The Tigers designated catcher Dustin Garneau for assignment, according to an announcement from the team. Additionally, lefty Tyler Alexander hit the IL for an elbow sprain, bringing the team’s active roster down to 26 players.
The Tigers’ three-catcher plan has come to an end, with Tucker Barnhart and Eric Haase remaining to handle duties behind the plate. Garneau, 34, has led a journeyman MLB career, accumulating 506 big league plate appearances across eight seasons for six different teams. He’s never topped the 126 plate appearances he received in 2017 for the Rockies and A’s. Garneau had joined the Tigers last August as part of a full-circle series of transactions.
Even at age 34, an experienced catcher like Garneau with a “have glove, will travel” mindset is usually able to find a spot in an MLB organization, with the position always in short supply. And there’s always the possibility he clears waivers and remains with the Tigers. Though not known for his defense, the 29-year-old Haase will be Barnhart’s sole backup behind the dish, even though Haase has spent more time at left field than catcher so far this year.
Whoa!!!
Moved the wrong catcher – it should have been Haase, or is he out of options? Instead, they could have optioned Akil Baddoo his .128 batting average. and .421 OPS.
And another pitcher hits the IL??? Three of the Tigers five starting pitchers as of Opening Day are currently on the IL just a month after the season started.
All 3 Tiger Catchers are out of options. Always questioned why the Tigers would carry 3 catchers, even with Haase’s ability to play the OF. Of course, watching him play the OF makes you question if he should play out there or not. Garneau probably does not make this team if rosters were 26 men out of the gate. Today was cut down day, had to be to 26. Kind of surprised the Tigers did not opt to keep 14 pitchers with the way the injuries have gone. Then again, the day is not over.
Haase is out of options thought, and almost certainly would have been picked up by another team. He showed some serious hitting potential last year, no reason to just get rid of him after a few rough weeks
Suspicion that Haase is out of options is why I suggested demoting Baddoo instead of designating Garneau.
Separately, I’d still like to see Baddoo demoted in favor of promoting Kody Clemens. Somebody on this team had better start hitting, and I’m disappointed that Hinch hasn’t established any consequences for poor production a month into the season.
Clemens is pushing his way on. Too bad he doesn’t play LF. However, he could probably play it as well as Haase. Schoop isn’t hitting so Clemens could platoon at 2b
Clemens does play LF. The Tigers have been playing him equally in LF, 2B and 3B plus a little at first. Plus, the kid’s very athletic. Hitting over.300 with 6 homers in April…bring him up!
Once Greene is healthy Baddoo will go to Toledo
Yes, but that’s at least another month. It isn’t just Baddoo’s batting average, he is making weak contact. Something isn’t right and Coolbaugh and Hessman haven’t been able to fix him. Reward Clemens while also sending a message to the team that your spot is at risk if you don’t produce.
Both are out of options, should have sent Baddoo down to get him hitting
Agree Ya Bada Badoo
Former teammate of Justin Morneau.
The entire team isn’t hitting
I wouldn’t say the entire team isn’t hitting….
Baez: .292
Meadows: .319
Hittin’ Harold: .333
Barnhart: .317
Cabrera: .258 (which was well over .300 last week)
And then Cabrera faced one of the single best pitching staffs in baseball and just got beat while Barnhart collected some fluky and some real hits
And Meadows costs runs with his glove
Meadows has been pretty good with the glove this year
Not a fan of this move. Garneau at least has been doing his job. Baddoo has options left -could have called him back up once he fixed his issues, and then cut Garneau if necessary. The only way to explain this is Grossman is about to hit the IL.
This is indeed a strange move. The Tigers could have just optioned Willi Castro (which might happen anyway). Now they will open a spot on the 40-man roster.
Gruß,
BSHH
Example of why both the 26 man MLB Roster and the Team 40 man roster are antiquated and obsolete for today’s game.
What does this even mean? Are you saying the rosters should be bigger or smaller?
I’m in agreement about Baddoo. He should be demoted for his own good. Even though it’s a small sample size, not sure how you cut a .300 hitter with the team not hitting, and give the backup role to a player currently batting .128.
But whatever. At least Barnhart is starting to hit….
I figured it would be Garneau or Willi Castro and a pitcher. Good decision.
I would not mind if the Orioles would sign Garneau. He definitely would be an upgrade over Beemboom.
For those suggesting Baddoo, he’ll likely get sent down when Reyes is ready to come off the IL
I doubt it. They’ll give him another month or so, and by then he’ll probably be hitting. I’m guessing that when Greene is healthy, Hill will join Reyes in Toledo.
I agree with love of the game.garneau stay and badoo gone days ago.
The tigers are looking pretty good. It’s an exciting team, and they finally have guys coming up. Losing Baez to celebration melee hurt. Losing Green to start the season hurt. The pitching is deep for a change. Bringing Faedo up is cool. D. Hill looks like he’s ready to stay up too.
The farm system looks good. They don’t even have to worry about bringing Greene up right away, and they got a guy to move to someone in Grossman. Reyes switch hitter in right, Hill an Baddoo can platoon center, Hasse can spell Meadows at times.
Next year will be fun with no more shifting. That puts Tigers speed in the outfield in good stead. When Candy an Scope start hitting it’ll be a lot more fun.