***Detroit Tigers thread: 1st pick yet again, this is not fun*** (3 Viewers)

[Gopher State]

So who do you sign to a long term deal Max or Price a good problem to have, but an expensive one

Unfortunately I think Max is gone, think that was a foregone conclusion after seeing the Tigers offer in March. Price is taking his spot in the rotation in 2015 with DD's pet project Robbie Ray the front runner for the #5 role. Hope Max doesn't go to Beantown, but that's my first thought.

We'll find out about Price in December.

you don't think Max will reconsider with Price on the roster, maybe take a home town discount to win a few championships. Tigers would be hard to beat for years with Max, Price, and JV

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Scherzer is going out west to be near home, most likely Dodgers. Mariners or Giants also possible. I don't see him in either AL East city. I think it's more likely he stays than goes to either if those places.

 

[scrumptrulescent]

Scherzer is going out west to be near home, most likely Dodgers. Mariners or Giants also possible. I don't see him in either AL East city. I think it's more likely he stays than goes to either if those places.

Wherever he ends up, and I doubt he stays, I hope it's with a ring on his finger. I love Max and what he's done for Detroit.

It is just fun as #### to be Tiger fan.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Scherzer is going out west to be near home, most likely Dodgers. Mariners or Giants also possible. I don't see him in either AL East city. I think it's more likely he stays than goes to either if those places.

Wherever he ends up, and I doubt he stays, I hope it's with a ring on his finger. I love Max and what he's done for Detroit.

It is just fun as #### to be Tiger fan.

Max is dreamy.

 

[scrumptrulescent]

Scherzer is going out west to be near home, most likely Dodgers. Mariners or Giants also possible. I don't see him in either AL East city. I think it's more likely he stays than goes to either if those places.

Wherever he ends up, and I doubt he stays, I hope it's with a ring on his finger. I love Max and what he's done for Detroit.

It is just fun as #### to be Tiger fan.

Max is dreamy.

Agreed.

 

[Spartans Rule]

you don't think Max will reconsider with Price on the roster, maybe take a home town discount to win a few championships. Tigers would be hard to beat for years with Max, Price, and JV

Price is only guaranteed to be on the roster for another year and it would be really hard to keep both. Verlander's already on the decline.

The Tigers are as good a situation as any, but whatever team Max goes to will be able to compete. I don't see him leaving significant $ on the table.

 

[Da Guru]

Who is going to be in CF? Why not Hunter?

 

[Bojang0301]

Who is going to be in CF? Why not Hunter?

I haven't got to watch much this year but guys have been pointing out his horrible metrics in RF.... I think it will be Rajai. He at least has speed to cover CF even though he'll drive us all bat ####.

 

[Bojang0301]

you don't think Max will reconsider with Price on the roster, maybe take a home town discount to win a few championships. Tigers would be hard to beat for years with Max, Price, and JV

Price is only guaranteed to be on the roster for another year and it would be really hard to keep both. Verlander's already on the decline.

The Tigers are as good a situation as any, but whatever team Max goes to will be able to compete. I don't see him leaving significant $ on the table.

I don't like those people that complain based on what professional athletes make, especially considering how much the owners make but I feel the need to say that Max has already left significant money on the table. He is much better than Cole Hamels but that wasn't an insulting offer the Tigers made.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Who is going to be in CF? Why not Hunter?

Because he's horrendous? He is easily graded out as the worst RFer in baseball, he should be in LF now.

Carrera can play CF, he might be a short-term answer while Dirks rehabs. Kinda tough to throw Dirks out in CF after not playing all year though, that's kind of the rub.

 

[MAC_32]

So who do you sign to a long term deal Max or Price a good problem to have, but an expensive one

Unfortunately I think Max is gone, think that was a foregone conclusion after seeing the Tigers offer in March. Price is taking his spot in the rotation in 2015 with DD's pet project Robbie Ray the front runner for the #5 role. Hope Max doesn't go to Beantown, but that's my first thought.

