As the Tigers head into the final month on the regular season, there have been plenty of bright spots for the Tigers. Ace Justin Verlander pretty much has the AL Cy Young wrapped up and is without a doubt the most valuable player to the Tigers, Miguel Cabrera has had a nice season despite some off-season issues and Alex Avila has emerged as an all-star at the catcher position.
There’s also no denying the tremendous impact that closer Jose Valverde has had on this Tigers this season as well.
Valverde is in the final year of a two-year, $14 million dollar contract with an $8 million dollar club option for 2012 which Jon Heyman of SI.com believes the Tigers will surely pick up.
And why shouldn’t they? Valverde is 39 for 39 in save opportunities this season with sub 1.00 during non-save situations. He has a 2.62 ERA overall this season with a 1.303 WHIP in 61 appearances.
Sure the Tigers have arms at the back of the bullpen that have the capability to assume the closers role if Valverde weren’t here like a Joaquin Benoit and Al Alburquerque. However prior to Valverde Tigers fans were consistently on the edges of their seats watching guys like Fernando Rodney and Todd Jones come out during the 9th to close out games.
Valverde doesn’t make those 9th innings as dramatic which is a welcome sight.
Source: SI.com