MLB: Should Tigers Let Lee Replace Star Second Baseman? Beat Reporter Offers Insight

The Detroit Tigers' infield situation has become increasingly crowded, leading to limited opportunities for promising Taiwanese player Hao-Yu Lee. Lee has started the last seven games on the bench, with his most recent appearance being a full game as a reserve. This lack of playing time, particularly against right-handed pitchers, has drawn attention from beat reporters.

Cody Stavenhagen, a beat reporter for The Athletic covering the Tigers, expressed surprise at Lee's limited role. "I thought Torres would be the designated hitter more often and Lee would be at second base," Stavenhagen said on the "Tiger Territory" podcast. He noted that with Kerry Carpenter still on the injured list, the team's infield alignment has shifted, creating an awkward situation for Lee, especially when compared to the $22 million contract of veteran Gleyber Torres.

Stavenhagen raised concerns about the 29-year-old Torres's performance and physical condition. Torres's sprint speed has dropped from 26.2 feet per second last year to 25.2 this season, placing him in the bottom 8% in the league. Stavenhagen also questioned whether Torres is playing through an oblique injury and recalled his struggles with a sports hernia last year, suggesting these issues are worrying.

These health concerns might also explain why the Tigers did not trade Torres before the deadline. Stavenhagen believes that while many teams need right-handed hitters, they might not be looking for a second baseman specifically, and Torres's limited defensive flexibility could be a red flag for other clubs. Despite Torres's steady hitting approach, his average swing speed has also decreased, and his "fast-swing rate" has plummeted, leading Stavenhagen to suggest that resting Torres and playing Lee might be the solution.

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I thought Torres would be the designated hitter more often and Lee would be at second base, especially with Carpenter still on the injured list.