Games 56 Through 61 of the Detroit Tigers 2013 Season

Tuesday 6/4/13 Tampa Bay-1  Detroit-10                 
Tuesday Detroit started a three game series against the Tampa Bay Rays, in the first game the Tigers sent Anibal Sanchez to the mound and the Rays sent Matt Moore.  Sanchez got the win, his sixth of the season, going seven innings while giving up one run on four hits, one walk and nine strikeouts.  Luke Putkonen and Phil Coke each threw a perfect inning with Coke fanning one.  Moore took the loss for the Rays, his first, to go with eight wins.  Moore went two innings while giving up six runs on seven hits, six walks and one K.  Four Tampa relievers combined to go six innings while giving up four runs on eight hits, one walk and six strikeouts.  Omar Infante and Prince Fielder led the Tigers offense with Infante going 2-4 with a homerun and three RBI’s and Fielder going 3-4 with a homerun and four RBI’s.  Avisail Garcia was 2-4 with one RBI, while Matt Tuiasosopo was 1-2 with a double and one RBI and Don Kelly was 1-1 with an RBI.  Jhonny Peralta was 3-5 while Miguel Cabrera was 2-4 and Victor Martinez had one hit.  The Tigers collected fifteen hits, seven walks and left twelve men on base.                  


Wednesday 6/5/13 Tampa Bay-3  Detroit-0
The second game of the series between the Rays and Tigers was a completely different game then the first game.  Doug Fister took the mound for Detroit getting his third loss of the season.  The game was scoreless going into the ninth inning before the Rays touched Fister for three runs.  Fister went 8-1/3 innings while giving up three runs on seven hits, one walk and four strikeouts.  Drew Smyly finished the game giving up one hit and fanning one.  Alex Cobb got the start for the Rays, going 7-2/3 scoreless innings while giving up five hits, three walks and seven strikeouts but did not earn a decision.  Joel Peralta Struck out the only batter he faced to end the eighth inning and earned his first win of the season when the Rays scored in the ninth.  Former Tiger Fernando Rodney recorded his twelfth save of the season, giving up one hit, one walk and striking out two.  Alex Avila was 2-3 with a double, the only Tiger with more than one hit and the only one to have an extra base hit.  Andy Dirks, Prince Fielder, Omar Infante and Avisail Garcia each had one hit as the Tigers collected six hits, four walks and left nine men on base.                          
   

Thursday 6/6/13 Tampa Bay-2  Detroit-5
The rubber game of the three game series between Detroit and Tampa on Thursday at Comerica Park featured a battle between Max Scherzer and Roberto Hernandez.  Scherzer, who hadn’t lost going into this start, remained perfect, earning his eighth win of the season.  Scherzer went seven innings while giving up one run on four hits, two walks and nine strikeouts.  Joaquin Benoit threw one inning, giving up one run on two hits and one walk.  Jose Valverde earned his seventh save of the season with a perfect ninth inning were he fanned one.  Victor Martinez led the attack for the Tigers going 2-3 with a homerun and three RBI’s.  Miguel Cabrera was 3-4 with one RBI while Avisail Garcia was 1-1 with an RBI.  Prince Fielder and Jhonny Peralta each had two hits, while Alex Avila, Omar Infante and Don Kelly each had one hit.  The Tigers collected thirteen hits, one walk and left eight men on base.    


Friday 6/7/13 Cleveland-5  Detroit-7
After winning the series against the Rays the Tigers welcomed the Cleveland Indians to Comerica for a three game series.  Cleveland was trailing the Tigers by 2-1/2 games coming into the series so it was a very important three games.  The first game saw Detroit send Justin Verlander to the mound to battle against Ubaldo Jimenez, with Verlander coming out on top earning his eighth win of the season.  Verlander went seven innings while giving up three runs on seven hits, two walks and six strikeouts.  Joaquin Benoit threw a perfect eighth inning before yielding the ball to Jose Valverde for the ninth.  Valverde made it interesting giving up two runs on three hits and one strikeout but held on to cement the win.  This victory put the Tigers up by 3-1/2 games over the Indians in the Central Division. 


