The Tigers made some moves that are going to pay off big. Currently, I believe they have a potentially fantastic top half of a pitching rotation that can match any other team's 1-2. Verlander and Bonderman are two absolute winners. Aces. Verlander had a miserable start to his sophomore season in 2009, but finally gained steam during the 2nd half. Even through his inconsistencies last year, there were a few gems that showed signs of life.
The Tigers could really luck out if Dontrelle Willis finds his groove and stays healthy. He is in his 3rd season in Motown and has yet to start his 20th game. This season so far he is 0-1 in three starts, but if his spring training was any indication, Dontrelle can be a force.
Jose Valverde was the prize off-season acquisition who adds consistency to the bullpen. Any time a team makes an impact move like this, you know they have playoffs on the mind.
On that same wavelength, adding veteran Johnny Damon to the lineup provides more consistency and invaluable experience. Damon is a stellar player year in and year out - no lineup falls apart when Damon is there every day. Even with KC in the late 90s, Damon helped keep that team somewhat in contention. When he got traded in 2000 after collecting 214 hits that season, he did have a quiet season Oakland, but they still went on to win 102 games (and then lost to the Yankees). Boston and NY (speaking of the devil) were both dominating teams with Johnny, so yeah, he's a winner.
Is Austin Jackson really as good as what "they" say? Well, he's had a hit in all but two of the Tigers first 15 games.
The middle of their lineup includes Mags, a career .312 hitter and Cabrera, another career .312 talent.
This was a recap of the good - they do have voids to fill (Polanco at 2nd is gone) and question marks to answer to, but Detroit has it going on this year, and you heard it here at Daily Mael.
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