Slow Tigers

After reading Josh Worn's post about how slow the Tigers are on the base paths, I can't help but wonder as well how they would do with Andy Dirks near the top of the order and being an active base stealer.  I know it's just a small sample size, but five for seven last year might be a glimpse into a bright future for him.  I would want to see him play a full year before I start campaigning for him to be a number two hitter, but I would like to see him at the bottom of the order and running the bases.  His batting average doesn't turn heads at all.  His on base percentage isn't much better, but the guy has a great baseball head.  He understands the game and what needs to be done.  I've said it before, and I say it again, I am a big believer in Dirks.  While he may not have all the talents to be an everyday starter yet (!), I think he has sound skills to keep him in the outfield rotation.  Plus, he played college ball in Wichita and I got to see him play for a few years, so that is always fun to see someone make it to The Show.  

With that said, stealing bases isn't what this team is built for.  More often than not, they'll be driving in runs with their bats and not worried about manufacturing the runs.  But what about the games that are pitcher duels?  Would having an active base stealing plan in place increase the amount of wins this year, or with how slow they have been on the bases, would it just cost them games?  I know that Austin Jackson had a bit of a fall of last year compared to the year before, but he is so fast and such a talent that once he gets his strikeouts under control and raises his on base percentage, I can see him being able to get around thirty stolen bases a year or more.  With the identity that the Tigers have now, it would be difficult to try and change it, as much as Jim Leyland doesn't like it.   







Having some players that can steal bases is great and always fun to see, but isn't more fun to see the balls flying out of the park with the runners still on base and not sitting in the dugout because they got thrown out?