August 5, 2006

REFRESHER COURSE:

Tigers rest Verlander, sign top pick Miller (USA Today, 8/4/2006)

The Detroit Tigers made pitching news on Friday, announcing that rookie star Justin Verlander will skip his Sunday start and that they've signed first-round draft pick Andrew Miller.

Verlander has been scratched from facing Cleveland because of a tired throwing arm.

The right-hander is 14-4 to lead the majors in wins and his 2.79 ERA is second in the American League.

"It's something I think I can pitch through," Verlander said on Friday.

Verlander's 135 1-3 innings are five more than he pitched in all of 2005, spent mostly in the minors.


Tigers Get Miller Deal Done: Deal expected to exceed value of Royals' pact with Hochevar (John Manuel, August 4, 2006, Baseball America)
Andrew Miller has had quite a year.

The North Carolina lefthander was the College Player of the Year, led the Tar Heels to the College World Series championship series and was the No. 6 overall pick in the draft.

Now, having signed with the Tigers, he'll end his year in the major leagues.

The Tigers announced they had agreed to terms with Miller on a major league contract that is believed to include a $3.55 million bonus and a guaranteed September callup.


They'd be smart to shut Verlander down for about a month and shoot to have both him and Miller playoff ready.

Posted by Orrin Judd at August 5, 2006 9:49 AM
Comments

Hmm, Verlander coming up bum, ditto Liriano:

Might as well just give the Cy Young to Tiger Wang right now.

Posted by: Jim in Chicago at August 5, 2006 10:10 AM

Papelbon could get MVP as well as Cy Young.

Posted by: oj at August 5, 2006 11:11 AM

I dunno. Pamplemousse is having a great season, but he's not head and shoulders ahead of other closers even. I believe he's tied with several others for the save lead, with Mo closing in after a slow start thanks to Yankee blowout wins. It's rare they give it too a closer anyway.

As for mvp, he's probably not even mvp of the Sawx, after the ridiculous month Papi's just had/is having.

I suspect the Sawx would be just as good if not better if Timlin were closing and Pamplemousse was in the starting rotation.

Posted by: Jim in Chicago at August 5, 2006 11:52 AM

They'll be better, though it will be Hansen closing.

That said,m it's the most dominant season of any pitcher in baseball this year for a team that's had trouble closing for awhile.

Posted by: oj at August 5, 2006 11:57 AM
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