We'll find out about Price in December.

you don't think Max will reconsider with Price on the roster, maybe take a home town discount to win a few championships. Tigers would be hard to beat for years with Max, Price, and JV

Anything is possible, but I'd be very (and happily) surprised.

 

[MAC_32]

Who is going to be in CF? Why not Hunter?

It's probably best just not to think about it and rather just hope it doesn't become a back breaker.

 

[Da Guru]

Who is going to be in CF? Why not Hunter?

Because he's horrendous? He is easily graded out as the worst RFer in baseball, he should be in LF now.

Carrera can play CF, he might be a short-term answer while Dirks rehabs. Kinda tough to throw Dirks out in CF after not playing all year though, that's kind of the rub.

The reason I asked is I heard a pregame with Hunter awhile back and he was saying that playing RF is way harder for him than CF. I am thinking he may throw his hat in the ring.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Who is going to be in CF? Why not Hunter?

Because he's horrendous? He is easily graded out as the worst RFer in baseball, he should be in LF now.

Carrera can play CF, he might be a short-term answer while Dirks rehabs. Kinda tough to throw Dirks out in CF after not playing all year though, that's kind of the rub.

The reason I asked is I heard a pregame with Hunter awhile back and he was saying that playing RF is way harder for him than CF. I am thinking he may throw his hat in the ring.

He should have caught that Ortiz ball.

 

[BobbyLayne]

comeback

 

[Greco]

Who is going to be in CF? Why not Hunter?

Because he's horrendous? He is easily graded out as the worst RFer in baseball, he should be in LF now.Carrera can play CF, he might be a short-term answer while Dirks rehabs. Kinda tough to throw Dirks out in CF after not playing all year though, that's kind of the rub.

The reason I asked is I heard a pregame with Hunter awhile back and he was saying that playing RF is way harder for him than CF. I am thinking he may throw his hat in the ring.

He should have caught that Ortiz ball.

#### yes he should have.

 

[Bojang0301]

Who is going to be in CF? Why not Hunter?

Because he's horrendous? He is easily graded out as the worst RFer in baseball, he should be in LF now.Carrera can play CF, he might be a short-term answer while Dirks rehabs. Kinda tough to throw Dirks out in CF after not playing all year though, that's kind of the rub.

The reason I asked is I heard a pregame with Hunter awhile back and he was saying that playing RF is way harder for him than CF. I am thinking he may throw his hat in the ring.

He should have caught that Ortiz ball.

I'm hoping this was some sort of sarcasm... My Dad actually said the same thing to me and it got under my skin a little bit. Smokey mismanaged that inning pretty badly and he essentially put Benoit out there to choke and die. Benoit threw that pitch right down the middle. That ended the series in retrospect. I knew it then but didn't want to give up hope. I'm not sure Mike Trout would have caught that ball.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Who is going to be in CF? Why not Hunter?

Because he's horrendous? He is easily graded out as the worst RFer in baseball, he should be in LF now.Carrera can play CF, he might be a short-term answer while Dirks rehabs. Kinda tough to throw Dirks out in CF after not playing all year though, that's kind of the rub.

The reason I asked is I heard a pregame with Hunter awhile back and he was saying that playing RF is way harder for him than CF. I am thinking he may throw his hat in the ring.

He should have caught that Ortiz ball.

#### yes he should have.

http://youtu.be/CYosReytpcM

 

[jon_mx]

I am excited to see what Ezequiel Carrera can do. He seems to have a good bat, great speed, and very good on defense. There is a chance he is an upgrade over Jackson especially on the defensive side of things. He has slightly less power and unfortunately probably will strikeout and walk comparible to Jackson. But he is having a great year hitting.

 

[scrumptrulescent]

Price on the trade.....

"It's tough to put into words," he told the Tampa Bay Times. "There's absolute sadness. This is where I've been the last seven years. I love the guys, I love being here. It's different."

 

[MAC_32]

I am excited to see what Ezequiel Carrera can do. He seems to have a good bat, great speed, and very good on defense. There is a chance he is an upgrade over Jackson especially on the defensive side of things. He has slightly less power and unfortunately probably will strikeout and walk comparible to Jackson. But he is having a great year hitting.

