Nook

Logan

He needs to work on his bunting and put his speed to better use. Notwithstanding the fact that the switch-hitting Logan is hitting .280 overall, he must improve his batting average against right-handed pitching. The Tigers would also like to see him hit the weight room in the off-season.

Both hits came off lefties. The switch-hitting Logan has been far more productive against southpaws in his career, which is another reason why he should be platooning with Ryan Church in center field instead of playing regularly. The hits gave him his first three RBI in his 10 games for the Nats.

Logan, 34, is at the Winter Meetings talking to clubs. “I didn’t shut it down,” Logan said. “They shut me down. I still run about same.” The outfielder last played in the majors in 2007 and last played anywhere in independent ball in 2010.

Giving Infante occasional starts at shortstop and third base to keep Carlos Guillen and Brandon Inge fresh is a good idea. Playing Logan more than absolutely necessary wouldn’t be. Leyland indicated that Logan, a .264/.316/.338 hitter in 455 career at-bats, and Curtis Granderson could split time. We doubt it will happen for any length of time, but perhaps the threat will make Granderson a better value pick.

Even after today his isolated power (slugging percentage minus batting average) is .089, the 13th worst among the 173 batters who qualify for the batting title.

Logan was hitless in his last five games, but Gomez went 0-for-3 with a walk in his place. Manager Alan Trammell said Logan would be back in the starting lineup tomorrow.

Manager Alan Trammell might start batting Logan first against lefties and ninth against righties. He’s hit .380 versus lefties and .262 against righties since being called up last year.

Logan has spent some time batting leadoff, but it’s usually because one of the usual top-of-the-order hitters has had the day off. Now it looks like it might be a permanent switch, at least against left-handers. Logan is followed in the lineup by Brandon Inge, Ivan Rodriguez, Carlos Guillen, Rondell White and Dmitri Young.

Craig Monroe played left and homered. Believe it or not, Tigers manager Alan Trammell is giving some thought to using Logan as his center fielder in spacious Comerica Park and Monroe at the position in road games, as if that would somehow make more sense than letting the the groundball-flyball tendencies of the starting pitcher decide things. Logan doesn’t belong in the majors as anything more than a defensive replacement and pinch-runner. We still expect Monroe to be the primary center fielder.

Logan is hitting .117 (7-for-60) over his last 20 games. How much longer until we see prospect Curtis Granderson patrolling center field in Detroit?