2009 Record: 87-77 .528
Run Differential: +53
Last year I predicted Detroit to win the AL Central Division and advance to the playoffs. I was right--sort of. Losing in the 163rd game cost them the division crown and a chance to scare teams with their formidable top of the rotation. The fact that the Tigers made it that close surprised many. How could a team finish ten games over .500 despite the nagging injuries and awful back of the rotation? Great defense was the main root. The Tigers defense up the middle was sensational and the top of their rotation really was that good. Justin Verlander established himself as the best pitcher in the American League while Edwin Jackson finally capitalized on his full potential. Curtis Granderson continued to be a fine player defensively and set a career high in home runs with 30. Unfortunately, not making the playoffs cost this team a lot of revenue. Buried behind huge contracts to Miguel Cabrera, Dontrelle Willis, and Magglio Ordonez motivated the team make separate trades involving their most popular player and a starting pitcher bubbling with potential.
In return the Tigers get younger, which is key for a team this reliant upon aging players but they likely cost themselves a chance at an American League Central division crown.
