The Tigers signed Cron to a free-agent offer over the winter and hes begun all 13 video games this season, striking four crowning achievement and playing solid defense initially base.
Gardenhire didnt share any news after the video game and said Cron was still being evaluated by medical personnel. If his demeanor provided any sign, the news may not be great.
DETROIT– Ron Gardenhires demeanor on Monday night didnt match that of a manager who had simply won his fourth successive game in a clean, crisp success over a divisional challenger.
The Detroit Tigers beat the Chicago White Sox 5-1 to open a three-game series at Comerica Park, but the success was spoiled by what seemed a major injury to very first baseman C.J. Cron.
If hes out for any length of time, the Tigers do have choices, but not necessarily specific ones. Heres a take a look at some of the possibilities the Tigers may consider:
1. Provide Lugo another possibility.
Offensively, replacing Crons bat with Lugos is going to represent a quite steep drop-off even under the most optimistic of forecasts.
But its far from an ideal solution.
After Cron was hurt on Monday night, Dawel Lugo got in the video game at third base and Jeimer Candelario moved over to first base. Thats what the Tigers did late in 2019 and it may extremely well be what they end up performing in Crons absence.
Candelario revealed himself in 2015 to be a really qualified defensive very first baseman, however there were some missteps on Monday night. Lugo is probably an average 3rd baseman at best.
2. Turn to Paredes.
Infield prospect Isaac Paredes is just 21 and has never ever taken a Major League at-bat, however hes hit well at every level of the small leagues and probably would have been in line for a late-summer call-up if this had actually been a “typical” year.
The injury to Cron could permit the Tigers to move Candelario to initially and take a longer look at Paredes at third.
3. Turn to a veteran.
Brandon Dixon started more games in the beginning base than any other Tiger in 2019; he also led the club in home runs.
The advantage of this plan is that it would enable Candelario to stay at 3rd base, where hes comfortable and has played exceptional defense.
Frank Schwindel is a longtime Triple-A slugger whos never gotten much of an opportunity in the big leagues.
Both players are 28 and both are non-roster players who would need to be contributed to the 40-man lineup.
4. Switch up the infield.
One concept is to put Castro at short and shift Niko Goodrum to first base.
The downside: Goodrum has played well defensively and has actually earned an opportunity to get a prolonged look at shortstop.
The Tigers like Willi Castro, who made his MLB launching last year and is currently in Toledo, however hes a middle infielder with extremely little experience at 3rd base.
5. The other Castro.
The Tigers could possibly put him at 3rd base and put Candelario at. (Heck, they might even put Harold at very first base). It just doesnt appear likely.
6. Miggy time?
The pros: Cabrera is in fantastic shape, and its a brief season, so protecting his legs for a 162-game marathon is no longer a worry.
The cons: Cabreras no longer the defensive player he as soon as was. Hes finally healthy and swinging the bat excellent, so why press your luck?
Miguel Cabrera would love this strategy: Just let him play very first base. You can play whoever you wish at DH, possibly turning on a daily basis depending on matchups.
6(b). What about Tork?
Since I consider it so unlikely that its barely worth discussing, Im not even listing recent No. 1 pick Spencer Torkelson as an alternative. I understand people will ask, and I expect the opportunity is higher than absolutely no. However not that much higher.
Get Tigers news, analysis and viewpoint in text messages sent straight to your phone from MLive Tigers beat writer Evan Woodbery. Simply text him. Its a two-way conversation that takes you inside Comerica Park every day.
The Tigers might conceivably put him at third base and put Candelario at. (Heck, they could even put Harold at first base). It just does not appear likely.
Get Tigers news, analysis and opinion in text messages sent out directly to your phone from MLive Tigers beat writer Evan Woodbery. Simply text him.
