Watch CBS News

Ausmus Compares Iglesias And Kinsler To Trammell And Whitaker

By: Jeff Riger
@riger1984

People are saying a lot of things about the Tigers these days...

Their staff isn't as good, the pen will continue to squander leads and there is also the belief that the window is officially closed for this team or teams in the future to win a World Series.  Despite it only being the spring, fans haven't seemed to be able to let go of last season.  You know, the year where they won the division by just a game and then proceeded to get swept by the Baltimore Orioles in 3 games.

I refuse to make any bold proclamations before actually seeing a regular season game but I really don't think it will be that bad.  Sure the starting rotation is a huge question mark and so is the pen, but the offense and defense should be very good.  In fact I can't remember a Detroit defense coming into a season that instead of being questioned is actually being considered a strong suit of the ball club.

The outfield gets better with the addition of Yoenis Cespedes and Anthony Gose and having Tyler Collins on the bench would help as well.

Behind the plate Detroit has 3 very capable defensive catchers in Alex Avila, James McCann and Brian Holaday.

And in the infield you would have to search long and hard to find a better double play combination that has never played together before than Ian Kinsler and Jose Iglesias.  As you can see that was an attempt at a joke that probably nobody found even slightly funny.

But it's true you know…

Iglesias is thought of as one of the better defensive shortstops in baseball while Kinsler was about as sure-handed as they come in a Tigers uniform last season.  The only thing that is lacking in the combination is playing time which is being taken care of Wednesday.  For the first time in the spring, or ever, Kinsler and Iglesias are playing second base and shortstop next to each other and while it's only spring training, there seems reason to believe that this double play duo will amount in a lot of outs come the 2015 season.

Tigers skipper Brad Ausmus was asked about how good Iglesias and Kinsler could be together and responded "right there with Trammell and Whitaker."

Of course Ausmus was kidding but he does bring up a point.  If Tiger fans are excited about this double play combination, it would be the first time, since Trammell and Whitaker turned two so many times year after year.

Oh and did I mention that both Iglesias and Kinsler wear the same numbers as Tram and Lou?  Granted the current 2nd baseman wears the old shortstops number and vice versa but you know what I mean.

I have no idea if the Tigers will win the Central or if their pitching will be any good?  But, what I think I know after being at spring training for just 3 days is that their double play combination has the ability to be magnificent.

Now that we got that out of the way I guess it's time to think of a nickname for the two.  What?  Too Soon?

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.