Detroit Tigers Find Their Closer, Sign Jose Valverde

After last year’s closer Fernando Rodney and set-up man Brandon Lyon left the Detroit Tigers to sign with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Houston Astros, the Tigers were in search of a closer. Instead of going with an in-house option like Ryan Perry, the Tigers went in a different direction.

The Tigers searched the free agent market for a closer and found Jose Valverde. According to Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports, the Tigers have signed Valverde to a two-year, $14 million contract with a $9 million option for a third year.

Valverde will be closing for the Tigers in 2010

Since Valverde was a Type-A free agent and was offered arbitration by the Astros, Houston will receive the Tigers first round pick (19th overall) in the 2010 June Draft.

This is quite the interesting signing by the Tigers. Weren’t they poor at the beginning of the free agency period?

Wasn’t the reason they traded Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson is because they wanted to trim payroll? The Tigers couldn’t afford to keep Granderson at a respectable $5.5 million for 2010, but they could afford a closer at $7 million?

On top of spending $7 million on Valverde, the Tigers have to surrender a first round pick in next year’s draft. On the surface, financially this signing makes no sense.

On the field, I get why the Tigers signed Valverde. As a closer, he is pretty good.

He is coming off a year where he had a 2.33 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. Over the last three years, Valverde as a 2.84 ERA and has averaged 10.3 K/9. He has been one of the more consistent closers in the National League over that period.

However, Valverde did spend time on the DL last year (non-throwing arm related) and had the lowest K/9 ratio of his career at 9.3. That might be some cause for concern going into 2010.

The Tigers clearly did not feel comfortable giving the ball in the ninth inning to Ryan Perry and at this point, I don’t think they can trust Joel Zumaya to stay healthy over the course of a full season.

Again, I don’t mind the signing for what Valverde will bring on the field, but something is going on behind the scenes in Detroit where they have people like me scratching their heads.

It’s hard to sell your fans on why you traded one of your more popular players and then go ahead and sign a closer for more money than you were paying Granderson.

The Tigers have had one confusing offseason so far.

Valverde will be entering his eighth season in 2010 and has a career 3.17 ERA and 167 saves in 386 innings with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Astros.

You can follow The Ghost of Moonlight Graham on Twitter @ theghostofmlg

The Real 10 Most Hated Players In Baseball List

One of the great things about the internet is that any idiot like myself can pick up a laptop, start a blog or a website and give an opinion. Someone can formulate an opinion on anything from the best looking women, celebrities, recipes to who is going to be selected with the 1st pick in this coming NFL Draft. I choose to write and give my opinion about baseball. Now the things I write and give my opinions on are not gospel. Sometimes I am right, sometimes I am wrong and there are always going to be people who disagree with what I write. That is one of the drawbacks of starting a blog, you open yourself up for criticism. If you have noticed I have not commented on other people’s blogs or sites because I feel everyone is entitled to an opinion. At the end of the day it’s just someone’s thoughts, no big deal. However, I came across an article yesterday that really has me confused and I feel I need to comment on.

I was on Ballhype.com, which a site that gives you the ability to view posts from sports blogs from across the web (yes, my blog is on there). One of the posts I came across was Askmen.com’s “Top 10: Major League Baseball Players To Hate.” Interesting topic and was something I was anxious to read. After I read the article, I am wondering if the person who wrote this article knows anything about baseball or has even watched a game in their life?

On this list was Josh Hamilton?? The reason? “It’s a feel good story only Disney could concont” and “The only issue with Hamilton is that he makes a normal guy who can’t go into the office after a few too many scotch and sodas at happy hour look like a p#*sy..” Words can’t even describe how rediculous this is. Hamilton is hated so much that 50,000+ New Yorkers gave him a standing ovation during last year’s Home Run Derby. But wait, it gets better.

Also on this list is Ryan Braun. Ryan Braun? Why would anyone hate Ryan Braun? The reason…”He seems impossible to hate, which is good enough reason to hate him.” I am really starting to wonder if Askmen.com did any research prior to writing this article.

#7 on the list is Joel Zumaya. Nobody cares enough about Joel Zumaya to hate him. Really? Joel Zumaya one of the top 10 most hated players in baseball?

#5 on the list is David Wright. Now I can understand if you are a Phillies, Braves or even a Yankees fan that you might have a dislike for the Mets 3B. But here is one of the reasons that Askmen.com gave…”He collects double goody-two-shoes bonus points for his David Wright Foundation, which provides aid and assistance toward the health, emotional development and education for children in need.” Wow, the guy does charity work. What a bastard!!!

