Detroit Tigers: Eyebrow-Raising Player Transactions #30-21

Aug 7, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Baseball on the pitchers mound before the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

30. Joel Zumaya: More Injuries than Pitches

In 2006, Joel Zumaya was an unstoppable force as a relief pitcher. He dominated the mound in 2006 with a 1.94 ERA and 1.176 WHIP. At this time in his career, the home grown Zumaya earned just $327,000. Unfortunately, during the 2006 ALCS, he was unable to pitch because he injured himself playing Guitar Hero. Despite this odd injury, he continued to pitch for the Tigers as a reliever and for under $1 million for four more years. During those four years, he continued to suffer from injuries, like the 2007 moving injury that kept him out of the 2008 season for the first few month.

Even though the Tigers knew about his tendencies for injury, the Tigers signed Zumaya to a $1.4 million contract for 2011. Then, he injured his elbow and needed surgery. This left the Tigers without a solid reliever, again. At the young age of 26, he finished his career pitching for the Tigers. He was signed by the Minnesota Twins in 2012, but he never threw in one game after tearing a ligament in his elbow during Spring Training. In his short career, he only finished one season – 2006.

Jul 13, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins former pitcher Jack Morris throws to first base during the MLB legends and celebrity softball game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

29. Mike Moore: The Second Coming of Jack Morris? NOT!

This pitcher threw for the Tigers for three long years. Sparky Anderson thought he would be one of the best free agent signings the Tigers ever saw; but in reality, it was anything but. Moore started in a total of 86 games and lost 34 of them. Of course, no pitcher should be judged on their win-loss record, but he was not a good pitcher in 1993-1995. In 1993, he gave up a league-leading 35 home runs and in 1994, he gave up a league-leading 89 walks. He gave up the same amount of walks in 1994, but someone else actually gave up more.

Prior to his arrival in Detroit, the legendary Sparky Anderson thought he would be the next Jack Morris. About the only thing the two pitchers shared was the first letter in their last names. Fans remember Morris, even if they were not born when he pitched. Moore is a pitcher that no one wants to remember, even if they saw him pitch live. In his final year of pitching, which happened to be with the Tigers, his ERA was a shocking 7.53 and his WHIP was an abysmal 1.862.

This signing was a $10 million goof made by the Tigers.

Next: #28 Stayed For Just Too Long

Sep 18, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; General view of the right field lights that went out prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

28. Brandon Inge: Stuck Around Too Long

For several years, Brandon Inge was a regular component of the Detroit Tigers roster between 2001 and 2012. Even though Inge was really just an average player with a pair of non-consecutive good years, the Tigers repeatedly rewarded him with substantial contracts. These transactions surprised many fans and critics simply because his highest WAR was 4.9 in 2006, which was also one of two years that he hit 27 home runs. He frequently landed in the top ten for strikeouts. On the defensive side, Inge was often the league leader in errors at third base despite ESPN rewarding him with the 2006 third baseman defensive play of the year.

Dave Dombrowski wanted to keep Inge for much longer than he should have, which is why he gave Inge an $11 million contract for 2011 and 2012. This contract also included a $6 million extension or $500,000 buy-out for 2013. The disappointing part of this contract was Inge’s playing in 2011. He hit .197/.283/.548 in 110 games. His WAR for 2011 was -1.0. Unfortunately for the Tigers and for Inge, the poor performance continued into 2012. The team released him and he signed with the Oakland A’s, keeping the Tigers from having to pay the remainder of the $5.5 million they owed him for 2012.

Next: #27 Always a Tiger Killer

Sep 1, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Joe Nathan (36) celebrates a 12-1 over the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

27. Joe Nathan. Chin Flicks for Everyone.

Joe Nathan was only with the Tigers for two seasons – well, really only one season and an at-bat. After killing the Tigers when he pitched for the Twins and the Rangers, fans were excited to learn he was coming to Detroit in 2014. He continued to kill the Tigers in late innings, giving up home runs, hits, and walks instead of saving and closing games. Along with blowing saves, he blew the relationship he could have had with the fans. At the beginning of the 2015 season, he injured his elbow, requiring a season-ending second Tommy John surgery. At the end of the 2015 season, the Tigers gave him $1 million not to play for them anymore after he was already paid $20 million for the two years he was with the team. Tigers fans exhaled a sigh of relief when he left Comerica Park for the last time.

Next: #26 Not the Savior of 2004

Aug 26, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher

Justin Verlander

(35) pitches to Los Angeles Angels catcher

Chris Iannetta

(17) in the ninth inning at Comerica Park. Detroit won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

26. Fernando Vina. Did He or Didn’t He?

The Tigers have had some disappointing contracts, but this was one of the worst. Fernando Vina was a Gold Glove second baseman who was signed at the end of the 2003 season. He was supposed to be the guy that helped bring the team back after the worst season it ever had. The Tigers awarded him with a $6 million contract for 2004 and 2005. He only played in 29 games with 26 hits and 7 RBIs. His season and career ended with knee surgery for torn cartilage. He never played another game after that injury in May of 2004. The rumor was that Vina had the injuries prior to signing with the Tigers, simply because he wanted the big deal from them.

