Tigers

It’s all about the ninth inning in Detroit, because the Tigers sure have those other innings covered. They lead the league in batting average, on-base percentage, starting pitching ERA and run differential. So they have just about all of their win-the-World-Series pieces in place — except for one. Now the mission is finding the right closer to shut down those big games in October that this team is almost destined to play. Unfortunately, at this point, there appear to be only two potentially available arms who would meet that description — Papelbon and Jesse Crain(he of the 29 consecutive scoreless appearances for the White Sox). “They’ve got the pieces to cash in for what they need,” one exec said. “And they’ve got the motivation. They really want to win for [owner Mike Ilitch]. And I think they’d just about back up the truck for the right piece.”

via MLB trade deadline preview – ESPN.

“Don’t be surprised if you see Papelbon end up in Detroit. If the Tigers have a chance to get the closer they need, they won’t let [a big asking price] stand in the way. So if you’re Ruben, how can you not do that if the Tigers step up the way I think they’re about to step up?”