2015 AL Central Preview: Detroit Tigers
By Brett Pnazek
Mar 27, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander (35) throws a pitch in the first inning of the spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Starting Rotation
David Price – Price came over in a blockbuster trade at the trade deadline. He put up even better numbers after reaching Detroit posting a 2.44 era in 11 starts. Price like Cespedes is a pending free agent. His next contract should be somewhat similar to the deal Max Scherzer received with the exception of the deferred money. He’ll be the anchor of the rotation and look to garner his second Cy Young award.
Justin Verlander – Verlander once was a great pitcher albeit for a short time but in that time he won the Cy Young and the MVP and posted his only two years of a sub 3.00 ERA. He is no longer that guy and while the occasionally flashes are there he is learning how to pitch with diminished stuff. He’s still a workhorse as he has posted eight years of 200-plus innings in a row. He’ll provide some veteran leadership to the staff.
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Anibal Sanchez – Sanchez is the opposite of Verlander. He is not a workhorse. He’s extremely talented but has never posted a 200 inning season. He’s never been healthy for a full season so the Tigers will need to have a contingency plan for whenever his inevitable injury occurs. However, if healthy he will be a solid No. 3 and can even perform like an ace in short spurts.
Alfredo Simon – Simon is the third Tiger of note that is entering his final year of his contract. He was acquired in the off season from the Reds and was a NL All-Star last year. After starting his career in the American League a switch to the National League served as a boon for Simon. He posted two sub 3.00 ERA seasons in relief and in his one season of starting posted 3.44 ERA last year. The one thing to note is that his two halves of last year were polar opposites, posting a 2.70 ERA in the first and a 4.52 in the second half of the season.
Shane Greene – Greene is another new addition to the Tigers pitching staff. As a rookie last year he started 14 games with 12 of them coming the second half where he went three and four with a 4.29 ERA. He’s still a relative unknown but could be a stabilizer at the back end of the rotation.
Next: Bullpen/Season Outlook