Detroit Tigers Links: Moya hot on the farm, Ausmus tested, Magglio redux & Avila concussion relief

Mar 10, 2014; Jupiter, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Steven Moya (30) connects for a 2 rbi triple against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium. The Tigers defeated the Cardinals 17-5. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Could Detroit Tigers Prospect Steven Moya Be This Year’s Avisail Garcia? – Brad Faber, Rant Sports

"In late August of 2012, the Detroit Tigers pulled a 21-year-old outfielder named Avisail Garcia straight up from Double-A Erie, which may have been a response to right fielder Brennan Boesch‘s season-long cold streak. Garcia would hit .319 in 23 games for the Tigers, and he would eventually go on to become a key part of the Tigers’ 2012 postseason roster. Garcia has since been traded to the Chicago White Sox in part of a three-way deal that brought Jose Iglesias to the Tigers.Two years after 2012, although it is still probably a long shot, the Tigers have another young outfielder in Double-A who could conceivably find himself playing in the Motor City before all is said and done in 2014. His name is Steven Moya.If Dirks struggles upon his return, and Moya remains red-hot in Double-A, it will be interesting to see if the Tigers will consider looking to him for a much-needed left-handed bat sometime down the road. It is very likely that the Tigers still believe that Moya is a little too raw for the big leagues at the moment, but stranger things have happened."

Ironically, it might be Moya’s name, just like Garcia a year ago, that will come up in trade talks should the Detroit Tigers be looking for some trade deadline help.

Brad Ausmus tested in Detroit Tigers’ rough patch – Drew Sharp, USA Today

"Ausmus knew he would get tested as a first-time major league manager. But he probably didn’t think it would happen this quickly with him trapped in a confluence of irregularities and inconsistencies that could throw the Detroit Tigers’ playoff aspirations into peril should this downhill rolling snowball gain speed and strength.Ausmus assured all that he knows he has a good team despite a 4-13 record in the past 17 games. But Ausmus couldn’t mask an uncharacteristically sober demeanor that definitely conveyed serious concern, if not panic over the Detroit Tigers’ inability to execute basic, fundamental baseball."

The Tigers looked better against Boston this weekend. It will remain to be seen if that’s because Boston is not a very good team right now, or the Tigers are finally getting over their funk.

MLB draft update: Detroit Tigers select son of Magglio Ordonez in 38th round – Chris Iott, MLive

"On Saturday, the Tigers selected Magglio Ordonez, the son of former Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordonez, with the 1,150th pick in the draft. Ordonez is a first baseman out of American Heritage School in Florida. He is listed at 6 feet, 1 inch tall and 200 pounds."

Iott also lists the veritable cast of thousands the Tigers drafted from Thursday through Saturday.

‘Goofy’ looking device helps Detroit Tigers’ Alex Avila recover quickly from mild concussion – Brendan Savage, MLive

"The Tigers got a prototype of the Cryohelmet late last season and Avila wore it Friday night after getting knocked out of the game when David Ortiz‘s bat hit him as the Red Sox slugger was following through on a swing.The Cyrohelmet website says the device is “a revolutionary new product designed for head injuries” but the concept is pretty simple – it’s like an ice pack, according to Avila.“The idea behind it is icing a bruise basically,” Avila said before Sunday’s game against the Red Sox. “Anytime I was sick when I was a kid my mom would always put a cold towel (on my head) and I always s felt better."

Alex Avila just can’t seem to catch a break, but one thing is for sure, even when he’s not hitting, the Tigers are better team when he’s behind the plate.

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