Haven't seen him since his stint in Cleveland, but he had no bat (only wheels) when he played for them.

 

[BobbyLayne]

I am excited to see what Ezequiel Carrera can do. He seems to have a good bat, great speed, and very good on defense. There is a chance he is an upgrade over Jackson especially on the defensive side of things. He has slightly less power and unfortunately probably will strikeout and walk comparible to Jackson. But he is having a great year hitting.

Haven't seen him since his stint in Cleveland, but he had no bat (only wheels) when he played for them.

This is where I'm at. Saw him in A ball 7 years ago and the couple stints he did with the Tribe; I have hard time believing he's an upgrade in any phase other than straight line running.

Crazy talk chat time...thinking about 1968 when Mayo Smith moved Mickey Stanley to SS so he could play Northrup in CF and Kaline in right. Has any manager ever taken a stud SP and with little to no prep time asked him to be the closer? Wouldn't make sense, right? Most effective closers have 1-2 out pitches. This rotation is chock full of guys with a full arsenal at their disposal. Plus it's a completely different mentality. Plenty of guys switched from one role to the other and starred at both: Wilbur Wood, Eckersly, Smoltz et al. But that's with plenty of lead time and Sprinf Training to prepare. Plenty of starters have come off short rest to pitch in relief during the playoffs. But I'm talking a radical move: Nathan/Soria, you're out...Max/David, you get the ball every 9th inning we're leading. No way Ausmus would have the balls to do something like that. The first time JV/Porcello got knocked out in the 5th he'd be crucified.

amiright?

 

[jon_mx]

Smyly would have been the leading candidate to take over the closer role. Right now, I would have Sanchez in mind for that role, assuming the worst and all of our closer options prove to be complete failures in that role.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Yeah, no

 

[Bojang0301]

Smyly would have been the leading candidate to take over the closer role. Right now, I would have Sanchez in mind for that role, assuming the worst and all of our closer options prove to be complete failures in that role.

Nathan has been adequate recently. Soria will come around. There is still the potential to make an August move or two to bolster the bullpen. A lot of relievers that were on the block will probably try to be placed through trade waivers.

 

[jon_mx]

Smyly would have been the leading candidate to take over the closer role. Right now, I would have Sanchez in mind for that role, assuming the worst and all of our closer options prove to be complete failures in that role.

Nathan has been adequate recently. Soria will come around. There is still the potential to make an August move or two to bolster the bullpen. A lot of relievers that were on the block will probably try to be placed through trade waivers.

Yes, we are far from launching a hail-mary. Nathan has not been terrible lately and three horrendous games does not mean Soria is hopeless. I see a few have thrown out JV as a closer, and that is crazy talk. Max/Price/JV are the three main starters for the post season.

 

[tri-man 47]

Smyly would have been the leading candidate to take over the closer role. Right now, I would have Sanchez in mind for that role, assuming the worst and all of our closer options prove to be complete failures in that role.

Nathan has been adequate recently. Soria will come around. There is still the potential to make an August move or two to bolster the bullpen. A lot of relievers that were on the block will probably try to be placed through trade waivers.

Yes, we are far from launching a hail-mary. Nathan has not been terrible lately and three horrendous games does not mean Soria is hopeless. I see a few have thrown out JV as a closer, and that is crazy talk. Max/Price/JV are the three main starters for the post season.

As noted around here, JV can't 'close the deal' with Ks like he used to, so I wouldn't consider him for the bullpen (in the context of this discussion). Porcello gets the groundballs and double plays, and Sanchez has tricky stuff. Maybe one of them as a long shot option.

They'll figure it out. Let's get back to our winning ways, first!

 

[igbomb]

Smyly would have been the leading candidate to take over the closer role. Right now, I would have Sanchez in mind for that role, assuming the worst and all of our closer options prove to be complete failures in that role.

Nathan has been adequate recently. Soria will come around. There is still the potential to make an August move or two to bolster the bullpen. A lot of relievers that were on the block will probably try to be placed through trade waivers.

