Time to cut Jake?

[Michael W]

After today's game, Jake Rogers' OPS is down to ..441.  No Tigers' catcher in the prior ten years, who got at least 50 PA, has had an OPS below .500 - except Rogers himself in 2019.  

Here are the worst hitting catchers for the Tigers since 2016.

Year   Player         PA    OPS

2026   J. Rogers      90    .441

2019   J. Rogers     128    .481

2024   D. Dingler     87    .505

2020   G. Greiner     55    .515

2023   E. Haase      282    .530

2023   C. Kelly       59    .540

2022   T. Barnhart   308    .554

Interestingly, these more mostly from the last few seasons.  It makes one miss James McCann.  

Meanwhile, Eduardo Valencia is pretty hot at Toledo.  He might be a more useful player as a pinch hitting option.

Michael

[Paul Meloche]

Dingler was an offensive sinkhole only two years ago. I think we should hang onto Rogers so he’ll be an all star in 2028. 🤣

Paul M.

On Jul 5, 2026, at 3:47 PM, Michael W <miw...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Peter Welch]

The Tigers still really like Rogers' defense and game-calling/leadership skills behind the plate.  I don't think he's going anywhere unless they have an alternative #2 catcher who is as good defensively as Rogers and can hit better than Rogers.  The Tigers don't have that in Toledo or Erie. 

Valencia is a weak defensive catcher by most accounts (and probably better suited for 1B/DH), and the other possibility in Toledo is veteran Tomas Nido, who probably isn't any better than Rogers.  Thayron Liranzo in AA is currently injured and barely hits above the Mendoza Line in AA so he's not ready.

I would still like to see the Tigers call up Valencia to replace Jahmai Jones as a righty DH/pinch-hitting option, who can also spell Tork at 1B sometimes, and be an emergency catcher if needed.  Valencia is on the 40-man roster so they won't need to drop anyone from the 40-man to make room for him.

Peter

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[Jeffrey Withey]

Rogers only plays once a week and he is still good defensively. The absence of offense from C once a week doesn’t really matter. If we brought anyone else up they wouldn’t get any PT either being that Dingler is arguably the best player on the team. 

Jeff

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[Peter Welch]

I know most teams have crappy-hitting #2 catchers, but it still would be nice to have a better hitting #2 catcher than Rogers when Dingler is playing DH or having a day off.   We have enough sinkholes in our lineup already, so when Rogers plays it just makes the lineup even weaker.

I'm also a little worried Dingler might wear down in the 2^nd half.  We'll see.

Peter

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[Michael W]

Rogers has 25% as many at bats as Dingler, and Dingler also sees time at DH.  So he's playing more than once per week. 

And we shouldn't confuse how much Rogers actually plays with how much he could play were he any good. We need right-handed hitting better than what Jones and Veirling are giving us.  Right now, there's no point using Rogers as a pinch hitter, but there's no doubt this team would be better with Lance Parrish as the back-up - even if Dingler played most days.

Michael

PS: Yes, I know Lance is an old man now - you know what I mean.

[Peter Welch]

I'd take my chances with Valencia as the #2 catcher for his offensive potential, but the Tigers probably don't see it that way.  They value Rogers' defensive/leadership abilities and don't really care if he doesn't hit.  You can argue all day about whether Rogers' defensive/leadership abilities are a net positive for the pitching staff, but Hinch and Harris seem to think so.

Peter

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[Peter Welch]

Or you carry Dingler, Rogers and Valencia.   Most modern teams don't carry 3 catchers, though.

Peter

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[Michael W]

Or you could make Rogers a coach. 

Michael