For a site that claims they get over 7MM readers a month, I would think they would have a better baseball person writing for them. Any way you slice it, this Top 10 is just not cutting it. So it got me thinking. Who are the most hated players in baseball?

Here is my Top 10 Most Hated Players In Baseball list. Teams and fans hate playing against these guys because they are the grinders, the guys who do the little things, they will always get the big hit and they will do anything for their team to win. Not because they are a great comeback story. I will do my list position by position. Of course, this is just my opinion. Disagree if you like…. 

C – AJ Pierzynski, White Sox – Just a bad-ass. He’ll fight you as Michael Barrett will point out and a noted wrestling fan, would suplex anyone on the Twins if he got a chance. Teams hate him while his teammates love him.

1B – Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox – Youkilis is so intense that he is sweating like Patrick Ewing in the 4th quarter before the 1st pitch of the game. Makes fans and players of opposing teams crazy with the way he grinds out ab’s. The modern day Paul O’Neill.

2B – Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox – Nobody likes a guy who is 5’7″ who acts like he is 6’4″. He is pesky, does all the little things and is just a winner. As small as he is, he always comes up big in the clutch. And oh yeah, he was the MVP last year.

Jeter will always be hated

SS – Derek Jeter, Yankees – The starting SS for the Yankees will always make a “Most Hated” list (unless you are writing for Askmen.com). Say what you want about Jeter, but when the game is on the line you can put it in the bank that he will come up with a clutch hit. I feel silly saying that Garciaparra was better than Jeter back in the day. Kind of how Yankee fans feel now when they said Cano was better than Pedroia.

3B – Chipper Jones, Braves – His real name is Larry, he goes by Chipper and he is enemy #1 amongst Mets fans. Jones has killed the Mets during his career, but he has killed most teams as well during his great career. The face of those great Braves teams in the 90’s and nobody likes someone who is this good and wins all the time.

LF – Eric Byrnes, Diamondbacks – The “Crash Test Dummy” has to be on this list. He is always hurt because he plays so hard. He would literally run into a wall to win the game. 

CF – Shane Victorino, Phillies – Was a key cog in the Phillies postseason run last year. The “Flyin Hawaiian” does all the little things to win a game. Plays great defense, steals a base, hit a clutch HR, get under the other team’s skin and as the Dodgers found out in the NLCS…all of the above.

RF – Denard Span, Twins – There has to be a Twins player on this list. Teams hate playing against the Twins because they do everything right. As a fan, it’s infuriating because you know they will never beat themselves. Span fits perfectly into the Twins system of solid baseball and a guy who teams and fans hate to play against.

SP – Roy Halladay, Blue Jays – Why is Halladay on this list? Because there is a 66% chance your team is going to lose when he pitches. If he ever played on a good team it would be closer to 90%. He is the best pitcher in baseball and he makes it look so easy.

Util – David Eckstein, Padres – The pure definition of overachiever, Eckstein looks more like your accountant rather than a World Series MVP. Eckstein is famous for fouling off pitches, which drives fans and opposing pitchers crazy.

Hope you enjoyed this list and ENJOY OPENING DAY!!!

The “Key” Player For Each MLB Team…

Yesterday, in Part 1 of my “The key player each MLB team” column, I covered all 16 National League teams. Well, today it is time to cover all 14 teams in the American League.

Teams are listed by division.

AL East

Blue Jays – David Purcey. I believe the Blue Jays offense will be fine due to having Adam Lind, Travis Snyder and Aaron Hill in the lineup for the full season. That means someone needs to step up behind Roy Halladay. With the loss of AJ Burnett to free agency and Shaun Marcum and Dustin McGowen to injuries, former 1st round pick David Purcey needs to step up in order for the Blue Jays to even think of having a chance in the AL East.

Orioles – Jeremy Guthrie. The Orioles need an ace and a leader of their pitching staff and Guthrie has the potential to be that guy. At 30 years old, it’s time for Guthrie to step up, pitch 200 innings and be the ace of the Orioles staff.

Can Percival return as the Rays closer?

Rays – Troy Percival. I think the Rays are playing with fire by going into the season with an uncertain closer situation. According to Rays Index, Troy Percival is ahead of schedule and while I am not sure how good that is for the Rays, a healthy Percival means guys like Wheeler and Balfour can pitch in their appropriate role of set-up men.

