placido polanco

Placido Polanco, just off the disabled list, hit a tying single with two outs in the ninth inning and the Philadelphia Phillies rallied for four runs against wild closer Carlos Marmol to beat the Chicago Cubs 4-1 on Saturday.

It has been a crazy off season for the Detroit Tigers. Gone are 2009 All Stars Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson, along with 2009 Gold Glove winner Placido Polanco.

This move makes no logical sense. Sure the Tigers created a need for a top of the order hitter by trading away Curtis Granderson, and allowing Placido Polanco to leave town.

We were told that these moves were necessary to cut costs and to give young prospects a chance to prove they belonged on the big league club.

In an off-season where Placido Polanco was not offered a contract or arbitration, where both 2009 Detroit Tigers all stars were traded away, and where we were told that the Tigers were going to cut their payroll, comes the news that they offered Johnny Damon a two year, 14 million dollar deal.

This is yet another major strike against Dave Dombrowski, General Manager of the Detroit Tigers. He has let the Tigers' starting second baseman, and 2009 Gold Glove Winner, leave town without even offering him a contract or salary arbitration.

This leaves a huge hole in the middle of the Tigers defensive infield, and a hole at their #2 lineup spot.

The Tigers were afraid that Polanco wanted 8 million dollars a year plus, but signed with the Phillies for far less and to serve as their everyday third baseman.