Clete Thomas

Can someone please tell me what Jim Leyland sees in Clete Thomas that I don't?  

Today was Clete's 5th game in a row starting in the outfield, proving that Jim intends on him being an everyday player and not just a situational left handed bat.  Personally, I don't get it.  He is hitting .333 right now, but 4 of those hits were in one game, and since them he has gone 2 for 14.  

Granted, that nobody in the Tigers lineup is really "lighting it up," but I still do not see the justification of starting Clete every day.

The reason I don't get it is because Clete gets thrown into an everyday role immediately, while Marcus Thames got little to no at bats before hitting the DL.  Another being that Jeff Larish also has not even been given the same opportunity that Clete has.  I understand that Clete is a much better outfielder than either Marcus Thames, Magglio Ordonez, or Jeff Larish, but that alone does not seem to justify Clete's big playing time or his position in the batting order (3rd).

There are several moves that are more logical than making Clete an everyday player fresh from AAA.  First, Leyland could platoon Raburn, Larish, and Thomas.  Larish supposedly can play the corner outfield positions, even though we have never seen him do so this year.  On the days when facing a right handed pitcher, my lineup and positions would look like this.

1.  Anderson - LF

2.  Polonco - 2B

3.  Granderson - CF

4.  Cabrera - 1B

5.  Larish - DH/RF

6.  Ordonez - DH/RF

7.  Inge - 3B

8.  Laird - C

9.  Everett/Santiago - SS

When facing a left-handed pitcher my lineup would look like this:

1.  Granderson - CF

2.  Polonco - 2B

3.  Ordonez - RF

4.  Cabrera - 1B

5.  Larish - DH

6.  Inge - 3B

7.  Laird - C

8.  Thomas/Anderson - LF

9.  Everett - SS

For the first time in ages, the Tigers are loaded with lefty bats.  Temporarily so, until Guillen and Thames come back.  But, Larish has been making more with his at-bats than Thomas has and I think he should be getting the vast majority of the playing time.  Plus, what are the Tigers waiting for?  Larish certainly isn't going to be useful to the Tigers as a first baseman, that spot is pretty much locked down for the next 7 years.  He would be far more useful as a corner outfielder or designated hitter.  And, lastly, Larish has far more talent than Thomas has, and I think that the most talent should be played most.