http://www.yardbarker.com/rss/player/509 Recent articles about Placido Polanco en-us I think we all want our closers to be just a little bit insane. There's something about the position--the pressure, the tension, the occasional self-flagellation involved--for which many reasonable, level-headed pitchers just aren't fit. Pitchers on the verge of lunacy just seem a little better-equipped to be the one to take the ball in the ninth inning. As with many things in life, however, there's a rather fine line between "a little bit insane" and "certified wa... Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Today_in_Philly_Sports_History_Ugie_Arrested_for_MacheteGasoline_Attack_2005/1518175 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Today_in_Philly_Sports_History_Ugie_Arrested_for_MacheteGasoline_Attack_2005/1518175 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Today_in_Philly_Sports_History_Ugie_Arrested_for_MacheteGasoline_Attack_2005/1518175 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/2/1/216a13e1768bdc4646d664f0b492c57bdca53bd7/small/Urbina_takes_over_93f5.jpg The Tigers already removed Marcus Thames and Matt Treanor from the roster today, making both players free agents, and now Lynn Henning of The Detroit News has some more hot stove talk for us... 
 
 GM Dave Dombrowski replied "Nothing hot and heavy" when asked if there was any trade dialogue ongoing. 
 The Tigers would "likely bite on an affordable two-year deal" for Fernando Rodney, but would probably not want to gamble on anything longer. 
 Brandon Lyo... Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:21:03 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Tigers_Talk_Rodney_Lyon_Polanco_Everett/1516248 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Tigers_Talk_Rodney_Lyon_Polanco_Everett/1516248 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Tigers_Talk_Rodney_Lyon_Polanco_Everett/1516248 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/e/1e233aefee8b722cf9ec6a3047fad601ed3cdf22/small/PicImg_RangersTigers_69cd.jpg More photos » by Duane Burleson - AP Placido Polanco was one of five Detroit Tigers to file for free agency on Thursday, the first day eligible players could do so. Browse more photos » With the conclusion of the World Series, players can now file for free agency.  Placido Polanco, Adam Everett, Fernando Rodney, Aubrey Huff, and Jarrod Washburn did so Thursday.  The only player eligible for free agency who didn't file ... Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:25:17 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Five_Detroit_Tigers_File_For_Free_Agency/1509791 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Five_Detroit_Tigers_File_For_Free_Agency/1509791 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Five_Detroit_Tigers_File_For_Free_Agency/1509791 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/a/aa67776ab904f69d6b2234b57d974965965bf6a4/small/Detroit_Tigers_v_c525.jpg   At The Detroit Tigers Weblog, Bill Ferris looks at the team's 40-man roster, which currently has 44 players on it (due to some being protected on the disabled list).  So the Tigers have some decisions to make, especially as some minor leaguers will need to be protected.  Bill speculates who the first cuts will likely be.   The San Francisco Giants re-signing second baseman Freddy Sanchez last week seemed like a harmless enough transaction.  But Tiger Geist ... Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:50:11 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Morning_Prowl_40_Man_Roster_Decisions_Placido_Polancos_Market_Value_and_Van_Slykes_Replacement/1497854 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Morning_Prowl_40_Man_Roster_Decisions_Placido_Polancos_Market_Value_and_Van_Slykes_Replacement/1497854 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Morning_Prowl_40_Man_Roster_Decisions_Placido_Polancos_Market_Value_and_Van_Slykes_Replacement/1497854 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/0/d0ffac8a69f479b0f03a3d41e49b47ceb87a64b4/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f387094.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF193FAC41A6BBF9596D5128520A3FCBCEF4E.jpg Perhaps Scott Sizemore senses the doubts in Tiger Town as to whether or not he can take over for Placido Polanco next season at second base.  Or maybe he was disappointed over not being one of the Tigers' September call-ups, and is taking out that frustration now.  Whatever the reason, Sizemore is crushing the ball in the Arizona Fall League so far.  Okay, he hasn't hit for average in three games, batting just .250.  But he's also made sure those hits coun... Sat, 17 Oct 2009 10:30:14 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Sizemores_a_Smash_in_Arizona_Fall_League/1385649 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Sizemores_a_Smash_in_Arizona_Fall_League/1385649 More photos » by Carlos Osorio - AP 11 days ago: Detroit Tigers Detroit Tigers Placido Polanco, front, and Miguel Cabrera sit in the dugout as teammates head back to the locker room after their 5-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox in a baseball game in Detroit, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Browse more photos » Even a week later, people still want to talk about the Detroit Tigers'... Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:47:05 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/BYB_Talks_to_Drunk_Jays_Fans_and_The_Sports_Show_Live/1370884 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/BYB_Talks_to_Drunk_Jays_Fans_and_The_Sports_Show_Live/1370884 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/BYB_Talks_to_Drunk_Jays_Fans_and_The_Sports_Show_Live/1370884 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/f/cf1cd71680bb66b5f5eb2b411fddfe526b3c7541/small/Placido_Polanco_63_0f57.jpg We recently took a look at how Placido Polanco has been as good as Lee, Ramirez and Soriano in his career. It’s quite surprising, but it is true. Polanco is a free agent this winter. He signed a 4-year deal for $18 million with the Tigers after the 2005 season. His CHONE projection prior to this season was .303/.350/.406. He’s hit .287/.334/.402. That’s about league average, but Polanco is going to turn 34 years old in 8 days so his true skill level isn’t goi... Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:00:21 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Stumping_for_Placido_Polanco/1293632 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Stumping_for_Placido_Polanco/1293632 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Stumping_for_Placido_Polanco/1293632 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/0/b09af56b5506c3077e2c73e09b8df4e2373b43d0/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f387090.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF193FAC41A6BBF9596D515A2F23D83407BBB.jpg by Duane Burleson - AP Is Placido Polanco being mobbed by teammates for driving in the winning run for a walk-off 4-3 victory over the Indians Thursday afternoon? Or is the poor guy just being mugged? You make the call. View full size photo uploaded September 3, 2009 For all the hand-wringing over the Minnesota Twins still being too close for comfort in the AL Central race (though they are now five games out of first plac... Thu, 03 Sep 2009 20:15:35 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/The_Tribes_Been_Broken_Tigers_4_Indians_3/1110730 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/The_Tribes_Been_Broken_Tigers_4_Indians_3/1110730 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/The_Tribes_Been_Broken_Tigers_4_Indians_3/1110730 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/8/18a1e2a0a572c455c30386a546485cbc97fe7b95/small/Placido_Polanco_63_240f.jpg DETROIT(AP) Placido Polanco hit a three-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning, lifting the Detroit Tigers to a 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. Sun, 30 Aug 2009 15:11:21 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Polanco_Tigers_rally_to_give_Verlander_15th_win/1083028 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Polanco_Tigers_rally_to_give_Verlander_15th_win/1083028 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Polanco_Tigers_rally_to_give_Verlander_15th_win/1083028 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/4/34284adfab7baa626348a9e5392494dc9a94166e/small/PicImg_MLB_MAR_17_f8c3.jpg   First, a mea culpa to It's Just Sports.  In yesterday's post about the arguments that are being made for Miguel Cabrera as AL MVP, I neglected to include Patrick Hayes' case, which was presented last week - before anyone else addressed BigMig's candidacy.  (And I had it on my list of things to link to.) So here's a link to that thoroughly researched post.  Apologies to you, Patrick.   Cabrera's MVP chances were also the main topic in a ... Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:00:21 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Morning_Prowl_More_Love_For_Miggy_Those_Running_Rays_the_Numbers_6_and_19_and_the_Polanco_Dilemma/1066365 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Morning_Prowl_More_Love_For_Miggy_Those_Running_Rays_the_Numbers_6_and_19_and_the_Polanco_Dilemma/1066365 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Morning_Prowl_More_Love_For_Miggy_Those_Running_Rays_the_Numbers_6_and_19_and_the_Polanco_Dilemma/1066365 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/a/eaae3a03783a6a2e24705ed0ffa1c4f198a82301/small/PicImg_MLB_MAR_17_c103.jpg It's been a while since I've posted something like this.  Everything is relative to average, except for Total RAR which uses zero as replacement level.  Replacement runs (blue) are flipped underneath the zero line to separate the lines and because they represent where a replacement level player in the same number of PAs would fall relative to average. Placido Polanco has beeen average or above in every category except batting in 2006.  He was worth about 1.5 win... Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:00:19 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Graph_of_the_Day_Placido_Polanco_Mr_Underrated/695935 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Graph_of_the_Day_Placido_Polanco_Mr_Underrated/695935 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Graph_of_the_Day_Placido_Polanco_Mr_Underrated/695935 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/f/cf1cd71680bb66b5f5eb2b411fddfe526b3c7541/small/Placido_Polanco_63_0f57.jpg A collection of Jack O'Lanterns dedicated to teams and players. Logos, portraits, mascots, and one goofy ass fan. Wed, 31 Oct 2007 13:23:19 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/MLB_Jack_O_Lanterns/33758 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/MLB_Jack_O_Lanterns/33758 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/MLB_Jack_O_Lanterns/33758 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/e/ae19e7d59819c9c43b9b60a464107ab34124efb9/small/Pumpkin_-_NY_Yankees_2.jpg