Where Dmitri fits in
It’s a really good question without a good answer. He’s back trying to work his way into baseball shape again, which though Dave Dombrowski said he never doubted, a lot of people on the outside couldn’t see one way or the other. But once he gets in shape, goes to Toledo and plays, what then?
If Dmitri Young had been healthy all season, Marcus Thames probably would’ve never had the opportunity to do what he’s doing now. Yet here he is, still putting the ball over the fence at an alarming rate, hitting .300 for almost an entire month until now, and being one of the most difficult Tigers to pitch to. The bases-loaded walk he had Wednesday said plenty, because he took a 3-2 pitch. And he’s hitting well over .300 against right-handed pitching.
If Young is to become a regular again, he has to perform that way unless someone is injured and creates a void to fill. If he’s going to get back on the roster, again barring injury, he at least has to outperform someone on the bench, probably Alexis Gomez. Considering Gomez can play several different outfield positions and has become a versatile tool off the bench for specialty situations and pinch-running, that’s not a given.
For Dmitri to come back, you get the feeling it’s not going to be enough just to get back into playing shape and get up to the plate a few times like he did earlier this year in Erie. He has to show he can hit good pitches again, run the bases with some sort of mobility, and play a position at least occasionally, whether it’s first base or the outfield. This isn’t going to be rushed, and I don’t think it’s a guarantee he gets back up if he doesn’t show he can help this team. I believe it’s still in him to show that, but it’s going to take some work.
I’m not going to take on what he allegedly did in April. That’s a whole other issue. However you feel about what has happened this year and what he was accused of doing before pleading no contest, this would be a dramatic way to watch your career fall apart — go from the one star player on a 119-loss team to a bad headline once that team finally becomes a contender. We’ll see if he can rewrite the script.
Jason Beck
I use to be a big fan of Big D. But after 2 previous seasons of hitting well below .300 and now this year, I don’t believe there is much of a future OR need for him in Detroit. Although, I wouldn’t mind him finishing the rest of his contract this year in Detroit and then letting him go where ever he wants. I wouldn’t have a problem with this as long as the management doesn’t bring him back up after a month or so and take Thames’ spot as DH. Thames as proven himself and deserves to keep playing and not let some has-been, woman-beating player come in and take his spot with the team.
I have been a fan who has been appreciative in the past for the play and enthusiasm contributed by Dmitri. But, there is absolutely no way possible Dombrowski and Leyland can be so stupid as to remove anyone from the current player roster to make a position for Dmitri. What the Tigers owe him is an opportunity to play himself back into playing shape, demonstrate in the minors this summer that he is capable of contributing, and then trade him for salvage value to a non-contending team such as the Pirates or Royals, where he might have a real opportunity to play again. But, never again in Detroit.
The first comment is a little bit overboard. There is a big difference between opposing violence towards women and ripping someone when they are down. There is no reason not to give Dmitri the kind of chance that Jason reccomends. In other words, he only comes back if he can outplay someone on the roster. As for a trade, if Dmitri doesn’t show he can still play baseball, he won’t have any value anyway.
Interesting comments re DY. My problem with him is two-fold. First of all I think it is imperative that the chemistry of the team is not jeapardized by bringing him back to the roster. He is a malcontent and a possible trouble-maker in my opinon. I remember last year when he was outwardly critical in the press about the club’s decision to return Thames to the minors. There was another incident too–can’t remember what it was.
Secondly, I don’t think he can cut the mustard anymore on the field. I don’t think much of the added consternation posed by the persoanl issues but they are personal, and the media will undoubtedly exploit the entertainment value. I don’t like what I hear but it’s not our place to judge either.
Couldn’t have said it better, Jason and Steve. Let him play in the minors, getting no special treatment (why would he deserve it?). If he’s in the top 25, then he’s in the top 25 and deserves a spot. If not? Keep him in the minors, or try to trade him for anything really at this point if Illitch wants to cut his losses and not pay him. Either way, no special treatment should be rewarded. Maybe if we were 20-60, but we’ve got the best record in the bigs. Play your way on Dmitri.
I won’t get into his personal issues, that is for him to deal with and overcome.
My oppinion is that DY has but one chance to return to the Tigers. The Tigers owe him but one chance to return and that’s what he will get. In taking that chance based on what has come down from management, he will have to go to a minor league team and really perform. I believe he will have to demonstrate an ability to hit for average with some power and show that he can play at least one position in the field fairly well.
I think he has little chance of returning to what he used to be and theren lies his chance to return. He will get that little chance to demonstrate that past ability.
There’s no question the Tigers could use another strong left handed bat but judging by their performance up to now, there’s no need to panic. As long as that need remains DY has a slim chance.