Yes, we are far from launching a hail-mary. Nathan has not been terrible lately and three horrendous games does not mean Soria is hopeless. I see a few have thrown out JV as a closer, and that is crazy talk. Max/Price/JV are the three main starters for the post season.

You point out that JV as closer is 'crazy talk' but also suggest that Sanchez or Smyly are/would be options? Are you drunk?

 

[whoknew]

Unless something happens, JV will (and should) be in the bullpen in the playoffs. He's clearly the 5th best starter. Hopefully in the bullpen, he will be able to get back some velocity he has lost while starting.

 

[jon_mx]

Smyly would have been the leading candidate to take over the closer role. Right now, I would have Sanchez in mind for that role, assuming the worst and all of our closer options prove to be complete failures in that role.

Nathan has been adequate recently. Soria will come around. There is still the potential to make an August move or two to bolster the bullpen. A lot of relievers that were on the block will probably try to be placed through trade waivers.

Yes, we are far from launching a hail-mary. Nathan has not been terrible lately and three horrendous games does not mean Soria is hopeless. I see a few have thrown out JV as a closer, and that is crazy talk. Max/Price/JV are the three main starters for the post season.

You point out that JV as closer is 'crazy talk' but also suggest that Sanchez or Smyly are/would be options? Are you drunk?

Smyly was extremely effective in relief last season. We only need 3/4 starters in the playoffs. The #5 guy is not Verlander despite what this years stats might suggest. Sanchez may end up being the starter who goes to relief. It is only a fail-safe option if all others prove to be failures.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Andy Dirks to start in LF and bat lead off tonight for the West Michigan Whitecaps.

 

[BobbyLayne]

4-9(?) since the ASG? I know just the cure...

Here's a quick look at the next series for the Detroit Tigers:

Opponent: Colorado Rockies

Site: Comerica Park in Detroit

Records: Tigers, 58-47 (1st in AL Central); Rockies, 44-64 (5th in NL West)

Schedule

Friday: RHP Justin Verlander (9-9, 4.79 ERA) vs. LHP Franklin Morales (5-5, 5.18 ERA), 7:08 p.m., FSD

Saturday: RHP Rick Porcello (12-5, 3.24 ERA) vs. LHP Tyler Matzek (2-5, 4.39 ERA), 7:08 p.m., FSD

Sunday: RHP Anibal Sanchez (7-5, 3.57 ERA) vs. LHP Jorge De La Rosa (11-6, 4.20 ERA), 1:08 p.m., FSD

Scouting the Rockies: The Tigers have dropped 10 of their last 15, including two of three against division foe Chicago earlier this week. Needless to say, Detroit will gladly welcome the National League-worst Rockies, who own baseball's worst record on the road (17-36) and have lost 29 of their last 39 overall. Colorado will be without its top two stars, Troy Tulowitzki and Michael Cuddyer, both of whom are nursing injuries. Justin Morneau, meanwhile, will likely be in the lineup all three games after missing 2 1/2 weeks with a neck strain. The Rockies lead baseball with a .279 batting average, but their pitching staff ranks last in the majors with a 4.89 ERA, including a starting rotation that has combined for an NL-worst 4.99 ERA.

 

[BobbyLayne]

5-9 since ASG.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Dombrowski since taking over as GM had a +104 WAR according to Grantland. That's ten wins a year.

For all the criticism of Detroit's farm system, he sure has been able to get some great players back. Smyly is one such example, a lefty that misses bats that was never on anyone's top 100 list.

