Detroit Tigers add left handed bat

One of the biggest criticisms fans had with the Detroit Tigers was they did not land a left handed bat at the non waiver trade deadline. Today that is a problem that has been rectified as the Tigers traded Right Handed Pitcher Brett Jacobson to the Baltimore Orioles for left handed hitting Aubrey Huff.

Since this trade happened after the non waiver trade deadline, Huff would have had to been placed on waivers by the Orioles and once no other team claimed him, they were free to work a deal for him.

Huff is a career .284 hitter who is having a down season batting only .253. However he brings three big things to the Tigers. The most important being his .324 batting average with runners in scoring position. Without a doubt this has been one of the biggest problems in the Tigers offense. This lineup fails to drive in runs, and Huff should help in that regard.

Huff can also play first base if Miguel Cabrera struggles, or play a little third base if Brandon Inge needs to take a stint on the disable list. This could also be a move to limit Magglio Ordonez at bats or replace him entirely in a revamped Tiger lineup.

The Tigers have a vested interest in limiting Ordonez since he he reached 500 at bats for the 2009 season a contract clause will take effect paying him 18 million dollars for the 2010 season. Since Magglio doesn’t figure into the Tigers long term plans they would like to be free and clear of him following the current season.