Tigers trying to inch back to respectability

According to Yahoo Sports Tim Brown, the Tigers made an offer to Houston closer, Jose Valverde.

Valverde is a former all-star who saved 47 and 44 games during the '07 and '08 seasons, respectively. Last year, the save total dropped to 25. Even during his all-star year of '07, Valverde's save percentage was only 87%. For comparison sake:

Rodney - 97%
Rivera - 96%
Papelbon - 93%
Soria - 91%
Nathan - 90%
Wood - 77%

Valverde's stats puts him roughly in the middle of the pack. I like his ERA - 2.3 (career 3.17), and his WHIP is solid - 1.1. I'm in favor of this signing, as it gives the Tigers a respectable major league closer. Hopefully, it'll get done.

Then they can focus on signing an outfield, because currently they have only one position filled - Ordonez at right field. He's not what I would call a defensive stopper, so let's get the guy some friggin' help.

Howard
Slowly but surely, young Jimmy Howard has improved his game this year. Last night, the young man stopped an astonishing 51 shots from the Kings. He allowed just 1 goal in the 2-1 win. With Osgood sucking majorly earlier in the year, the Wings had no choice but to throw Howard the keys to the car. Howard was inconsistent at first - in fact I wanted to ship him away early on. But he's since played like a friggin' all-star. Major kudos to Jimmy Howard for persevering and proving us all wrong!