What do the Tigers' need to be competitive in 2009?
Well, as I've discussed all year and others have too, they need pitching and defense. Maybe I'm crazy, but would Randy Johnson fit the bill for pitching?
In 2008, pitching for Arizona, he was 11-10 with an ERA of 3.91. I know, ERA isn't the best indicator of ability. How about WHIP of 1.239? That is better than everyone on the '08 Tigers' staff except Galarraga. He had 173 strikeouts in 184 innings pitched (8.46 K/9) and only 44 walks (2.15 BB/9). Of course he also gave up a hit per inning so he can't afford to have too many other guys on base ahead of the guy getting the hit. His HR/9 1.17 which seems a little high (but it's better than 1.61 isn't it Mr. Robertson).
I don't know if he would do as well against American League hitting. On the other hand this is Randy Johnson! When he pitched for the Yankees a couple of years ago his WHIP was comparable (but his ERA was higher). His W/L record for the Yankees was 34 and 19 over those two years, so he must have been doing something right.
It's only a thought. The Diamondbacks can't afford him and he wants to pitch. I think that the Tigers could do much worse. Maybe he and Sheffield can get their milestones on the same team in the same season!