I'm glad you mentioned that article, here is the whole thing for those who missed it.

http://grantland.com/features/dave-dombrowski-detroit-tigers/

 

[BobbyLayne]

STARTING PITCHERS

Detroit Tigers

RHP Justin Verlander (9-9, 4.79 ERA)

Lifetime vs. Rockies: 1-0, 1.84 ERA

Colorado Rockies

LHP Franklin Morales (5-5, 5.18 ERA)

Lifetime vs. Tigers: 0-0, 6.43 ERA

STARTING LINEUPS

(Statistics vs. opposing starter in parentheses)

Detroit Tigers

1. Rajai Davis, CF (4 for 7, 2 BB)

2. Ian Kinsler, 2B (1 for 2)

3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B (1 for 4, 1 SO)

4. Victor Martinez, DH (3 for 4, 3 RBI)

5. Torii Hunter, RF (2 for 4, 1 SO)

6. J.D. Martinez, LF

7. Nick Castellanos, 3B

8. Bryan Holaday, C

9. Eugenio, Suarez, SS

Colorado Rockies

1. Charlie Blackmon, LF (1 for 3)

2. Corey Dickerson, DH

3. Nolan Arenado, 3B

4. Justin Morneau, 1B (12 for 49, 5 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 8 BB, 15 SO)

5. Carlos Gonzalez, RF (0 for 4)

6. Drew Stubbs, CF (2 for 5)

7. Wilin Rosario, C

8. Josh Rutledge, SS

9. D.J. LeMahieu, 2B

GAME NOTES

-- Justin Verlander is making his 32nd inter-league start and has won his past 13 regular-season decisions against National League teams. He has a career record of 24-2 and a 2.75 ERA in inter-league play.

-- David Price, acquired in from Tampa Bay before Thursday's trade deadline, isn't expected in Detroit until Saturday.

-- Rajai Davis is starting in center field and batting leadoff after Thursday's trade that sent Austin Jackson to Seattle. Davis said the move isn't a big adjustment since he was a center fielder during his minor-league days.

-- Outfielder Ezequiel Carrera and left-handed pitcher Patrick McCoy, who were recalled from Toledo after Thursday's moves, are in Detroit and available vs. the Rockies. Ezequiel, who previously played for the Indians and Phillies, said he doesn't anticipate any problems adjusting to the outfield in Comerica Park since he's patrolled center field here in the past.

-- The Tigers had a 13-13 record in July, marking the 14th straight month they've had a record of .500 or better. They led the American League in batting average during July and were second with 125 runs scored.

-- Torii Hunter had 24 RBIs in July, second in the AL only to the 25 by David Ortiz of Boston.

-- The Tigers are 6-4 in inter-league play this season.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Andy Dirks to start in LF and bat lead off tonight for the West Michigan Whitecaps.

He's gonna be key.

I also wonder if Dombrowski saw some waiver claims guys he liked. Carrera and Davis works for now, and may work going forward with Dirks sharing time with JD Martinez. Basically JD 65% of the time, Dirks 60%, Davis 50% Carrera 25% for LF/CF. I think it can work.

I wish they could just drop Romine, he's a complete waste of a roster space as basically an emergency MIFer.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Just watched Austin Jackson hitting for the Mariners, man did that look strange.

As long as he's not playing the Tigers, I'm rooting for him.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Solid JV, sloppy Joe. Magic number is 52.

 

[Da Guru]

Just watched Austin Jackson hitting for the Mariners, man did that look strange.

As long as he's not playing the Tigers, I'm rooting for him.

Amazing that players can even perform at all under conditions like that. One afternoon you get called in the middle on an inning and been told you are traded, then you fly cross country that night and in the lineup for a new team the next day. Leaving everything behind. A-Jax was probably standing in CF thinking..HTF am I going to get my car, who is going to watch my dog, all my chit is in Detroit and I am on a 7 day road trip for Seattle. The same for Price, Smyley and any player that gets traded mid-season. Days off to take care of business are few.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Just watched Austin Jackson hitting for the Mariners, man did that look strange.

As long as he's not playing the Tigers, I'm rooting for him.

Amazing that players can even perform at all under conditions like that. One afternoon you get called in the middle on an inning and been told you are traded, then you fly cross country that night and in the lineup for a new team the next day. Leaving everything behind. A-Jax was probably standing in CF thinking..HTF am I going to get my car, who is going to watch my dog, all my chit is in Detroit and I am on a 7 day road trip for Seattle. The same for Price, Smyley and any player that gets traded mid-season. Days off to take care of business are few.

