Jim Leyland called Jacque Jones “more of a victim than a culprit.”
        Nevertheless, from the moment Leyland decided Jones’ anemic .165 batting average no longer justified an every day job in left field, the only logical step was to cut him loose.
        What else was Jones going to do for the team?
        Leyland certainly wasn’t going to use him as a late-inning defensive replacement.
        And with that batting average, Jones was the last man Leyland would have called upon to pinch hit.
        What would have been the point of leaving him to collect dust on the bench?
        Better to call up a rookie like Matt Joyce, even though he might not be ready for the Big Show, until the Tigers can sort things out. At least Joyce can fill in around the outfield where needed, pinch hit and even occasionally serve as the designated hitter.
        Plus, releasing Jones after five weeks of the season sent a subtle message to the rest of the players that the front office is not going to stand pat. If things don’t perk up, more changes are inevitable.
        The Tigers made a mistake with Jones. But all it cost them was utility infielder Omar Infante, who wasn’t going to make the team anyway this year, and $3 million (the Chicago Cubs are on the hook for the other $2 million of Jones’ $5 million salary).
        Against the backdrop of the Tigers’ $139 million payroll, it was a gamble well worth taking.