Detroit Tigers Links: Price focused, Defensive shifts, Machado impresses

Detroit Tigers pitcher David Price takes the hill for the second time this spring, and although fans hope the Tigers are focused on making sure this is not Price’s only spring training with the team, the lefty is focused on pitching.

Price is making $19.75 million dollars this season and will become a free agent this winter.

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The Tigers employed a defensive shift the second-fewest times last season, but they were the most efficient defensive shifting team in the league, saving 3.90 runs per 100 shifts.

While Brad Ausmus is considering more shifting this season, the Tigers will not begin shifting more often just because it is trendy.

Detroit has received its fair share of scares from Jose Iglesias already this spring, but 23-year-old shortstop prospect Dixon Machado is giving the Tigers fans a reason to breathe easy even if Iglesias cannot play every day.

MLB Free Agents Rumors: David Price Focused on Helping Detroit Tigers, Not New Contract – Paul John Rivera, Latin Post

"Price, who will be playing in his eighth season in the league, will become a free agent after the upcoming season. The 29-year-old starting pitcher is scheduled to receive $19.75 million in the final year of his deal before he hits the free-agent market.While recent reports are linking him to a move out of Detroit later this year, Price denied that he has already made up his mind on what he intends to do once his contract runs out and reiterated that he will not think about his future until after the 2015 MLB season.“I haven’t put a whole lot of thought to free agency,” Price told ESPN. “If it happens, I’m fine with it. But I don’t put thought to it on a day-to-day basis. I don’t think about it before I go to bed. I don’t think about it when I wake up. I don’t think about it when I’m driving to the field.”"

Tigers will follow their own data on defensive shifts – Chris McCosky, The Detroit News

"That is fact. According to data compiled by Mark Simon of ESPN Stats and information, the Tigers saved eight runs when they deployed a defensive shift, which was one above the Major League average.Their 3.90 runs saved per 100 shifts was the best in the Major Leagues.But, the Tigers deployed the second-fewest shifts in the league – 294 overall, 205 on balls that were put in play. According to Inside Edge, the Tigers’ 294 shifts saved 13 hits – which ranked 15th in the Major Leagues.That Astros, by comparison, used the shift 1,562 times last season.“It’s going to depend on the hitter, depend on the score, the inning,” Ausmus said. “I am not going to start shifting just because everybody else is shifting. If we think it’s an effective way to win a game, we will do it."

Machado has been ‘most impressive’ guy in Detroit Tigers camp – George Sipple, Detroit Free Press

"With the Tigers being careful to bring Iglesias along slowly this spring, 23-year-old shortstop prospect Dixon Machado has had a chance to play more. Machado, who also made the trip to Clearwater, has appeared in six games and is batting .273 with two RBIs and two runs scored.Asked about Machado this morning, Ausmus said: “We were talking about this in the coaches’ room the other day – he’s probably been the most impressive guy in camp so far."

Next: Detroit Tigers' Joe Nathan: Closer or Bust?

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