Why is Ryan Raburn still on the Detroit Tigers roster?

The biggest flaw of the Dave Dombrowski/Jim Leyland era of the Detroit Tigers is their stubborn loyalty to players that just don’t get it done. Sure, we can safely argue that every Dombrowski contract goes at least one year too long, butLeylandstubbornly refuses to see what the numbers (or the performance) seems to be telling him. To be blunt Ryan Raburn isn’t very good, and it is a joke that he continues to get a spot in the starting lineup, and/or hitting him in the two hole. Sure, he is a right handed bat and the Tigers will face a lot of Southpaw pitchers coming up, but does that matchup over shadow the performance of Raburn at the plate?

Raburn is hitting .173 on the season, and we are tried of hearing that he is a late bloomer. The season is on he line right now, the Tigers need to first get to a .500 record, and then make a run at the post season. If Raburn takes this many at bats, this long of a time to get going then I argue that that investment is not ultimately worth it. Especially when we consider that Quintin Berry sits on the bench. With his ability to bunt, and get on base, and steal bases he is a better fit in the two hole (given the Tigers current options). I would also argue that his presence later in the batting order would be good for the team. Certainly better than stubbornly continuing to run Raburn out there day after day.

Raburn started yesterday in left field. He went 0-3, and left a man on base. What did that right hitter lefty pitcher matchup give this team? NOTHING!! We often hear aboutLeylandnot willing to give away outs. He uses that argument to explain why he does not bunt more, however not only is Raburn’s presence in the lineup giving away outs, but wasting at bats. Raburn as had 168 at bats this season and more than a 100 of them have been a waste.

If he is a late bloomer have him get his tune up inToledo. That is a lot more difficult now that he has reached his five years of service, but seems to speak to a failure by Dombrowski to find better role players. Or to find adequate replacements for the pieces he already has. Furthermore the farm system should be stocked full of guys waiting to get a chance in the majors, and those that are worthy of that. The simple fact here it is not and that is one of the biggest failures of the Dombrowski era of this team.

Raburn as been better since returning formToledo. He even raised his average all the way to .182, but that is still far below what should be the standard for a team expected to compete for a World Series title. In the end it seems the fans expectations are too high, and the expectations of the team, its front office, and coaching staff are way too low.