Randy Johnson would be a good fit

With big name free agent pitchers, such as CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Derek Lowe will demand a lot of money. It’s true that a Ben Sheets is intriguing. With intrique though, comes the price of a top tier free agent. Randy Johnson, though 45, could be a good addition to the Tiger rotation.

Monday, on TigerTalk, a show hosted by Dan Dickerson and Pat Caputo on 97.1 The Ticket, The topic of Randy Johnson came up and I was automatically bought into the idea. With Kenny Rogers not returning to the Tigers most likely, Johnson could be the elder statesman on the staff.

At age 45, Johnson can still top 93 MPH and has become better at spotting his fastball. He believes that his improved location makes his fastball seem like the same 95 MPH fastball that blew by hitters in his dominant years in the nineties. Last season, with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Johnson put together a 3.91 Earned Run Average, while striking out 173 batters in 184 innings. Wonder about his Strength to go long into ballgames? Only four of Johnson’s thirty starts went less than five innings. Each of the four coming in a different month of the season. Think he cant dominate hitters like he used to? Six of his starts he struck out nine or more. Another seven he struck out seven or less. Basically, he seems like a fallback option in a free agent field that seems so deep, that it might be smarter to wait it out, and go with secondary options.

Bill James projects a 12-7 season in 28 starts with a 3.40 ERA and 178 ks in 170 innings pitched for Johnson in 2009.

With Johnson on the Staff, here is how the Starting Rotation could look:

1. Justin Verlander

2. Randy Johnson

3. Armando Galarraga

4. Jeremy Bonderman

5. Nate Robertson/Dontrelle Willis

Another Option to explore could be another veteran. Could the Tigers try and snag a much forgotten about Greg Maddux? I know that he would like to remain in southern California. He is retired for now, but could he come out with the right offer? It’s a possibility, but highly unlikely. Same goes for former left hand man Tom Glavine, who says if he returns in 2009, It will be with the Atlanta Braves.

Randy Johnson should be considered for the rotation.