STATE OF THE TIGERS

Click here for the Detroit Tigers 2010 team page

UPDATE 1/14/09 - 8:33 PM PST
The team inked former Astros and Diamondbacks reliever Jose Valverde to a two-year, $14M deal with a $9M option for 2012. The 30 year-old, who led the NL in saves in 2007 and 2008, missed six weeks last season with a strained calf but still finished with 25 saves and a 2.33 ERA in 52 relief appearances. In addition to Valverde, who will be the closer, the Tigers have added left-handers Phil Coke, Daniel Schlereth, and Brad Thomas to a bullpen that was 10th in the AL last season with a 4.34 ERA and second to last in blown saves with 24.

UPDATE 12/10/09 - 10:58 PM PST
The 2010 Tigers might have taken a step back by trading Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson but the future is starting to look bright, thanks to the players the team received in return. Max Scherzer, who some people think can be a future ace while some think he can be a dominant closer, will be entering just his second full season as a starter. Lefty Daniel Schlereth, a 1st Rd pick of the Diamondbacks in 2008, struggled during his first stint in the majors but dominated in the minors (0.98 ERA, 40 K in 27.2 IP between AA and AAA). Centerfielder Austin Jackson, the top prospect in a very strong Yankees farm system last season, has a chance to be in the 2010 opening day lineup for Detroit. And reliever Phil Coke was the top left-handed reliever on the World Series Champs, although he could compete for a spot in the rotation next season. The 27 year-old lefty made 77 starts in the minors before his promotion to the majors in '08.

UPDATE 12/7/09 - 7:15 PM PST
One left-handed reliever leaves town as Clay Rapada was traded to the Rangers for a PTBNL and one arrives, with Brad Thomas returning to the big leagues after pitching in the Korean Baseball Organization the past two seasons. The 32 year-old last pitched in the states in 2007 after returning from a two-year stint in Japan, pitching in Triple-A Tacoma (Mariners) and posting a 4.87 ERA with 100 K's in 116.1 IP. He owns a career 9.89 ERA in 23.2 IP for the Twins between 2001-03. Zach Simons, 24, was outrighted to the minors to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. The 11th ranked prospect in the organization going into 2009, according to Baseball Prospectus, the reliever had a solid season in the minors (2.73 ERA, 63 K in 69.1 IP between AA and AAA) so the move is a bit of a surprise.

In another move, the team re-signed shortstop Adam Everett to a one-year deal worth $1.55M. While Everett is one of the better defensive shortstops in the league, he's also one of the least productive offensively (.613 OPS in '09). With Everett likely hitting 9th, I am now projecting rookie 2B Scott Sizemore to hit 2nd. Not many other options, in my opinion. Am I missing someone?

UPDATE 11/22/09 - 10:48 AM PST
LINEUP - With CF Curtis Granderson (.249 BA, 30 HR, 20 SB) rumored to be on the trade block and the possible departure of free agents 2B Placido Polanco and SS Adam Everett, this Tigers lineup could have a much different look in 2010. All indications are that rookie Scott Sizemore, who will be 25 on opening day and coming off of a season in which he posted an .889 OPS between AA and AAA, will likely take over at 2B for Polanco. The middle of the lineup is still dangerous, with Magglio Ordonez (.310 BA, 9 HR), Miguel Cabrera (.324 BA, 34 HR), and Carlos Guillen (.242 BA, 11 HR in 81 games) leading the way. Ryan Raburn (.291 BA, 16 HR in 113 games) and Brandon Inge (27 HR, 84 RBI) offer some pop at the bottom of the order.


ROTATION - Justin Verlander (19-9, 3.45 ERA), Edwin Jackson (13-9, 3.62 ERA), and Rick Porcello (14-9, 3.96 ERA) give the Tigers a chance to be one of the better young rotations in the majors. If Jeremy Bonderman can return to health after missing most of 2009, he will be penciled in as the #4 starter. As of now, Nate Robertson, Eddie Bonine, Alfred Figaro, and Armando Galarraga will battle it out for the last rotation spot but don't expect the Tigers to stand pat.


BULLPEN - Closer Fernando Rodney and setup man Brandon Lyon are free agents. The projected closer for 2010, Joel Zumaya, has logged just 88 innings in the majors over the last three seasons because of multiple injuries. Ryan Perry (3.79 ERA in 53 relief appearances) would likely be another option to close games but the 22 year-old was not given much of a chance in late innings during his rookie season (6 holds, 0 Sv). LHP Bobby Seay (6-3, 4.25 ERA, 28 holds) and RHP Zach Miner (7-5, 4.29 ERA, 8 holds) are solid options in middle relief and rookie LHP Fu-Te Ni posted a 2.61 ERA in 36 relief appearances while holding left-handed batters to a .113 BA. The Tigers also have some good young relievers who could make an impact in 2010, with right-handers Casey Fien, Jay Sborz, and Zach Simons all coming off of solid minor league seasons. LHP Clay Rapada had a 2.76 ERA in 42 relief appearances in AAA.