoothly.

Not in this case. Guillen tends to play first base like he was playing over the bag at short. Jim Leyland figured he had better move him before Guillen or someone else (a baserunner) got hurt or worse. The fundamental errors he makes at first are just to much too bare, and kind of comical to watch—in a sadistic way.

So the easy fix would be?

Move Carlos to third and move all-star third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first. That seemed to be a good idea at the time but you forgot one thing—Carlos has to learn how to play third base first.

Third base is all about positioning yourself in front of the ball when it comes off the bat.  You cannot charge the ball and get it on a short hop like you would at short or second base.

After watching Guillen at third and all the errors (seven this year) he has committed and his direct hand in causing losses (I count four), you would think Leyland would have seen enough.

Bottom line: What do you do with him?

Carlos Guillen is a huge bat in the Tigers' lineup, and we cannot afford to have him out of it. 

Therefore, this one should be easy—DESIGNATED HITTER!

Guillen claims he cannot hit as well if he is not fielding.  That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. 

When you DH you have nothing else to do but concentrate on hitting. If poor fielding caused good hitting I might buy that.

This is not my first rodeo. All aging, leg-hurting, shoulder-aching players try to hang on to their dignity as long as they can—just ask Gary Sheffield.

And speaking of Gary Sheffield (one of my favorite players), he is currently batting .179 and struggling with the bat and shoulder problems.

Sit him down! Let him heal—we may need him down the stretch.  Right now he is not helping this team. Carlos Guillen's bat is, just not his fielding.

Can the Tigers sacrifice a little in hitting to put Brandon Inge back at third? I would think it might not be a bad idea as long as you had a back up catcher for Ivan Rodriguez.

When Pudge needs a rest you put Inge behind the plate, put either Cabrera or Ryan Raburn at third. Not Guillen.

Let's not forget that Jim Leyland is the manager for the Detroit Tigers at the moment. I think he is truly a great manager for the Tigers. Just not today.

Carlos Guillen is making errors at third base and causing us to lose ballgames. Let's not blame him for the errors or the lost ballgames—remember who put him at third and supposedly prepares this pro ball club to play at the best of their abilities.

Go get 'em, Leyland!