Coming right out of left field, this rookie is causing Jim Leyland some sleepless nights.
Here’s why. The only way to keep him is to follow the MLB’s Rule Five guidline to keep
him on the bench all year! JEFF KOBERNUS, a $50,000 steal, is proudly wearing the English
“D” every which way but loose and causing Dave Dombrowsky to sheepishly grin from his cat
bird seat behind the hitting cage.
The Washington Nationals saw something good in this 6’2″, 210 pound second baseman playing
for the University of California. So, in 2009 in the second round they drafted him and he
has performed admirably in the Nat’s farm system. But, Tiger scouts were watching and when
he became available to the Red Sox the Sox took him as a favor to the Tigers. In turn the
Tigers sent a minor leaguer to the Red Sox. What has upset the fifth rule apple cart is Jeff’s
play. He apparently knows the rules and is playing his guts out to make it to Detroit. He
is currently hitting .316 and also a little known fact is that in the last two years he has
stolen 95 bases! The kid can run, which will help him on the Kelly,Garcia, Worth, Michado
and Boesch sweepstakes. None of them can run like Kobernus. And Leyland only has a few spots
left.
So there you have it. a great story unfolding in Lakeland. Will JEFF KOBERNUS prove that just
maybe the Washington Nationals made one of the biggest blunders of all time. $50,000 for
this kid is blasphemy in today’s MLB market place.
GO FOR IT JEFF, WE’RE ALL WITH YOU!
Posted by Bobby on 3-2-13…GO CATS!
We’ll see about Kobernus, Bobby, we’ll see … It’s a long shot!
With Fielder and Cabrera set at the corners, and Infante and Peralta up the middle, where does Kobernus fit? Certainly not as a regular. Is he a utility guy in the infield? Does that mean Worth is out? I haven’t been paying much attention yet – but this sounds like a nice problem to have.
J.R…your comment, as always, is one that brings the game to a timeout..It does boil down to
decision to probably keep him on the bench in front of Worth….although he can play a corner
outfield spot. But that’s a long shot at best. So, as of today the Tigers will probably keep him as a
backup 2nd baseman because he’s much better with the stick than Worth and also, we can’t
forget the rule five influence. $50,000 for a bonafide MLB player, if he has the tools. Yes, Leyland
and Dombrowski welcome these WIN/WIN situations.