Saturday 6/8/13 Cleveland-4  Detroit-6
The second game of the important series between the Indians and the Tigers saw the Indians send Carlos Carrasco to the mound and the Tigers Rick Porcello.  Porcello earned the win, his third of the season, going six innings while giving up two runs on three hits, two walks and seven strikeouts.  Luke Putkonen gave up one run, on a homerun in 2/3 innings of work, while Phil Coke threw 1-1/3 perfect innings fanning two.  Jose Valverde earned his eighth save of the season giving up one hit and one walk but striking out two.  This win gave the Tigers a 4-1/2 game lead over the Indians in the Central.             


Sunday 6/9/13 Cleveland-1  Detroit-4
The Tigers were going for the sweep against the Indians at Comerica on Sunday with Justin Masterson taking the mound for Cleveland and newly signed Jose Alvarez, for the Tigers.  Alvarez, who had be called up from Toledo after Anibal Sanchez was scratched with shoulder tightness, would be sent back to Toledo after the game but made a big impression on the coaching staff.  He was the first Tiger’s rookie to earn a victory, go at least six innings and give up three hits and one run or less since 1916.  Alvarez went six innings while giving up one run on three hits, one walk and seven strikeouts.  Drew Smyly threw two scoreless innings while giving up two hits and two strikeouts.  Joaquin Benoit earned his third save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning where he gave up one hit and struck out two.  Don Kelly had the big hit of the game, a three run homerun in the sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie, it was his only hit of the game.  Alex Avila drove in the other run for the Tigers on a sac fly.  Prince Fielder had two hits, while Andy Dirks, Torii Hunter and Victor Martinez all had one hit.  The Tigers collected six hits, one walk and left six men on base.  The sweep of the Indians put them 5-1/2 games behind the Tigers in the Central Division.   


Upcoming Games:
6/10/13 at Kansas City 8:10(EDT)
6/11/13 at Kansas City 8:10(EDT)
6/12/13 at Kansas City 2:10(EDT)
6/14/13 at Minnesota 8:10(EDT)
6/15/13 at Minnesota 7:15(EDT)
6/16/13 at Minnesota 2:10(EDT)


Cumulative 2013 Stats:

Piching:

	W-L	ERA	G	GS	CG	GF	SH	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	WP
J.Alvarez	1-0	1.50	1	1	0	0	0	0	6.00	3	1	1	1	1	7	0
D.Smyly	2-0	1.93	21	0	0	5	0	1	37.10	28	8	8	1	11	39	2
J.Benoit	1-0	2.00	26	0	0	10	0	3	27.00	19	6	6	2	9	31	0
E.Reed	0-0	2.25	2	0	0	2	0	0	4.00	4	1	1	1	0	1	1
L.Putkonen	1-1	2.57	8	0	0	2	0	0	7.00	5	3	2	1	4	6	1
A.Sanchez	6-5	2.65	12	12	1	0	1	0	78.00	66	26	23	3	19	98	2
D.Downs	0-1	3.13	18	0	0	4	0	0	23.00	18	8	8	3	7	27	1
A.Alburquerque	0-1	3.14	15	0	0	3	0	0	14.10	13	5	5	0	13	26	6
M.Scherzer	8-0	3.24	12	12	0	0	0	0	83.10	54	31	30	6	20	100	2
D.Fister	5-3	3.27	12	12	0	0	0	0	77.00	79	33	28	2	12	66	2
J.Verlander	8-4	3.71	13	13	0	0	0	0	80.00	82	35	33	5	26	93	0
J.Ortega	0-2	3.86	11	0	0	5	0	0	11.20	10	5	5	2	6	10	0
J.Valverde	0-1	4.02	16	0	0	15	0	8	15.20	11	7	7	4	5	15	0
R.Porcello	3-3	4.86	12	11	0	1	0	0	63.00	64	35	34	8	13	54	2
P.Coke	0-3	5.30	18	0	0	8	0	1	18.20	16	11	11	1	6	18	1
B.Rondon	0-0	11.57	3	0	0	1	0	0	2.10	5	3	3	0	2	1	0
O.Dotel	0-0	13.50	6	0	0	1	0	0	4.20	10	7	7	0	4	4	0
B.Villarreal	0-2	20.77	7	0	0	3	0	0	4.10	8	10	10	1	8	6	1

Hitting:

