Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The former Rockie, Cub, Tiger, and Brave is a career .266/.316/.428 hitter over eight seasons in the majors, and while he isn’t starting material, he can be productive if utilized properly off the bench, as in seasons like 2009 and 2010 when he was was worth 1.4 WAR and 1.1 WAR respectively.

Baker also has experience at several positions, including second base (his main spot on the field traditionally), first base, third base, and the corner outfield spots. When batting against southpaws, he’s a whole different hitter — as evidenced by his career .362 wOBA against them compared to just .288 when facing fellow righties. This is nothing more than a depth signing, but the Ranger’s home stadium is cozy and plays nicely for power hitters, and Baker has a chance to contribute positively.

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Garcia is as big as Cabrera, but can he hit like Cabrera? Image: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

Baker was acquired by the Tigers from the Chicago Cubs on August 5 for two players to be named later. After building a reputation as a weapon versus left handed pitching in the National League, where he spent parts of eight seasons, Baker’s first foray into the Junior Circuit didn’t go so well.

Playing almost exclusively against southpaws, Baker posted a line of just .200/.243/.257 in 37 plate appearances.

Evidently, the Tigers either really don’t buy the idea of small sample sizes or they really, really want Garcia on the playoff roster. Of course, that would have been easily accomplished anyway as Garcia could have been used as an injury replacement for someone like Victor Martinez, who is on the 60-day DL. By Including Garcia on the roster today, the Tigers leave open the possibility of adding a different player to the post-season roster if need be (using VMart’s spot).

The 21-year-old Garcia figures to assume Baker’s role of the right handed half of a right field platoon in Detroit. At 6’4″ and 240 lbs, Garcia reminds many of his now teammate Miguel Cabrera, both in stature and at the plate. Though he is still raw, Garcia is a potential dynamic offensive player.

The Tigers, who have gotten next to nothing from Brennan Boesch and Delmon Young this year, are hoping they might catch lightning in a bottle with their young outfielder.

For his part, Tigers manager Jim Leyland is fired up about adding the talented Garcia.

“It wasn’t Baker’s fault, because I know Baker’s a better hitter than he showed here. The track record shows that. But, for whatever reason, it wasn’t working, and we’ve got this kid that is a multi-purpose player, really — not as far as versatility position-wise, but he can run, he can throw, he’s supposed to be a terrific outfielder, he’s got power — so we’re going to try him. Why not?
“I like stuff like that. I’m kind of excited.”

For more on the Tigers, visit Motor City Bengals.

Image: OlympianX/Flickr

If you’ve been following the whole saga of life being Luis Castillo, you know he’s been through a wringer as of late. An ill-advised question regarding his race and a $6 million tag have drawn a bit of ire from Mets fans. There’s (most likely) other reasons. Well, Mets fans, he’s no longer your concern. At least from a roster standpoint. Castillo was given his walking papers yesterday. And he is happy to oblige.

While it’s no secret that Castillo has lost his range, his glove, his bat, well, you get the picture, he could be among the unemployed baseball players for only a brief period of time. He must pass through waivers, which is tomorrow, and then he will be able to negotiate with any club. It would be a shocker if he were to receive anything other than a minimum deal. If he were to get a deal other than that minimum, many baseball pundits would be doing one of two things…rolling at the hilarity of the signing team’s apparent desperation or delivering a golf clap to Castillo’s agent for pulling off one of the best baseball heists ever.
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