The Tigers and Red Sox made moves on the closing front today. The Tigers designated Jose Valverde for assignment. Koji Uehara gets the job for the Red Sox. No word on what happens to Andrew Bailey.
Closing Time
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Tag Archives: Jose Valverde
Skeptical Singing
Stephanie K is sure that Jose Valverde is the answer to the Tigers’ bullpen woes:
It’s Not Easy Being Green
Jose Valverde returned to the Tigers and to the closer role:
Valverde was the Tigers’ closer the last three years, but the team was prepared to let him leave as a free agent after he faltered during the 2012 postseason. But he never signed elsewhere, and Detroit brought him back on a minor league deal.
He pitched three scoreless innings at Class-A Lakeland, and now he’s being called all the way back up to the majors.
It seems the Tigers didn’t like the idea of closer by committee.
They Flew Through a Flaw in the Flue
Jose Valverde says he fixed the flaw in his delivery that took him out of the ALCS:
“Leyland knows what he’s doing. If he wants to put me in the seventh or eighth, I’ll be there,” Valverde told The Detroit News.
This at least gives the Tigers more options with an already strong staff.
Valverde Benched
Jim Leyland say Jose Valverde won’t close in game two:
Jose Valverde won’t close for the Detroit Tigers in Game 2 of the AL championship series but manager Jim Leyland says the reliever is keeping his role for now.
“I guess that sounds like I am mud watching, but I am really not. I still consider him the closer, but he will not close the game,” Leyland said. “We will do some work with him.”
Leyland did not name a replacement, which makes it sound like he’ll go on matchups.
How Green was my Valley?
The Green and Gold pounded the green closer Wednesday night as the Athletics score three runs against Jose Valverde in the ninth inning to beat the Tigers 4-3. Seth Smith delivered the big hit, a double to drive in two and tie the game. Seth looks like he’ll be the MVP of the series if Oakland can hang on for the win. Coco Crisp singled in Smith to win the game. It was the 15th walk off win for the A’s this season. Jim Leyland gets the quote of the day:
“That’s why this is the greatest game of all,” Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. “It looked like we were going to get it. We didn’t do it. We didn’t quite get the 27 outs, that’s part of the game. You get tested all the time in this game. And this is a good test.”
With the win, Oakland has a chance to reverse their history in which they won the first two games but lost the series.
J.V. Game
Justin Verlander pitches eight scoreless innings, but Jose Valverde gives up a double, single, sacrifice fly, and a two-out Ryan Sweeney triple to allow the game to be tied in the top of the ninth. The Tigers bat in the bottom of the ninth.
Empty Pen
The Tigers will not use Joaquin Benoit and Jose Valverde this afternoon. It looks like Justin Verlander needs to go the distance against Texas. No pressure there.
Quiet Tenth
Jose Valverde retires the Rangers 1-2-3 in the top of the tenth. The Tigers get another chance to score a run for the win in the bottom of the inning.
J.V. Game
Justin Verlander and Jose Valverde combine to hold the Angels to one run as the Tigers remain hot, taking the game 5-1. Austin Jackson collected three more hits, following up a bottom of the order that went five for ten with four runs scored.
Verlander was nearly unhittable, allowing three safeties in 8 1/3 innings without a walk. He didn’t allow a run until the ninth, causing Valverde to come in to get the last two outs. Detroit goes to 16-10, 1/2 game out in the central after a 7-3 run over their last 10 games and five wins in a row.
Tiger of the Green Valley
The Tigers signed Jose Valverde to a two-year contract with an option for a third season. This is a nice move by Detroit as they continue to rely on pitching and defense. Jose is a superb closer with an astronomical strikeout rate who walks very few batters. With his high K rate, opponents hit just .208 against him for his career.
The Astros are also happy, as they receive two draft choices for losing their star closer.