BA	SLG	G	AB	R	H	TB	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	E
D.Fister	.667	.667	12	3	0	2	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0
M.Cabrera	.363	.641	61	245	49	89	157	15	1	17	67	36	41	2	0	5
M.Tuiasosopo	.339	.508	32	59	10	20	30	4	0	2	14	14	15	0	0	0
J.Peralta	.338	.493	56	219	31	74	108	16	0	6	26	17	52	2	1	4
T.Hunter	.303	.407	54	231	33	70	94	16	1	2	24	14	40	1	0	1
O.Infante	.296	.418	55	213	31	63	89	10	2	4	21	13	22	2	1	3
A.Garcia	.291	.473	21	55	9	16	26	2	1	2	10	4	10	0	1	0
B.Pena	.289	.398	22	83	9	24	33	3	0	2	11	4	10	0	1	1
P.Fielder	.289	.509	61	232	33	67	118	15	0	12	51	36	53	0	1	2
A.Jackson	.272	.371	34	151	33	41	56	7	1	2	11	14	33	5	0	1
A.Dirks	.249	.358	53	193	26	48	69	4	1	5	19	15	36	5	0	0
V.Martinez	.242	.352	60	227	20	55	80	10	0	5	30	18	30	0	0	0
D.Kelly	.198	.358	44	81	15	16	29	2	1	3	10	14	12	2	0	0
A.Avila	.176	.297	43	148	15	26	44	3	0	5	13	20	52	0	0	1
R.Santiago	.149	.255	18	47	3	7	12	3	1	0	1	4	7	0	0	1

A.Sanchez

.000

.000

12

3

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

3

0

0

1

Detroit Tigers Trade Rumors

       I read a good article yesterday by Jason Martinez MLB Lead Writer with The Bleacher Report about each team's best trade bait and what they might bring in return.  Click on this link to read the story.  http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1655745-updating-each-mlb-teams-biggest-trade-asset-heading-into-june  Jason said Detroit's best trade bait is Toledo Mud Hens outfielder Nick Castellanos and the best way for him to help the Tigers would be to bring a impact corner outfielder to Detroit in a trade.  Mr. Martinez must be talking about replacing Andy Dirks, because he can't be talking about Torii Hunter.  Hunter is hitting .312 with 15 doubles, two homeruns and 23 RBI's, not numbers you need to replace.  Dirks, on the other hand is hitting .247 with four doubles, five homers and 16 RBI's, still, not horrible numbers but apparently something the Tigers need to replace in his opinion.  In their last ten games Hunter is hitting even better; .325 with three doubles, a homerun, two RBI's, four walks and nine strikeouts.  Dirks is hitting .214 with 1 double, one RBI, one walk and nine strikeouts.  So again it must be Dirks that we are talking about trading.  The question then becomes, who should the Tigers try to get in return?  The outfielders listed in Jason's article were Corey Hart with Milwaukee, Josh Willingham with the Twins and Michael Morse with Seattle. 
      Corey Hart, 31, has not played this season after off season knee surgery.  His 2012 stats were .270 with 35 doubles, 30 homeruns, 83 RBI's 44 walks and 151 strikeouts.  However, who knows what type of player he'll be when he returns.  The Brewers think he will be ready to start a rehab assignment in the next week or two but they are not positive.  The Tigers do not need to trade for a player who will be coming off an injury and therefore an unknown quantity.  One need look no further than Victor Martinez to see the impact a knee injury can have on a player and Detroit doesn't need that headache.  In addition Hart is making ten million dollars this season and will be a free agent when the season is over.  I don't think the Tigers need to trade a good minor league prospect for an injured player that will most likely be a partial season rental player. 
      Willingham is hitting .211 with ten doubles, ten homeruns, 29 RBI's, 33 walks and 57 strikeouts.  In his last ten he is .210 with one double, two homeruns, six RBI's, six walks and eleven strikeouts.  Willingham is 34 years old and I wonder if his age will start to catch up to him as this season wears on, although he could be another version of former teammate, Hunter.  a .211 average is nothing to write home about in fact it is even less then Dirks and I'm sure Dirks is a better defensive outfielder then Willingham.  Willingham is making seven million dollars this season and is scheduled to make another seven million next year before becoming a free agent after the 2014 season.  So if the Tigers did acquire him in a trade, which I think is unlikely because the Twins wouldn't trade to a team in their own division, at least it wouldn't be a half season rental.  
      Morse, who is also 31, is hitting .254 with four doubles, eleven homeruns, 21 RBI's, 15 walks and 46 strikeouts.  In his last ten games he is .228 with one homerun, four RBI's, four walks and seven strikeouts.  He is making 6.75 million dollars this year and will be a free agent after the season, again another case of a rental player, this one a little cheaper then Willingham but not by much.  He has the best average and the most homeruns of the three players this year.  The Mariners are already 11-1/2 games back in the American League and aren't likely to make a run at the playoffs so come July they are going to be unloading contracts and looking for cheap, young players to fill the holes.  This is just the scenario the Tigers are looking for.  While I don't think that Morse is the best solution to this problem, in fact I'm not entirely sure there is a problem, he might fill a spot on the Tigers roster in their run to the post season.
      Are there any other areas the Tigers might need to shore up at the trade deadline?  I think the obvious choice is the closer spot.  There have been thousands of words written about Jose Valverde and his troubles last year, including a post in this blog and the Tigers signed him anyway.  Valverde has blown two save already this season, both in the last two weeks, and it might be time to end this experiment.  If the Tigers do decide to get rid of Valverde then who becomes the closer?  The obvious choice would be Bruce Rondon, currently the closer in Toledo.  He started the season in Detroit but after a few bad outings was sent back to the Mud Hens.  Since returning to AAA Rondon is 1-1 with a 0.84 ERA.  He has ten  saves and has giving up nine hits, eleven walks and 26 strikeouts in 21-1/3 innings.  Good stats but still a few too many walks.  He has made significant progress for someone with little AAA and Major League experience.  If Leyland and Dombrowski decide to go a different direction then where would they go?  Joaquin Benoit would be a good choice he is 1-0 with two saves, a 1.88 ERA, 16 hits, eight walks and 29 strikeouts in 24 innings of work but it appears Tiger fans are stuck with Valverde for now.  Dombrowski and Leyland have tabbed Rondon as the closer of the future and we just have to live with Valverde's ups and downs until Rondon is ready for the big time.

