Tigers solve second-base dilemma with Polanco

By Jim Callis
June 8, 2005

With the Phillies needing a second dependable righty reliever and the Tigers seeking a more productive second baseman, the teams were able to solve each other's problem with a Wednesday trade. Detroit picked up Placido Polanco from Philadelphia in exchange for Ugueth Urbina and Ramon Martinez.

Polanco, 29, has hit .316/.376/.418 with three homers and 20 RBIs in 43 games, an upgrade on the production second baseman Omar Infante (.211/.255/.343) has given the Tigers. Though Polanco is mainly a line-drive hitter, he has set career highs in homers in each of the previous three years, progressing from nine to 14 to 17. He makes very good contact, is versatile enough to have played five positions in the majors (four this year) and can steal an occasional base. Eligible for free agency following the 2004 season, Polanco shocked the Phillies by accepting arbitration and eventually agreed on a one-year, $4.6 million contract with another $500,000 in incentives. He's a career .296/.341/.410 hitter with 53 homers and 294 RBIs in 833 games.

Urbina, a 31-year-old righthander, rejoined the Tigers this spring after leaving last September to deal with his mother's kidnapping in Venezuela. He was supposed to set up for free-agent acquisition Troy Percival but resumed the closer's role when Percival went on the disabled list with a forearm injury. Urbina went 1-3, 2.63 with nine saves in 25 games for Detroit, posting a 31-14 strikeout-walk ratio in 27 innings. Opponents have batted .221 with five homers against him. He used to rely on plus velocity, but now he paints the corners with an 88-90 mph fastball to set up his slider and changeup. Urbina, who's making $4 million in 2005 after the Tigers picked up the option on the final season of a two-year deal, will work in front of closer Billy Wagner in Philadelphia. He has a lifetime record of 40-46, 3.39 with 236 saves in 527 games.

Martinez, 32, will serve his usual utility role with the Phillies. He doesn't have a standout tool or excel in any phase of the game, but he's decent to solid across the board. After missing the first month of the season with a sprained left thumb, he hit .268/.300/.286 with no homers and five RBIs in 19 games. Martinez signed a one-year, $1.025 million contract as a free agent in the offseason. He has batted .268/.329/.383 with 26 homers and 175 RBIs in 598 career games.