FOLLOWING WHAT MATTERS TO YOU.

DETROIT TIGERS
Smyly-thriving-in-relief-role 5/14/13 - Smyly thriving in relief role
BACK
Add the Detroit Tigers to My HUB

Should we lay off Miguel Cabrera's defense?

June 28th, 2012 8:35 AM
  • Should-we-lay-off-Miguel-Cabreras-defense
  • Detroit-Tigers-third-baseman-Miguel-Cabrera-makes-a-throw-to-first.-Mandatory-Credit-Rick-Osentoski-US-PRESSWIRE
  • Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera fields a ground ball during the game against the Texas Rangers. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-US PRESSWIRE
  • Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera makes a throw to first. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE

    • When the Detroit Tigers signed Prince Fielder during the offseason and announced that they’d be shifting Miguel Cabrera to third base, people were justifiably skeptical. Despite entering the Majors at that position back in when he was 20 years old, Cabrera hadn’t played there full-time in four years, and the added weight that he’s put on since coming into the league had seriously limited his mobility.

    However, through the first half of the season, Cabrera has far exceeded expectations in the field. Though an error on Wednesday dropped his fielding percentage to .958, he entered the game with the highest mark among AL third basemen. Even his range hasn’t been as much of an issue as many expected it to be, as his range factor of 2.56 is the third-highest in the AL and better than past Gold Glove winners David Wright, Ryan Zimmerman, and Adrian Beltre.

    That’s not to say that Cabrera will be winning a Gold Glove of his own anytime soon. Despite the numbers, he still doesn’t pass the eye test at third base, as his big frame prevents him from making fluid plays or getting to a lot of balls. But he makes up for that at times with an above average arm. And of course, any minor shortcomings are more than compensated for by his work at the plate.

    “He's not going to be as athletic-looking as some guys down there,” manager Jim Leyland said. “But, he can catch a ground ball and he can throw it accurate with something on it. He'll always be good third baseman, probably never great. But he has the two ingredients: good hands and a good arm.”

    Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland hasn’t heard much about Miguel Cabrera’s shift to third base since the start of the season. That must mean the experiment is working.

    Read the original post from MLive.com

    What did you think? Leave a comment

    TOPICS

    RELATED STORIES
    More

    Fan Hub Action

    LATEST CHATTER

    Mariano Rivera Is Having a True Hero's Exit

    • Jeanne-Marie Jansen Lowell May 23rd

      Greatest relief pitcher EVER! Someday we can all tell our grandchildren we got to see him pitch. A true legend!

    • Charlie Lobosco May 23rd

      Ask Craig; I’ll say it again; not the best relief pitcher ever; the best MLB player ever. Yes, that includes everyone.

    • Jim Lowell May 23rd

      Great tribute to a great player, a great Yankee, and a great man.Thank you!

    • Frank Lowell May 23rd

      Great job, Ryan! As a life-long Yankee hater since the 1950’s in the closing days of the Brooklyn Dodgers, I can only sit back and…

    Belly putter ban to is an attempt to hinder the evolution of golf
    Rangers, Bruins ready to resume hostilities
    The irony - and bravery - of Jason Collins's decision

    • Charlie Lobosco May 1st

      This is a very compelling story because Mr. Collins is a very passionate, tough, intelligent, athelete taking on some additional responsibliity to help others as…

    • Scott Cohen May 1st

      Charlie.. very well said.. he does have guts

    POPULAR NOW

    Mariano Rivera Is Having a True Hero's Exit

    May 22nd, 2013 2:56 PM

    2
    Rangers, Bruins ready to resume hostilities

    May 16th, 2013 12:13 PM

    1
    Belly putter ban to is an attempt to hinder the evolution of golf

    May 23rd, 2013 1:49 PM

    1

    ALL TIME FAVES

    Despite tragedy, Boston and its marathon will endure

    April 16th, 2013 12:15 PM

    6
    Tiger on top is the best thing for golf

    April 9th, 2013 11:57 AM

    18
    The irony of Kobe Bryant's injury

    April 16th, 2013 3:48 PM

    15
    Questions about sexuality arise at combine

    March 1st, 2013 8:37 AM

    10

    Twitter Chatter