What Is Wrong With Justin Verlander?

      For the last seven years, every fifth day, Detroit Tigers fans knew, no matter how bad the team was playing they had a chance to win, because Tigers Ace Justin Verlander was on the mound.  This year seems to be different Verlander is 4-4 with a 3.17 ERA.  In his last outing, Thursday 5/16 against the Texas Rangers, he lasted only 2-2/3 innings while giving up eight runs on six hits and two walks.  This is the shortest outing and the most runs he has surrendered this season.  In fact in his other eight starts he has given up only 13 runs over 51-1/3 innings of work. 
      Where is the Verlander who went 24-5 and won both the Cy Young Award and the American League MVP in 2011?  As with every player in every sport, Verlander is human and has had ups and downs in his career.  In 2008, as the Tigers went 74-88, Verlander was 11-17 with a 4.84 ERA.  The next season he was 19-9 with a 3.45 ERA, so all is not lost, besides in 2008 he didn't have any help on the pitching staff, the other starters were Armando Galarraga, Nate Robertson, Kenny Rogers and other starters like Jeremy Bonderman and Dontrelle Willis, not the best of company if you're having a down year.  This season the starting rotation is much better with Doug Fister, Max Scherzer, Rick Porcello and Anibal Sanchez so they should be able to pick up Verlander if his season doesn't improve.  Even with all his struggles this season Verlander is still 6th in strikeouts, 14th in wins, 15th in innings pitched, 21st in ERA and 31st in WHIP.  I think most pitchers in the league would be happy to have those stats. 
      After the game on Thursday Verlander was asked why he had such problems this year, he said the control on his fastball is not up to par.  He's not saying he is walking a lot of batters because he only has 20, which is only 2.2 per start, but he is referring to the fact that he isn't able to locate his fastball where he wants to, meaning it is getting hit more often.  There has also been talk this year about the loss of velocity with his fastball.  In past seasons Verlander has reached 100+ MPH routinely and late in games he is averaging 97 to 99.  This year he has only touched 100 a few times and is averaging 93-95, this doesn't seem like a big change but it takes him from one of the fastest fastballs to a high average pitch.  One of Verlander's big weapons, besides his pitches themselves, is the intimidation factor, if hitters realize his fastball is slower then normal, they will dig in more and won't worry about that 100+ MPH fastball coming across the plate.  Consequently he has given up more hits and more runs. 
      In resent interviews both manager Jim Leyland and pitching coach Jeff Jones have said they are not worried about Verlander's struggles, they are confident that his performance will improve and are assuring fans to relax and not panic.  If they aren't worried why should we be, of course would they say if they were worried?  I doubt it, so it is something to watch.  If the past is anything to judge the future by, Verlander will be fine and the Tigers will make another deep run in the playoffs.           

