March 26, 2013; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Don Kelly (32) hits a double during the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Fans weren’t necessarily happy with how Jim Leyland managed the ninth inning yesterday – in particular his leaving Phil Coke in the game to face right handed hitter – and they’re likely not to be happy today after seeing the lineup (as presented by MLive’s James Schmehl):

Detroit Tigers
1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Torii Hunter, RF
3. Miguel Cabrera, 3B
4. Prince Fielder, 1B
5. Victor Martinez, DH
6. Don Kelly, LF
7. Jhonny Peralta, SS
8. Alex Avila, C
9. Omar Infante, 2B

It’s only the third game of the season – and the first on back-to-back days – and we’re already seeing a regular lifted for a bench guy. And it’s not just any bench guy, it’s most people’s least favorite bench guy, Don Kelly. And it’s not just everyone’s least favorite bench guy, Don Kelly, it’s everyone’s least favorite bench guy, Don Kelly, batting sixth!

It’s true that Andy Dirks hasn’t been lighting the world on fire at the plate yet – he has zero hits and just one walk in eight plate appearances – and he hasn’t been spectacular in the field either, but he’s certainly a better option than Don Kelly. If his knee is bothering him, that’s one thing, but do we really need to give him a day off on day three?

There’s really no reason for Kelly to be hitting above number eight or nine anyway. Leyland’s M.O. has always been to insert the substitute in the lineup spot of the player he’s replacing, but swapping him for Avila in the six and eight spots shouldn’t throw the team out of whack. Then again, lineup order has been shown to be relatively meaningless in one-game settings. We’re probably only talking small fractions of a run in expected value, but it’s stuff like this that Leyland does that (understandably) grinds fans’ gears.

• Don Kelly over Quintin Berry
• The Tigers’ lack of a closer
• The World Baseball Classic

The MCB podcast will be coming at you each and every Thursday this season and if you have any questions or topics you’d like to hear discussed, send us a tweet to @MCB_Tigers.

MCB Podcast #3: Real Baseball is Here

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February 22, 2013; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers outfielder Quintin Berry (52) during spring training against the Atlanta Braves at Disney Wide World of Sports complex, Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Without actually announcing the final bench spots, the Detroit Tigers pretty much announced who would get the final bench spots. Quintin Berry was informed today that he would begin the season in the minor leagues.

Despite the asset of his speed, the Tigers optioned outfielder Quintin Berry to Triple A Toledo on Wednesday morning.

With the move, the Tigers got down to 28 players in camp – three over the limit for their Monday opener in Minnesota.

Berry does have outstanding speed, and would make for a terrific pinch runner, but that’s really all he brings to the table. He burst onto the scene last year in late May – performing fabulously while Austin Jackson was injured – but struggled mightily down the stretch. His final batting line wasn’t good, but it also wasn’t completely terrible for a speed guy (.258/.330/.354), but in July, August, and September those numbers fell to .224/.285/.312. After his first hot month, he really didn’t hit a lick, and speed doesn’t play if you can’t reach base.

With the outfield set, Berry would have been relegated to pinch-running duty. That’s a spot where he could have brought real value (say, running for Victor Martinez in the eighth or ninth inning), but it’s not a spot you need filled every day (or even most days).

All indications are that Don Kelly will get the spot. He’s not the dynamic runner that Berry is, but he could also run for V-Mart and be a big improvement. Kelly also brings as-good-or-better outfield defensive ability, a similarly-abled bat, and the ability to play some infield as well.

I think trying to figure out who will provide more wins between the two would be a lot like splitting the tiniest of hairs – you could understand them going either way – but flexibility with bench position players is a nice luxury to have, and it’s Kelly that gives them that.