Royalty Arrives in Detroit
2011 AL Central Champions ready for the next step2011 was, in many respects, a smashing success for the Detroit Tigers. After bitter disappointments in the seasons following their surreal run to the World Series in 2006, the Tigers finally got over the hump last fall, running away with the American League Central by 15 games. Miguel Cabrera won the AL batting title, Jose Valverde racked up 49 saves without blowing any, and Justin Verlander had one of the most dominant seasons for a pitcher in years, winning 24 games with 250 strikeouts and a 2.40 ERA en route to the Cy Young AND MVP Awards. And although the Tigers fell short of their ultimate goals when they lost the ALCS to the Texas Rangers in six games, the bar has been raised in the Motor City.
And then they signed a Prince.
Prince Fielder, the 275-pound behemoth first baseman who spent the last six years crushing baseballs out of Miller Park in Milwaukee, bolted the Brewers for greener pastures in the offseason, and discovered those pastures at his father Cecil's old stomping grounds in Motown, inking a blockbuster nine year deal that will pay him upwards of 23 million dollars per season. The move was critiqued as overpaying on Detroit's part, but owner Mike Ilitch has never been one to skimp on opening the checkbook to get what his team needs, whether it be the NHL's Detroit Red Wings for the past 20 years, or the recent influx of cash he's poured into his Tigers recently. So while they may have paid more than was needed, Tigers fans will reap the benefits as they get to see Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder bat 3-4 in the Detroit lineup for the next decade or so. Oh, and batting fifth will be Victor Martinez, who only hit .330 in 2011.
The Tigers are far and away the class of the AL Central in 2012, and it would be an epic disappointment if they didn't repeat as division champions. But the goals in Detroit are now larger than simply getting back to the postseason. The ultimate goal for the Tigers is to return to the World Series and win the franchise's first world championship since 1984. To do so may require additional spending.
While Verlander reigns as baseball's best pitcher, and Doug Fister, Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello provide quality depth to the starting rotation, the Tigers' front office is rumored to still be search of a true #2 behind Verlander. To that end, the Tigers have reportedly re-opened lines of communication with free agent Roy Oswalt. The Tigers had expressed interest in Oswalt early in the offseason, but he had rejected their interest, saying he didn't want to play in Detroit. As the offseason has come to a close, however, he still hasn't found a home, and has reportedly backed off of his restrictions, and is now open to pitching anywhere.
03-18-2012, 03:19 AM
