Talk about killing three birds with one stone.
        Jim Leyland wanted to carry an extra outfielder who was capable of backing up Curtis Granderson in center field, just in case.
        Leyland also wanted to have a left handed hitter on his bench.
        And everybody knows the Tigers could use more speed on the base paths.
        Enter Josh Anderson, who was acquired Monday in a deal -- or should I say, steal -- with the Atlanta Braves.
        All that the Tigers had to give up was side-arming minor league relief pitcher Rudy Darrow.
        Anderson, who is 26, can play all three outfield positions,  including center. In fact, he was a candidate to be the Braves’ starting center fielder this season until he lost out to Atlanta’s Jordan Schafer.
        Anderson bats left handed. He hit .294 in 40 games with the Braves last year.
        And he can fly. Anderson stole 42 bases in 49 tries at Triple-A Richmond last season and  has swiped 280 bases in his minor league career. In his 40 games with the Braves last season, he stole 10 bases.
        The Tigers haven’t possessed that kind of speed and that much of a threat on the base paths since Alex Sanchez (2003-04) and Nook Logan (2005).
        Anderson’s arrival, of course, was not such news for the left hand hitting Jeff Larish, versatile Ryan Raburn and center field candidate Brent Clevlen, all of whom are still hoping to make the team this spring.