Detroit Tigers Position Grades: 1B/DH — Miguel Cabrera is Elite but Injury Concerns are Real

Sep 29, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Jefry Marte (55) makes an error allowing Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre (not pictured) to score during the first inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Avila got a ‘C’ as a catcher, but his bat does not play at the first base position. “Average for a catcher” is the same thing as “terrible for a first baseman”. He has played because the Tigers had few options while trying to protect Miggy, and he flashed some impressive leather at times, but he’s simply not good enough at the dish to make a living at first base.

The Jefry Marte experiment was worth the try — and I’m sure he gained valuable experience — but he’s not ready to play the position every day either offensively or defensively. His power potential is nice off the bench, but he’s really just a weak side platoon option at this point.

Marc Krauss was a very poor hitter. He’s credited with a -3 wRC+ which might literally be impossibly bad. The real crime here is that Brad Ausmus never batted him lower than 7th in the lineup in his nine games as a starter.

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