Tigers

Max Scherzer (Tigers)

2/19/12 6:53 pm

Max Scherzer has been working this winter on re-implementing his two-seam fastball into his arsenal.

Scherzer abandoned the pitch shortly after college and has used a three-pitch repertoire in the majors, a four-seam fastball, a slider and a changeup. “I knew I needed to dedicate a whole offseason and just throw it every single day,” Scherzer said. “If I can hit you in the chest, I’m getting a feel for it.” Scherzer, who was arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter, went 15-9 with a 4.43 ERA and 174/56 K/BB ratio over 195 innings last season. His main goal for this upcoming season is good news for fantasy owners; Scherzer wants to increase his strikeout total. If he’s successful, and can approach a strikeout an inning, he’ll have no problem justifying our opinion that he is one of fantasy’s biggest sleepers heading into 2012.

Source: mlive.com

Tagged as: Max Scherzer, news, Tigers

Miguel Cabrera (Tigers)

2/18/12 4:10 pm

While it’s still very much the plan, Tigers manager Jim Leyland doesn’t sound married to the idea of keeping Miguel Cabrera at third base.

Leyland dropped a similar hint during the Prince Fielder press conference. “I?m not sending a red flag here,” he said, “but a lot of people forgot at that press conference that we?re going to monitor the situation. We?re going to see how it plays out.” Cabrera has dropped weight and seems committed to making the move work out, but the experiment probably won’t last if he struggles in April and May.

Source: google.com

Tagged as: Miguel Cabrera, news, Tigers

Rick Porcello (Tigers)

2/18/12 8:05 am

According to Justin Havens of ESPN Stats and Information, Rick Porcello’s fastball velocity in October was the highest in three seasons, at 92.7 MPH.

The Tigers are hoping Porcello can continue his late-season prowess after struggling with his velocity during the first half of last season. “By the end of the year, that was the old Porcello plus some,” manager Jim Leyland said. “He was throwing sinkers at 92-93 MPH, topping out at 95, his change-up was better, and his slider was more consistent.” Porcello, 23, is set to make $3.1 million in his first year of arbitration. He remains under team control through the 2015 season.

Source: go.com

Tagged as: news, Rick Porcello, Tigers

Adam Wilk (Tigers)

2/18/12 8:00 am

Chris Iott of M-Live.com considers Adam Wilk a darkhorse for the Tigers’ fifth rotation spot this season.

The Tigers are looking for a replacement for Brad Penny and manager Leyland prefers pitchers who can throw strikes. Wilk posted a 3.24 ERA and 76/14 K/BB ratio over 102 innings at Triple-A Toledo last season. Other candidates for the job include Jacob Turner, Duane Below, Drew Smyly, and Andy Oliver.

Source: mlive.com

Tagged as: Adam Wilk, news, Tigers

Zach Segovia (Tigers)

2/17/12 4:25 pm

Tigers signed RHP Zach Segovia to a minor league contract.

Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus reported earlier this week that he had signed with the Rockies, but it turns out he latched on with the Tigers. Segovia, who turns 29 in April, posted a 3.98 ERA and 50/38 K/BB ratio over 63 1/3 innings with the Brewers’ Triple-A affiliate last year. The 2002 second-round pick hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2009 as a member of the Nationals.

Source: twitter.com

Tagged as: news, Tigers, Zach Segovia

Rick Porcello (Tigers)

2/17/12 10:11 am

Rick Porcello started playing catch on December 1, a month earlier than he normally beings his offseason throwing program.

Porcello’s velocity improved as the season went along last year, and he pitched a gem in the ALCS against the Rangers. He’s looking to hit his stride sooner in 2012. “I’m really trying to get myself to midseason form at the beginning of April,” said Porcello. “I want to give myself the best chance to do well right off the bat, and not be concerned about mechanical things or arm strength. I just go out there and compete. I feel great, there is definitely a noticeable difference. There’s no tightness. My workload is more right now. I’m on track.”

Source: go.com

Tagged as: news, Rick Porcello, Tigers

Brandon Inge (Tigers)

2/16/12 4:59 pm

Tigers’ manager Jim Leyland said Thursday that Brandon Inge will get a chance to compete for the starting second base job during spring training.

Leyland apparently wants to clinch having the worst infield defense of all-time. While Inge is known as a strong defender at the hot corner, he has never played an inning at second base during his entire professional career. It’s highly unlikely that the 34-year-old will be able to make a smooth transition, but he’ll be thrown into the with Ryan Raburn, Ramon Santiago and Danny Worth.

Source: freep.com

Tagged as: Brandon Inge, news, Tigers

Magglio Ordonez (Tigers)

2/15/12 5:03 pm

Magglio Ordonez said Wednesday that he is not interested in signing a minor league contract.

That could change if Ordonez is unable to attract a major league contract offer by the start of spring training. He’s drawn interest from the A’s, but it’s doubtful they’ll offer him a guaranteed roster spot. Ordonez, 38, batted just .252/.303/.331 in 92 regular-season games last season for Detroit.

Source: twitter.com

Tagged as: Magglio Ordonez, news, Tigers

Miguel Cabrera (Tigers)

2/10/12 2:49 pm

Alex Avila told ESPN’s Karl Ravech that teammate Miguel Cabrera has lost 25 pounds over the offseason.

Avila has been working out with Cabrera and says that Miggy is excited about moving to third base to accommodate Prince Fielder. He should be able to gain a bit more lateral movement with some pounds shed, but there’s no doubt he’s going to be a well below average defensive third baseman regardless. He could ultimately see plenty of time in the DH slot if things don’t work out at third base, but the Tigers will give him every opportunity to stick at the hot corner.

Source: twitter.com

Tagged as: Miguel Cabrera, news, Tigers

Brad Penny (Tigers)

2/5/12 2:00 pm

Updating a previous item, Brad Penny’s deal with the Softbank Hawks of Japan’s Pacific League is the largest ever given to an American pitcher in his first contract with a Japanese team.

According to FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal, Penny will earn $4 million in 2012 with an additional $3.5 million available through performance-based incentives. The deal also includes a $4.5 million option for 2013.

Source: twitter.com

Tagged as: Brad Penny, news, Tigers

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