Tag Archives: Detroit Tigers

Do the 2013 Detroit Tigers Need a “Proven” Closer?

Posted on January 11, 2013 | Leave a comment

After closing for the Detroit Tigers for the past three seasons, Jose Valverde was granted his free-agency. The pitcher’s departure–perhaps not to-be-missed by fans who watched him under perform in the playoffs (16.20 ERA and 2.40 WHIP in 1.6 IP)–has left the team without a seasoned closer.

Yet, even though Valverde’s 3.00 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 110 Saves seems good enough for a closer, the righty only posted a 1.94 K/BB and alarmingly annual xFIP spikes (from 3.75 xFIP in 2010, to 4.01 xFIP in 2011, to 5.01 xFIP in 2012). The Tigers might not have a “proven” closer going in 2013, but they certainly have some good options to potentially fill the void. Continue reading →

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Posted in Closer Looks

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A Jhonny Peralta Trend

Posted on September 14, 2011 | 1 Comment

Courtesy of Zimbio

Jhonny Peralta is arguably enjoying the finest season of his entire career. In his first full-season with the Detroit Tigers, the shortstop has posted a .306/.355/.487 line with 19 homeruns, 80 RBI, 62 runs, and a 9.4 UZR/150. Offensively, Peralta ranks third among shortstops, and defensively, he’s fourth.

But considering Peralta owned a .249/.311/.392 line with a -1.2 UZR/150 at shortstop and -6.1 UZR/150 at third base last season, many people are wondering if his 2011 is for real. Upon taking a closer look, Peralta is far from a fluke. In fact, the 29 year-old has actually consistently followed a very unique trend that justifies his elite 2011 season. Continue reading →

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Posted in Profiles

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Doug Fister, The Next Great Control Artist

Posted on August 12, 2011 | Leave a comment

Courtesy of Zimbio.com

Doug Fister has never won more than six games in a single season, and has already been saddled with twelve losses this year. The former Seattle Mariner and recently acquired Detroit Tiger pitcher will never lead the league in strikeouts, and it’s unlikely he’ll ever win a Cy Young. Yet despite the surface obstacles, Fister might just be the next great control artist.

To-date, Doug Fister has logged 387 innings over the course of three seasons–most of which in 2010 (171 innings) and 2011 (155 innings). During that span, the right-hander owns a career 3.81 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 2.76 K/BB. Despite posting a below-league-average 5.07 K/9, Fister also boasts an outstanding 1.8 BB/9. That’s slightly better than Roy Halladay‘s career 1.84 BB/9, and the exact same as Mr. Control himself, Greg Maddux. Continue reading →

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