Baseball's Unwritten Rules

      The events of Thursday night in San Diego have brought to the fore MLB's unwritten rules.  If you didn't catch it, this is what happened.  In the bottom of the sixth inning of Thursday's game between the San Diego and the Dodgers.  The score was 2-1 and Carlos Quentin was up with a full count.  Zach Greinke was on the mound and his payoff pitch glanced of the left shoulder.  Quentin, who had been hit by Greinke twice before in their careers took exception to being hit.  He took a step or two in the direction of the mound.  At that point Greinke must have said something because Quentin charged the mound, Greinke lowered his left shoulder and met Quentin just short of the mound.  They were soon snowed under by players coming from both benches.  When order was restored Matt Kemp and Jerry Hariston Jr. along with Greinke were ejected for the Dodgers and Quentin for the Padres.  If you aren't a player or serious fan of baseball then these unwritten rules and their implementation might be rather confusing.  Maybe this post will help you understand the complex dance that occurs between the lines.  In no particular order; Rule #1 Don't run up the score. Rule #2: Don't bunt to break up a no hitter.  Rule #3 don't steal the signs.  Rule #4 If they hit one of yours, hit one of theirs.  Rule #5 Don't throw at somebody's head.  Rule #6 Don't admire your homers.  Rule #7 Don't get too excited.  Rule #8 Don't work the count if the game is out of hand.  Rule #9 Don't swing at the first pitch after back to back homers.  Rule #10 If you get hit by a pitch, don't rub the spot.  OK now that we have named the rules let's explain the rules and the punishments if they are violated.
      Rule #1: Don't run up the score.  If your team is up by ten or more don't take an extra base on a hit, if you blast one in the gap all the way to the wall and it's an easy double stop at first.  Don't steal bases, it will just look like you're padding your stats and will not be viewed kindly.  No bunting, either sacrifices or bunting for hits, just go up there swinging (see Rule #8).  No hit and runs it will look like you're trying to embarrass the other team.  The penalties for violating any part of this rule  can vary from being called out in the press up to and including hitting batters or even throwing at you while on first.
      Rule #2 Don't bunt to break up a no hitter.  If the opposing pitcher has a no hitter going late in the game go up there swinging.  If you bunt successfully everybody, including your own team, will think of you as a pansy and a sneak.  Be a man and try to get a real hit!  If you violate this rule you will be thrown at the next time you come up to the plate against that team.
      Rule #3 Don't steal the signs.  There has always been an acceptable level of cheating in baseball, throwing spitballs and corking bats are against the rules but viewed as OK unless you get caught but this rule has a little bit a gray in it.  If you are a runner on second and figure out the signs and can alert the batter that is acceptable but if you have someone in the stands with binoculars reading the signs or trying to get them off the TV broadcast that, is over the line.  If a team is caught violating this rule they will be called out in the press and it could even attract the attention of the Commissioner.
      Rule #4 If they hit one of your's, hit one of theirs.  This is the rule most casual baseball fans are familiar with and the one that Matt Kemp should keep in mind starting on Monday 4/15 when the Padres come to town.  There are rules that cover this as well.  The player from the other team that is hit should be about the same talent level as the one that was hit from your team.  Don't hit a player high (see Rule #5) and one is all you get.  Even if your best player is plunked you can't hit everybody in their lineup.  Hitters have to remember rules in this situation as well.  If they are next up after back to back homeruns they need to expect at least a brush back pitch and, depending on how bad the pitcher has been pitching, maybe to get hit.  If you are a star on a team and your pitcher hits a star on the other team you should expect to get hit in return.  If you spend too long admiring your homer (see Rule #6), you will get brushed back or maybe hit the next time.  If the rules are followed by your pitcher he will hit one of their hitters in retaliation.  Bench clearing brawls like in the Dodgers/Padres game should be rare if everyone understands the rules.