Red Sox – Mike Lowell. Just like Chase Utley, Lowell had hip surgery in the offseason. The Red Sox need a healthy Lowell to add depth and stability to the lineup. If Lowell can get back to at least a 20 hr and 80 rbi season, the Red Sox will once again be contenders for a World Series title.

Yankees – Jorge Posada.This was a toss-up between AJ Burnett and Jorge Posada. In the end Posada is the “key” because if Posada can’t play behind the plate because of his shoulder, it affects the entire roster. If Posada can’t catch then the Yankees will have to carry a 3rd catcher which would weaken there bench and Posada would have to DH, which would take away ab’s from Matsui, Nady and Swisher.

AL Central

Indians – Travis Hafner. A shoulder injury limited Hafner to only 57 games in 2008. Even in those 57 games, Hafner hit only .197/5/24. Very un-Hafner like. The Indians are proceeding with caution with Hafner but they need “Pronk” to return to the 25 hr and 100 rbi guy they are used to.

Royals – Kyle Davies. It seems like Davies has been around forever but he is only 25 years old. He is just entering his prime pitching years and a solid September in 08 (4-1, 2.27) lead many to believe Davies has turned the corner. The Royals need someone from the trio of Davies, Bannister & Hochevar to step up behind Meche and Greinke. If Davies can be that guy, the Royals might be headed to the post-season for the 1st time since 1985.

Tigers – Joel Zumaya. Zumaya burst onto the scene in 2006 and was one of the key reasons the Tigers went to the World Series for the 1st time since 1984. In the last 2 seasons, Zumaya has only appeared in 49 games because of injuries. Still only 24, a healthy Zumaya in 2009 gives the Tigers one of the best 8th inning set-up men in the game and will help them improve on their 27th ranked bullpen in 2008.

Liriano is the key for the Twins in 09

Twins – Francisco Liriano. I love the Twins this year but they will only go as far as Francisco Liriano takes them. At 25 and over 2 years removed from Tommy John surgery, Liriano has the potential to be a Cy Young candidate in 09. If Liriano can get back to his 06 12-3, 2.16 form, the Twins will be a serious contender for the AL Pennant.

White Sox – Josh Fields. With Joe Crede finally out of his way, it’s time for Josh Fields to prove he is just not another top prospect but a legit major league player. Fields had a solid rookie season in 2007 when he hit 23 hr and had 67 rbi in 100 games but injuries derailed his 2008 season. If Fields can’t get back to his rookie form, the White Sox are looking at a combination of Wilson Betemit and Brent Lillibridge at 3B. Not good.

AL West

Angels – Brian Fuentes. I always viewed Fuentes as a nice lefty set-up guy rather than a Closer for a team trying to win a World Series. For those who argue Fuentes was on the Rockies team that made it to the World Series in 07. Remember, he lost the Closer’s job to Manny Corpas during that season and he wasn’t even the Closer when the season began last year. Fuentes will have a lot of pressure on him to replace the departed Francisco Rodriguez. If he can’t handle the pressure, the Angels will have to scramble to find a Closer.

A’s – Dana Eveland. The A’s went for it on offense this offseason by adding Holliday, Giambi, Cabrera and Garciaparra. Now with reports that Justin Duchscher will have an MRI on his forearm there is even more pressure on someone on the A’s rotation to make an impact. That person needs to be Dana Eveland. One of the key players in the Haren trade, Eveland needs to improve on his 9-9 2008 record in order for the A’s to compete with the Angels for the AL West crown.

Can Bedard stay healthy in 09?

Mariners – Erik Bedard. The rebuilding Mariners need more than ever for Bedard to stay healthy and pitch like he did in his 15 win season with the Orioles in 2006. Why you ask? Because Bedard is a free agent at the end of the 2009 season and you better believe that if Bedard is pitching well, the Mariners will ask for a king’s ransom for the 29 year old lefty at the July 31st trading deadline. If the Mariners can get some top prospects for Bedard, it will speed up their rebuilding process.

Rangers – Matt Harrison. It seems like it has been the same question in Rangers camp for the last 20 years. Who is going to pitch for this team? So this years “key pitcher de jour” is Matt Harrison. Harrison was the key pitcher in the Mark Teixeira trade a couple of years ago and despite having an era of 5.49 he still managed to go 9-3 in 2008. The Rangers know what they are going to get from Millwood and Padilla, so the development of young pitchers like Harrison is key for the Rangers in 09.