Detroit Tigers Position Breakdown: First Baseman
Sep 19, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Detroit Tigers first basemen Miguel Cabrera (24) at bat against the Kansas City Royals during the second inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
(This is the second article in a series that I’ll break down the Detroit Tigers position by position. To check out the first part, Catchers, click here.)
We all know that Miguel Cabrera is scheduled to be healthy and ready the week of Opening Day, and that he’s the everyday first baseman no questions asked. Even if Cabrera has to miss a day or two, Victor Martinez can fill in at first.
With this, I’m going to focus more on if Cabrera and V-Mart don’t return healthy as expected, and the Detroit Tigers have to replace both of the their first basemen.
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First (get it, because we’re… nevermind), Bryan Holaday would be the most likely not replacement/backup if one of these two guys wouldn’t be ready Opening Day or go down during the season via the tigers.com depth chart.
However, I wouldn’t be surprised if Holaday got some practice in at first base if Avila gets injured again during the season.
Holaday hasn’t played at first base in his three-year MLB career, but has the mobility possible to adjust to first base if need be. His .231/.266/.277 line from last year isn’t that impressive, but if called upon to replace one of the star first basemen, could fit in decently if that.
If we go by who’s listed on the depth chart on tigers.com, Holaday isn’t even considered for a replacement.
According to the Tigers website’s depth chart, current catcher Alex Avila and utility infielder Andrew Romine are the backup first baseman.
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Offensively, Avila wouldn’t be that great of a replacement, coming off a season in which he only had .219 batting average along with an average on-base percentage (.317) and a below average slugging percentage (.359) with 11 HR and 47 RBI’s.
The same is with Romine, who only hosted a .227/.279/.275 with 2 HR’s and 12 RBI’s last season after being acquired by the Tigers from the Angels during Spring Training.
The defensive ability between the two however, is what really stands out.
Avila is known for being one of the best defensive catchers in the game. He’s also has a ton of mileage on his knees and more than his fair share of concussions while behind the plate, which would make a transition to first in case Cabrera can’t go, much easier.
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Manager Brad Ausmus has also discussed the possibility of Avila playing first base, in the occurrence Cabrera isn’t ready to go for Opening Day. Doing this will also allow the young talented catcher James McCann to transition into the starting catcher role.
Romine has also started to practice at first base this Spring Training, giving the opportunity that Cabrera and Avila aren’t available. But given he ranked 6th in errors (8) with shortstops who played 90 games or less last year, he wouldn’t be a good option if Cabrera, V-Mart and Avila couldn’t play.
There’s also the possibility of the Tigers bringing first baseman Jordan Lennerton, who’s entering his eighth season with a career .273/.376/.432 line with 88 HR and 424 RBI’s.
Of course this is all “what ifs” and “if Cabrera is hampered by injury” speculation. As long as Cabrera’s healthy and his usual superstar self, the Tigers won’t have to worry about first base this season.
What do you think will happen if Cabrera and V-Mart are injured and can’t play first? Who should play first if this happens? Do the Tigers even need to worry about a possible first base replacement? Share your opinion in the comment section below.
Next: Second base