Pat Caputo: Tigers Best Friends Might Be Supposed Foes From The A.L. Central
With June about to turn to July, the Tigers are in a familiar place — a nightly struggle to remain at or near the top of the American League Central standings.
The Tigers do appear improved this season from the previous two. Victor Martinez is a huge addition. They have Jhonny Peralta for the entire year. Last season, he didn't arrive from Cleveland, really, until it was too late.
And Justin Verlander has taken a step forward to utter brilliance.
But their biggest edge isn't just a possible improvement by the Tigers, but the spotty play of the remainder of the A.L. Central.
Prior to the start of the season, it figured to be one of the best divisions in baseball. Instead, the Tigers find themselves trying to fight off the pesky Indians, who, despite being in rebuilding mode, got off to a tremendous start this season and, despite problems lately, have still managed to cling to a high position in the standings.
The Twins? The White Sox? Their struggles have been as perplexing as the Indians' initial surge was surprising.
The Twins can no longer be viewed as a small market team. First of all, Minneapolis-St. Paul ranks among the 16 largest media markets in the country. Secondly, the Twins are no longer saddled by a ball park that is as contemporary as avocado green furniture and platform shoes. They have a brand new stadium fans are flocking to. The Twins' player payroll is over $100 million, as is the White Sox.
The Tigers, actually, are spending less on players than the Twins and White Sox this season. The Yankees, while still solid, aren't nearly daunting an opponent as in the past. The Rays have let a lot of their talent go for financial reasons.
The A.L. Central should be challenging the A.L. East for the best division in the league, but isn't.