      Rule #5 Don't throw at someones head.  This one seem fairly simple but you never know.  If you are a pitcher and need to hit someone for whatever reason, don't go up and in with the pitch.  Hit them in the back, on the hip on the lower arm or the leg but stay away from up high.  A sure way to get a batter to charge the mound is to hit him, or even try to hit him, up high.  As we've seen if you start hitting people there will be retaliation and it can get very messy.
      Rule #6 Don't admire your homeruns.  If you crush one that everybody in the stadium knows is gone as soon as it leaves the bat, don't stand at the plate and watch it fly out of the park.  If you do you are showing up the pitcher and he will take it out of your hide the next time you face him.  There are a few exception to this rule; if your name is Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire or Ken Griffey Jr. you can get away with it for a little while but if you are a rookie, you best put your head down and run.  If it is a borderline foul ball it might be OK to slowly trot towards first but if it goes out speed it up.  In fact if you take too long to run the bases that might get you hit as well.
      Rule #7 Don't get too excited.  Except in very specific circumstances it is not considered proper to show a lot of emotion on the field.  This is the rule that most non-Major Leaguers don't understand.  If you get a walk off hit. run to first and then celebrate with your team mates, unless it is to win the division, the pennant or the World Series don't carry on too much.  If you make too big of a deal about it the other team will notice and remember and make you pay.  You will never see a baseball player jump into the stands when crossing the plate after a homerun or see the pitcher do a complicated dance after getting a strikeout.  OK, maybe Jose Valverde has a borderline celebration but he is a veteran and has been doing it for awhile.  There was a rookie a few years ago that hit his first Major League homerun and pranced around the bases and even gave some fans high fives on his way back to the dugout.  There was a lot made about this, and how it against those unwritten rules.  Baseball favors the Barry Sanders attitude rather than the Terrell Owens attitude, which means act like you've done it before rather than making a big production out of it.
      Rule #8 Don't work the count if the game is out of hand.  If you are up by nine or ten especially late in the game, don't go up to the plate looking for a walk, go up there swinging.  If you are deep into the bullpen don't make the relievers work too hard by being really picky.  This doesn't mean you should chase bad pitches but you should take close ones.  The umpire will help out with this by expanding the strike zone to speed up the game.  The size of the strike zone will be directly related to the size of the lead and the temperature in the ball park.  Pitchers will remember if you get picky in a blow out and there could be consequences later.
      Rule #9 Don't swing at the first pitch after back to back homeruns.  If you are up next after back to back home runs take a pitch to let the pitcher calm down a little bit.  It's OK to swing at the second pitch but the Ms. Manners of baseball says to let that first one go by.  Of course that first pitch could be at you so keep an eye out (see Rule #4).  As with most of these rules pitchers have long memories and plenty of chances to make you pay.
      Rule #10 If you're hit by a pitch don't rub the spot.  This rule is in regards to your team mates, as well as the opposing pitcher.  If that pitcher hit you in the upper arm, let's say, don't rub it because it is a sign of weakness, that pitcher will remember that and throw inside your next at bat.  Other pitchers will see that and follow suit.  As for your own team, you will most likely pay a fine in kangaroo court and your team mates will look at you differently and maybe even question your toughness.
      These are the main unwritten rules in baseball, there are others, but these are the important ones.  If all baseball players remember and follow them they will all get along, if they don't there will be issues.  Today's Major Leagures seem to be most sensitive then past players and get their dander up much quicker.  In the past, players understood these rules and played by them.  Batters knew that if the previous player hit a home run then the first pitch will be inside and if their pitcher hit the other team's star then they could expect to get hit.  When it happened, the batter didn't take offense but just ran to first base and if he felt ill will he tried to make the pitcher the only way he could, by scoring, These rules have been in place for decades and will remain in effect as long as there is organized baseball so players need to learn them and take them to heart.  If they do baseball will remain one of the greatest game in America.     