Yeah, though it seems Price caught a break being in between starts. He is reporting to Comerica for the first time today.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

1. Rajai Davis ® CF

2. Ian Kinsler ® 2B
3. Miguel Cabrera ® 1B
4. Victor Martinez (S) DH
5. Torii Hunter ® RF
6. J.D. Martinez ® LF
7. Nick Castellanos ® 3B
8. Alex Avila (L) C
9. Eugenio Suarez ® SS

 

[BobbyLayne]

STARTING PITCHERS

Detroit Tigers

Rick Porcello (12-5, 3.24 ERA)

Lifetime vs. Rockies: 1-1, 7.00 ERA

Colorado Rockies

Tyler Matzek (2-5, 4.39 ERA)

Lifetime vs. Tigers: 0-0, 0.00 ERA

Colorado Rockies

1. Charlie Blackmon, RF (2 for 2)

2. Josh Rutledge, SS

3. Corey Dickerson, LF

4. Nolan Arenado, 3B

5. Justin Morneau, DH (9 for 34, 3 2Bs, 6 RBIs, 4 SOs)

6. Drew Stubbs, CF

7. Wilin Rosario, 1B

8. Michael McKenry, C

9. Charlie Culberson, 2B

GAME NOTES

-- Pitcher David Price, who was acquired by Tigers from Tampa Bay in Thursday's blockbuster three-team trade, was at Comerica Park and met with the media before the game.

-- None of the Tigers hitters have faced Colorado starter Matzek.

-- Davis is hitting .361 in 72 at-bats this season with runners in scoring position. He has five doubles, two homers and 29 RBIs in those situations.

-- Hunter was named the Tigers Player of the Month after batting .364, scoring 17 runs and picking up five doubles, one triple, six homers and 24 RBIs in July.

-- Max Scherzer was named the Tigers Pitcher of the Month for July after posting a 4-0 record and 2.08 ERA to go with 35 strikeouts in 34.2 innings pitched. He was one of five AL pitchers with at least four decisions to go unbeaten in July.

-- Cabrera enters tonight's game with a .408 career average in 152 at-bats against the Rockies. He has nine homers, one triple, 12 doubles and 29 RBIs in 40 career games vs. Colorado. He has at least one hit in 21 of his last 22 games against the Rockies and leads all active players in batting average vs. Colorado.

-- The Tigers have a 100-57 record in interleague play since 2006. Their .637 winning percentage is second only to Boston (.658).

 

[BobbyLayne]

New Tiger David Price thrilled to join team with a one-track mind: World Series or bust

Tony Paul The Detroit News 59 minutes ago

Detroit - Justin Verlander, desperate for some new golfing buddies, wanted his new teammate to join his foursome Saturday morning.

But David Price just wanted to get to the ballpark, and start this new chapter of an already spectacular baseball career.

So the new Tigers ace pitcher arrived at Comerica Park around 1:30 p.m. Saturday, worked his way out to the field for a bullpen session around 2 p.m., and had a quick chat with general manager Dave Dombrowski around 2:30 p.m.

Dombrowski ended the brief conversation with a pat on the back.

Price is a Tiger, and he's got the uniform to prove it.

"It's cool. I feel like that's how I used to write, in cursive, when I was a kid in elementary school," Price said, looking down at the white Old English D on his navy-blue warmup jersey. "Being one of the final pieces of this puzzle, it's a cool feeling. What these guys have here is definitely something special. They have a one-track mind, and that's getting to the World Series, and not only playing that last game, but winning it.

"I'm looking forward to being a part of that."

That Price was traded from the Rays on Thursday was not, at all, a surprise. He's a free agent after next season, and the coupon-clipping Rays had no chance to keep him long-term.

But that he ended up in Detroit? Well, yeah, that was a shocker.

After all, mostly what everyone had heard in recent days - Price included - centered on the likes of the Dodgers, the Pirates, and the Cardinals.

That said, Tigers reliever Joba Chamberlain, a good friend of Price's from their days together in the American League East, seemed to have an inkling earlier this month, when Price and Rick Porcello squared off in a Sunday night game at Comerica Park. Chamberlain joked to Price: Hey, why don't you just stay here?

