Evaluating Tigers First Basemen

The Detroit Tigers have a familiar face manning first base this year. Guillen moves from SS to 1B to help his ailing knees and help make him more of a power hitter. Here are my evaluations.

First Basemen- Detroit Tigers

1. Carlos Guillen 2007 stats- .296 AVG, 21 HRs, and 102 RBIs, .859 OPS, .955 FPCT

Carlos will be the first to admit he wasn't pleased to be manning first base a year before he was thinking about moving over there. Guillen also said he would only move if they got a All-Star or Gold Glove defender replacing him at SS. Well Guillen did make the move to first base for the upcoming '08 season and replacing him is All-Star Gold Glover Edgar Renteria. Guillen got his wish(good replacement at SS and his contract) and now will man first base for the rest of his Tiger contract. Guillen's experience as a SS will provide added range at the 1B position. First, His contact bat,hitting for AVG will undoubtedly be needed as Guillen is to bat probably 6th. His display of possible power surge at the end of last season should continue to grow as he rests his knees playing first. Rod Allen and Dan Dickerson say that Guillen is expected to be a possible Gold Glover next year because of his years covering SS. His range is phenomenal and will be quite good this great offensive team. Secondly, moving to first will rest Guillen's knees and maybe provide him with some 1B power in his bat so his numbers will increase at this position. Lastly, with his knees resting the DL shouldn't be a common cause for the ailing knees of Guillen. With Guillen's range and possible increase in his power he should turn out to be one great first basemen in the AL if not the best.

2008 Projected Stats: .302 AVG, 25 HRs, 109 RBIs, .921 OPS, .995 FPCT

2. Marcus Thames 2007 stats- .242 AVG, 18 HRs, 54 RBIs, .776 OPS, .975 FPCT

Marcus Thames should be named as the backup first basemen for the Tigers as soon as Spring Training begins. Thames a power hitter in his own right, hit 18 HRs in only 86 Games and half of those games he only pinch hit. With Thames being a power hitter he K's a lot and also has a low OBP and AVG. Even with these added disadvantages Thames continues to be a force to be reckoned with and Marcus should be great again this year. With Guillen more then likely needed days off to rest his knees and Jaques Jones needing a platoon partner(JJ can't hit LHP for jack), Thames should be getting a ton of playing this year. Both as a 1B and LF. Thames in '08 should still improve his number as he is entering the prime of his career.

2008 Projected Stats: .243 AVG, 22 HRs, 58 RBIs, .776 OPS, .985 FPCT

In a few days I will start with our Atlanta Braves 3rd Basemen and Shortstop.