A $200 Million Pitcher?

      Will the Tigers make Justin Verlander the first $200 million pitcher?  He made comments in a recent interview with Jeff Passen about making 200 million dollars in his next deal.  Verlander becomes a free agent after the 2014 season.  Should Detroit or any other team, pay that much for a player that only plays once every fifth day?   Some teams think so, in February 2013 Felix Hernandez signed a seven year contract extension with the Seattle Mariners worth $175 Million.  In December 2012 Zach Greinke reached a six year deal worth $147 Million with the Dodgers.  All three pitchers are similar both in age and stats so what would make Verlander worth $200 Million?  Verlander has been an All-Star more times than Greinke and Hernandez put together.  Justin was the Rookie of the year in 2006, AL MVP in 2011, the same year he won the Cy Young, threw his second no-hitter and won the pitching triple crown.  That is a pretty impressive resume and I'm sure he thinks if Hernandez can make $175 Million with his body of work then $200 Million shouldn't be an issue. 

      Hernandez is four years younger, has a lower career ERA, more strikeouts, a Cy Young Award and has thrown a perfect game but no league MVP, no triple crown and he has less wins and more losses then Verlander.  Greinke is one year younger then Verlander, he has less wins, more losses, a higher ERA and less strikeouts.  Greinke is a one time All-Star and won the Cy Young Award.  An examination of the reasons Hernandez and Greinke got such large contracts might be helpful to understand the reason Verlander would think Detroit would be interested in making him the highest paid pitcher in baseball.

      Seattle has made the post season four times in their history but haven’t been there in eleven years and haven’t been deep into the playoffs since losing to the Yankees in the American League Championship Series in 2001.  The Mariners moved to their present home, Safeco Field, in 1999.  The facility was paid for at tax payer expense and the Mariners have been trying to rebuild feelings after nearly moving the team.  In other words the Mariners are looking to win and win now, at any cost.  King Felix is the cornerstone of an otherwise weak pitching staff and the Mariners, who are trying to be relevant again, didn't have a choice in giving him a huge deal. 

      The Dodgers, on the other hand, are spending like money is going out of style in a quest to return their troubled franchise to prominence.  The Dodgers haven’t won a World Series since 1988 and have missing the playoffs the last three years.  The Dodgers have suffered several controversies including the divorce of owner Frank McCourt, the 2009 bankruptcy and the tragic 2011 beating of a Giants fan.  All of these have tarnished the reputation of the storied franchise.  The new owners, the Guggenheim Group, are trying to erase these images from the minds of baseball fans, with a win now attitude.  The signing Greinke was just the latest step in that process.  Greinke is just the latest addition to a pitching staff that boasts the likes of Josh Beckett, Chris Capuano, Aaron Harang and 2011 Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw.  The rest of the Dodgers roster is also full of big names like Matt Kemp, Hanley Ramirez, Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford. The Dodgers are obviously out to win it all and win as soon as possible.  So we can see that the signings of Greinke and Hernandez were motivated by concerns of the franchise, do the Tigers have the same or similar issues?    

      Is Detroit in the same shoes as the Mariners or the Dodgers?  I don’t think so, the Tigers have great fan relations and aren’t trying to earn back fans after a new stadium deal.  The Tigers have made the playoffs the last two years and been to the World Series twice since 2006.  Detroit is also not mired in any controversies and aren’t attempting to erase the memories of fans.  They have a strong rotation, after Verlander, the Tigers have Max Scherzer, Doug Fister, Anibal Sanchez and Rick Porcello.  The rest of the roster is well stocked with big names including reigning AL MVP Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder, Torii Hunter and Victor Martinez.  
      If it isn't any of the reasons I have attributed  to the Mariners or the Dodgers then what would posses the Tigers to pay $200 Million for a pitcher?  The reason: Tiger fans deserve a World Championship they have waited patiently since 1984 and if any city needs a title it is Detroit and the key part of that title is good pitching and the key to good pitching for Detroit is Justin Verlander and Mike Ilitch, Dave Dombroskl and Jim Leyland know that Verlander is good for at least 17 wins a season and his pitching makes everybody else better and all those reasons are good enough to make Justin Verlander the highest paid pitcher in MLB history.