Tigers' Biggest Hole Is Atop the Order

INDIANAPOLIS -- The three-team trade that sent Curtis Granderson to the Yankees changes the makeup of the Tigers in several ways. They bolstered their bullpen, swapped out a pitcher in the starting rotation, lose Granderson's power and defense and lose a great clubhouse guy.

Still, in listening to Jim Leyland address the media Wednesday, it was apparent how he thinks this move most affects the face of the Detroit Tigers: the leadoff spot in the batting order.

Curtis Granderson led off 130 times last season. Placido Polanco -- who normally batted second -- is also gone. The Tigers don't have any prototypical leadoff hitters left. Ryan Raburn and his .359 on-base percentage would seem to make some sense, but Leyland doesn't think "that way."

"As most of you guys know, I'm not into the on-base stuff as much as some of the other guys," Leyland said of how he chooses a leadoff hitter. "I think during the course of the game there's enough guys on base. I like the guys that can score from first and (the guys who) knock them in. If you look at a nine-inning game normally, the combination of both teams, there's been enough guys out there. The key is to get them home, you know. Stopping at third is not going to score obviously."

So, considering Raburn has some punch and doesn't have blazing speed, it sounds like he'll be hitting lower in the order. You aren't leading off with a catcher, Magglio Ordonez, Brandon Inge, Adam Everett or Miguel Cabrera. So who will be batting leadoff for the Tigers, unless they make a significant addition with a bonafide leadoff hitter?

"I don't have any clue right now who I would lead off," Leyland answered. "I have no idea to be honest with you. We're going to have to be a little creative."

In place of Polanco and Granderson will likely be rookies Scott Sizemore (second base) and Austin Jackson, the latter of whom was acquired in the blockbuster Granderson trade. Taking all things into account, one of these two would have to lead off for the Tigers if the season started today. And let's just say it's going to be Jackson.

"I doubt very much whether that would be a good situation for Sizemore. I can promise you today that Sizemore will not be our lead-off hitter," Leyland definitively stated.

"I mean, unless we trade him for Grady Sizemore ... " Leyland exclaimed in jest. He completely reiterated the remark was a joke with a huge smile on his face in hopes to avoid tampering charges from some who may not have a sense of humor.

Still, the leadoff issue for the Tigers is not a laughing matter as things currently stand and Leyland knows it. Jackson had a .354 on-base percentage in Triple-A last season, which isn't great. But we also know Leyland really cares more about speed and Jackson has that -- having stolen 24 bases.

The main issue in this case would be the pressure of leading off a game who a guy who has never set foot in a major league batter's box. Leyland said he's done it before with an exception to the rule (of not using rookies in the leadoff spot) and that was Barry Bonds. It's pretty safe to say Jackson isn't Bonds.

Of course, Leyland points out, this might not be that huge a deal after all.

"He really only technically leads off once for sure."

Well, that's true, but it's pretty safe to say you need someone to get on base in front of run-producers like Cabrera and Ordonez (who Leyland said will "knock in 90, for sure").

And right now it looks like those two will be stepping in the box with the bases empty quite often.