Detroit Tigers 2000-2009 All-Decade Team Best Players History

4 of 11

Jun 25, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tiger former player Placido Polanco throws out a ceremonial first pitch before a game against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Second Base: Placido Polanco

Dave Dombrowski made a plethora of deft trades as he helped the Tigers make the transition from laughingstock to title contenders. One such move that tends to go under the radar was his acquisition of second baseman Placido Polanco.

The Tigers sent big-name closer Ugueth Urbina to the Philadelphia Phillies in the summer of 2005. The Tigers needed more production out of the second base position but had to give up their most dominant reliever (and closer) in return. The move ended up being a slam dunk.

Polanco spent parts of five seasons in a Tigers uniform and averaged a tick above three WAR per season. He was named to one All-Star game, won two Gold Glove Awards, and posted an impressive .311/.355/.418 batting line.

2005 would be Urbina’s final season in the major leagues. He was arrested in Venezuela on charges of attempted murder later that fall and ended up serving seven years in prison.

Home/Detroit Tigers