The Detroit Tigers looked like a solid choice to win the AL Central title in 2011, after adding slugger Victor Martinez at DH and not losing any major components. Sure enough, they won the division, even with Martinez only posting a 2.9 fWAR on the season. They got contributions from plenty of players, and won the division in a cakewalk after the Indians collapsed in the second half of the year.
WHAT WENT RIGHTThe Tigers won the AL Central and made it to the ALCS primarily because of two players: Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander. Cabrera ranked second in the AL with a 1.034 OPS, and was worth 7.3 fWAR. Verlander was the Outside Corner's midseason Cy Young winner, leading the AL in most major pitching categories, and he was worth 7.0 fWAR. Take away those two players and replace them with guys that are replacement level, and the Tigers are a .500 team. In addition to those great seasons, Doug Fister was worth 2.4 fWAR in 70 innings after being acquired at the trading dea...
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November 04, 2011