"I was like, 'No chance, man,'" Price said, laughing.

Then Price heard from Chamberlain again Thursday morning, when Price was in the middle of a round of golf.

"Joba texted that morning and said, 'Make sure you bring your sticks,'" Price said. "I was like, we already came to Detroit."

It was Thursday morning when the rumors started amping up, so Price cut off his golf game and headed to Tropicana Field for some light throwing - and, frankly, some peace and quiet. It's the park, after all, where he feels most comfortable, and feeling comfortable is key during times of such great upheaval.

A little while later, he heard from his agent, Bo McKinnis, that he was likely to be moved, and that it would likely be to Detroit. And just before 4 p.m., he learned what the rest of us learned: Incredibly, he was Tigers-bound, in a deal that cost Detroit its center fielder, Austin Jackson, and a starting pitcher, Drew Smyly.

Price took in the news on his couch, with his girlfriend and his dog. The TV was off. He just wanted a moment to reflect and just how his life had changed in an instant.

"It was a lot to go through. I'd never been in that situation before," said Price, the No. 1 overall pick by the Rays out of Vanderbilt in the 2007 draft. "It was the longest tenure in baseball I've ever had, longer than high school, longer than college, longer than the summer ball team I played with for six years. But I'm confident in my people skills to get to know the guys on the team I don't already know."

In Detroit, he not only comes from a city that didn't draw big crowds to one that sells out almost nightly during the summer - "My legs were shaking in the bullpen, it's all new," Price said - but he joins a star-studded rotation that also includes the likes of fellow Cy Young winners Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, not to overlook Anibal Sanchez and Rick Porcello.

Price seems to relish the fact he doesn't have to be "the guy" here, like he was expected to be in Tampa Bay, but rather just one of the guys.

In short, he said, he fits in.

So, too, it seems will Price's celebrity dog, Astro, a 5-year-old French bulldog who hasn't made his way to Detroit yet -- but should arrive sometime during the next home stand later this month. Tigers fans have been all over Twitter not only welcoming Price, but also Astro, which made Price smile. Heck, when Price arrived at his hotel Friday night, there even was a doggy bag and dog treats for him.

"It was 2009, I was living by myself in Tampa," Price said, recalling how Astro came to be. "I needed a friend, you know. He's pretty special to me."

In turn, Price already is special to Tigers fans, many of whom think Price is the addition the Tigers needed to finally get them over the hump -- and into a World Series parade down Woodward.

Price, the tall left-hander who turns 29 later this month, comes to Detroit with a suitcase of impressive credentials, including the 2012 Cy Young Award - a race in which he barely beat out his new teammate and soon-to-be golfing buddy, Verlander.

This year, he is 11-8 with a 3.11 ERA, and he leads the league in strikeouts and innings pitches. His last 13 starts, in fact, he's gone at least seven innings -- while over the last month, the Tigers entire staff has gone seven innings just 12 times.

The workload is a source of great pride for Price, whose philosophy is to get a better out on three pitches or less -- none of this screwing around when you get ahead with two quick strikes.

It's an approach the Tigers definitely will welcome.

"These guys have been throwing the ball well, so I want to come in and build on that," said Price, whose Tigers debut is expected to be Tuesday at Yankee Stadium -- which would put him in line to make his Comerica Park debut Aug. 15. (Get your tickets now.)

"I don't want to be the odd man out. If I can throw the ball the way I have over the past two months, I think I'll fit in just fine."

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Anyone with a dog named Astro is ok in my book.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

woof

 

[BobbyLayne]

http://youtu.be/EL91C2wg8-w

 

[Raider Nation]

Rules

 

[Gopher State]

good to see JV having a good outing last night, he is the key to the tigers post season run

 

[fred_1_15301]

good to see JV having a good outing last night, he is the key to the tigers post season run

Why is he the key? Even if he falters, the Tigers still have 4 very good pitchers. I would think they can make a long run (and even win it all) regardless of how Verlander pitches.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Don't feed the trolls Fred