Why are the Tigers better than advertised?
There are many reasons, but the biggest, by far, is pitching.
Last year, as they posted an MLB-worst 98 losses, the Tigers’ team ERA was 5.36, highest in MLB.
After sweeping the White Sox over the weekend to pull within a game of .500, and remain just 2.5 games out of the American League Central lead, the Tigers’ team ERA had fallen to 4.19.
Why is the Tigers’ pitching better? A major factor has been the additions of starting pitchers Mike Fiers ($6 million) and Francisco Liriano ($4 million), veterans signed to reasonable one-year contracts, who can possibly be flipped at the trade deadline.
Those were good moves by general manager Al Avila.
The Tigers have lost Miguel Cabrera to injury for the season, and have actually played better without him (20-15) than with him (16-22).
Why?
Because the Tigers are more athletic and versatile with the additions of third baseman Jeimer Candelario, utility player Niko Goodrum and center fielder Leonys Martin. Candelario is tied for 21st in the AL in WAR (2.0). Martin, a 30-year-old veteran with good tools, has become a much more patient hitter. He is at 1.6 WAR on a $1.75 million one-year deal, which is an excellent contract value. He might interest other teams at the deadline as well. Candelario, picked up from the Cubs in the Justin Wilson/Alex Avila deal last year, and Martin have been the Tigers’ best players. Goodrum, a minor league free agent, has a .776 OPS, well above the MLB average (.722). The trio, combined, is making roughly $3 million.
John Hicks, the minor league veteran signed last season, has a better WAR (0.6) than Cabrera (0.5).
Those were excellent acquisitions by Al Avila, all signs the Tigers have moved into the modern age, finally, by effectively implementing analytics.
The Tigers’ shifts defensively have been more precise. Detroit’s pitchers are working the strike zone more wisely as it relates to baseball in 2018. The hitting approaches have been vastly improved.
It’s a credit to manager Ron Gardenhire. I was skeptical about the Gardenhire signing because of his lack of an analytics background. But evidently he learned a lot as the bench coach with the Diamondbacks last season, and has grown along with the game. His message in the clubhouse has been heard by his team. It’s simply been to play hard, aggressively and smart - and let the chips fall where they may.
In retrospect, Avila was wise to hire Gardenhire - and pitching coach Chris Bosio, who has worked wonders with holdovers Blaine Hardy, Matthew Boyd, Joe Jimenez and Shane Greene. Along with bringing the Tigers’ up-to-date analytically, it’s paid off with a surprisingly good beginning to the 2018 season.
Does it mean the Tigers are where they ultimately want to be? No, there are several key decisions yet to be made, and much more roster building for the club to actually become legitimate contenders.
Yet, it has provided a clue to where the Tigers are going, and is a credit, above all else, to Avila.
He talked about a plan.
And so far it’s working well.