Tracking the Tigers: Is Renteria worth it?
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by Oneflydude
This is the official Detroit Tigers beat, and it starts off with a big story. On October 29th, the Detroit Tigers traded away two of their future stars P Jair Jurrjens and Gorkys Hernandez for Atlanta Braves SS, Edgar Renteria.
As much as I enjoyed watching Jair Jurrjens pitch in the 2007 season, and as much as I wanted to see Gorkys Hernandez develop as a player, Renteria is not a bad pick up for the Tigers. Before the acquisition of Edgar Renteria, the everyday shortstop for the Tigers was Carlos Guillen. Don't get me wrong, Guillen was definently an offensive threat but that isn't what caused the Tigers to pick up Renteria. Guillen's defense was horendous. He finished the season with 28 errors. Guillen lacked the range of an everyday shortstop and he was held to minimum range due to his aging knees. Around the last month of the season, Guillen started seeing more time at first base, replacing their regular first baseman, Sean Casey. At first base, Guillen didn't make an error. During that time, the Tigers had Ramon Santiago at SS. He showed off his defensive skills but he couldn't be an everyday SS especially with his batting stats.
But...
There are some goods and bads to getting Renteria.
The goods...
Renteria has proven that he is a great player. He has won the Silver Slugger Award 3 times and he made the All Star team 5 times. Carlos Guillen asked the front office to get a Gold Glove shortstop if he moved to first base, and sure enough, Dave Dombrowski made that promise and picked up Renteria who has won a Gold Glove twice in his career. Renteria knows what its like to win. He was a part of the 1997 Florida Marlins when they won World Series. On that team was Gary Sheffield and Jim Leyland, who are with the Tigers now. Having the three of them be together again will bring great chemistry in the clubhouse. Renteria doesn't really have a lot of power with 117 home runs, but he still is a career .291 hitter.
Last year was probably the best year he has ever had as an MLB player, despite his injuries. With the Atlanta Braves in 2007, he hit .332 which was 4th in the National League and he had 12 home runs. There is no doubt that Renteria will be a big help in the Detroit lineup.
The doubts...
Edgar Renteria has not had great success when he played in the [[American League]]. When he played for the Boston Red Sox, he hit .276 with 8 home runs, but that isn't what was bad. He had 30 errors, but this is all just one season. Every player is bound to have a bad season once in a while.
There was nothing really all that bad about picking Edgar Renteria. The bad thing about this trade was the players that they gave up in the trade.
Jair Jurrjens is a potential All Star. When the Tigers were struggling, they called up pitcher, Jair Jurrjens. Out of nowhere, the undrafted Jurrjens came out and showed his best stuff when he came to the mound. The 21 year old from the Netherlands made his MLB debut on August 15, 2007 against the Cleveland Indians, getting the win in 6 IP. It was in the middle of a playoff race at that.
Don't let his 4.70 ERA fool you.
The kid has great stuff and he will be a dominant pitcher in the future, I promise you that. The Tigers may need pitching in the future. Kenny Rogers is aging and with that, we don't know how much more of Rogers we'll see. He spent most of the time injured this past season. Nate Robertson is also questionable as his future as a Tiger. He is a career .500 pitcher and though he comes out with good stuff in some games, he doesn't look good, futurewise in a Tigers uniform. Jurrgens is a potential 2, 3 starter in a teams pitching rotation.
Gorkys Hernandez is said to be a 5 tool player. I haven't seen the kid play but people who have, said that he may be the 2nd coming of Willie Mays. Yeah, I know. Sounds a little crazy to ya doesn't it? It might sound a little crazy but people who have seen him are amazed at what he can do. In Low Class A West Michigan, he only hit .293 with 4 home runs. However, he stole 54 bases in 65 attempts. If there is something that the Tigers need, it is speed. The only quick players on the Tigers squad is Curtis Granderson and Cameron Maybin. Hernandez will still probably spend a lot of time in the minors, but he is a promising player for the Braves in the future.
Overall, the acquisition of Edgar Renteria was a great deal. Despite giving up two potential stars, the Tigers still have depth in the minors. OF Cameron Maybin and P Rick Porcello are players who can easily fill in those spots for the Tigers, if they end up missing Jair Jurrjens and Gorkys Hernandez. So the answer to the question is YES!!! It was definetly worth it to go after Edgar Renteria.
Tigers Beat
Oct.30.07
