Defence could be the concern for Detroit Tigers – MLB News
Tigers defence had a crucial role to play in Tigers’ American League Central title winning campaign in 2011. Brandon Inge, who performed third base duties, was quite outstanding in the left field. However, with Miguel Cabrera moving to third base this season, it looks as if the Tigers will struggle in left-field.
Cabrera batted with great control and aggression in 2011 to earn another 100 RBI and 30 home-run season. However, following Victor Martinez's injury, the management asked him to play third base this season. Tigers’ move to switch him from first to third base has been criticised by some of the baseball analysts and writers.
According to sources, Cabrera has already lost 20 pounds of weight in an effort to become an effective third baseman. If the reports are true, the Tigers have solved one of their biggest problems of the upcoming season.
Even if Cabrera has not lost that much weight, he can be as dangerous as anyone at third base. Although Miggy has a reputation of being a bad fielder, he has shown in the past that he can up his fielding standards by bringing more concentration into play.
The striker has already started to work out for the upcoming season as he wants to show the world he can play third base as good as anyone else. Considering the hard work he has been putting in, Cabrera will have a point to prove in 2012.
Austin Jackson’s form can be another worry for the Tigers. He was quite sensational in 2011 to win the Fielding Bible Award but maintaining that kind of consistency will be a huge challenge for him this season. For his strikeout ability, he is often known as the strike-out machine. If he fails to give considerable results in centre-field, the Tigers will be vulnerable.
A couple of weeks ago, the Tigers signed a multi-million dollar deal with first baseman Prince Fielder. However, defence is not one of Fielder’s strengths since he made his Major League Baseball debut. Considering Tigers' defence issues, it will not be wrong to say that Jim Leyland has a lot to think about before the start of Spring Training. Undoubtedly, he has the ability to handle star players in Tigers’ lineup but handling the pressure will be the key to Tigers' success this season.
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