Rotation Remains Up In The Air For Second Half

In 2010, Detroit lost its last game and fell out of first place in the AL Central, overtaken by the Chicago White Sox.

The Tigers lost four straight to Cleveland and seven in a row overall, then at month's end lost Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Guillen and Brandon Inge to significant injuries in less than a week. Their season was effectively over.

Detroit reversed the situation in 2011, beating Kansas City, 2-1, in the final game before the All-Star break to sneak past Cleveland into first place in the AL Central. The Tigers are optimistic they can solve some big problems during the second half. "This (division) is going to be up for grabs," manager Jim Leyland said. "The White Sox and the Twins are right there, we're right there, Cleveland's right there. It's better than being down, behind."

The Tigers ended the traditional first half of the season with Justin Verlander winning his 12th game and will open play after the break with Verlander on the mound, against the White Sox, seeking his 13th win. That has to be cause for optimism right there, and don't believe Leyland hasn't had it planned that way for a long, long time.

The biggest thing for Detroit will be to straighten out its pitching staff. The bullpen, although its numbers don't declare it, is strong at the end with Joaquin Benoit and Jose Valverde, and the others will sort themselves out.

But the starters in back of Verlander and Max Scherzer are a concern -- and even Scherzer hasn't been all that solid.

The only victories by starters outside Verlander and Scherzer are two by Rick Porcello and one by Brad Penny. Maybe that's why Leyland is going to realign his rotation after the break to read Verlander, Scherzer, Penny, Porcello and Mr. X.

They sent Charlie Furbush down just so he could start during the break, while hinting they may not bring him back. Another rookie, Duane Below, has pitched well and could get a shot. Or they could make a leap of faith and bring up top prospect Jacob Turner, although this is not likely from an organization limiting both his pitches and his innings this year.

The addition of Victor Martinez has worked out better than hoped. Not only has he adjusted to playing DH, he has provided the protection for cleanup man Miguel Cabrera the organization has looked for the last couple of years.

If Ryan Raburn has his third straight strong second half, that would solve the production problem Detroit has needed from its second basemen since it let Placido Polanco go two winters ago.

Third base is different. Inge has hit less since he came back from mononucleosis than he did before -- and he wasn't hitting then.

Detroit could make a deal for a reliable second or third baseman; not a star but someone who won't embarrass himself defensively while at the same time capable of driving in 30-40 runs from late July on. Both Raburn and Inge are on two-year contracts, which will be a factor. If Raburn perks up, the Tigers will live with Inge's 0-fors.

It wouldn't be a surprise to see GM Dave Dombrowski swing a deal for an innings-eating starter but it would be an eyebrow raiser if it was a high-profile pitcher.

Detroit would not give up Turner and the only other prospect likely to bring back decent talent in return, Andy Oliver, is struggling now.

What Detroit could wind up doing is something similar to the move it made at the trade deadline in 2009, bringing in veteran free-agent-to-be Jarrod Washburn in exchange for prospect Luke French.

The Tigers have 10-14 days to see if the firing of pitching coach Rick Knapp caught the attention of its underperforming starters.

Even if they do, it's very likely the Tigers will go for outside help instead of Mr. X in the rotation.

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