Next: #25 Injuries & Guaranteed Money. Again.

Aug 9, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Mickey Mouse performs during the seventh inning stretch of the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

25. Jeremy Bonderman. Injuries and Big Money Don’t Mix.

Jeremy Bonderman was originally drafted by the Oakland Athletics, but in August 2002, he was sent to the Tigers to complete a complex deal made in July of the same year. When he began with the Tigers, he was a healthy player who worked hard to become a better pitcher. His rookie year was 2003, where no Tiger performed well. He continued with the team and for the first four years, he actually lowered his ERA each year. His best season was 2006 where he threw a 4.08 ERA with a WHIP of 1.299. Honestly, these numbers are nothing to be proud of, especially when some starting pitchers finish with ERAs under 1.00.

In 2006, the Tigers gave him a four-year contract worth $38 million. He was arbitration-eligible and at the back-end of the rotation. In 2007 and 2008, his ERA increased. Once he signed the contract, his elbow began to trouble him. Instead of informing Jim Leyland, Bonderman continued to pitch. This led to his elbow getting worse. He never recovered and by 2009 (when his annual contract was for $12.5 million) he pitched in 10.1 innings with a 8.71 ERA. In 2010, he pitched in the rotation again, but that was his last season in the big leagues with the Tigers when they released him into free agency. He eventually resigned to the Tigers in their minor leagues in 2013 after a short stint with the Seattle Mariners.

Of course, the Detroit Tigers management could not have predicted the injury, but a contract like that for a pitcher with those numbers is rarely a good idea.

Next: #24 Great Guy, but the Contract Stinks

Sep 23, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers designated hitter

Victor Martinez

(41) at bat against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

24. Victor Martinez. A Contract for What Was. 

Victor Martinez has established himself as one of the leaders of the team and in 2014, he established himself as one of the best hitters in baseball. At the end of the 2014 season, when Martinez achieved an oWAR of 5.8 with his league-leading 28 intentional base-on-balls, .409 OBP, and .974 OPS, he was a free agent. Instead of another team grabbing this gem of a player, the Tigers resigned him with a monstrous contract. In 2015, Martinez was awarded $14 million and for the next three years, the Tigers will pay him $18 million annually.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, Martinez reinjured his knee prior to 2015 spring training. In 2016, Martinez will be 37 years old. Even before the reinjury, he could barely run the bases. Who knows what shape Martinez will be in for the upcoming season? All the fans and other players know is that he will be getting that $18 million whether he swings another bat or not.

Next: #23 Dombrowski's Worst Deal. EVER.

Oct 6, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher

Doug Fister

(58) pitches during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants in game three of the 2014 NLDS baseball playoff game at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

23. Doug Fister Trade. Dombrowski at His Worst.

Dave Dombrowski was loved by fans for his big trades and acquisitions. Unfortunately for DD, his tenure with the Tigers will forever be tainted by the awful “Doug Fister Trade.” This trade in December 2013 sent pitcher Doug Fister to the Washington Nationals. In his place, the Tigers received Robbie Ray, Ian Krol, and Steve Lombardozzi. These three men are no longer with the team. Krol eventually turned into Shane Greene and he is the only remaining piece of the trade. In 2015, Shane Green started out strong, then completely fell apart due to an injury in his elbow that left his hand feeling numb. At this point, Greene is not a part of the rotation and his role in the bullpen in uncertain. This was definitely not one of DD’s best moment.

Next: #22 Long-time Tiger with a Contract that is Too Long

Jul 13, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander (35) delivers a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during the fifth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

22. Justin Verlander. Great Pitcher, with a HUGE Contract.

Verlander is a Tiger for life, simply because his contract is stinking large that no one would ever want to take it from the team. JV signed with the Tigers as the second pick of the 2004 draft and he has been with the team ever since. He is one of the best pitchers the Tigers have ever had and his contributions to the team are matched only by pitchers like Hal Newhouser and Jack Morris.

Verlander’s contract is a serious albatross. He is signed through 2020 for $28 million per year with a slight decrease to $22 million in 2020. He is one of the highest paid players in the entire MLB and his contract is frequently cited as one of the worst in the league. Acquiring JV was a brilliant choice, but giving him the immense contract was not so smart. His contract, along with those belonging to Miguel Cabrera, Ian Kinsler, and Victor Martinez limit the money that other players can earn. Over the years, JV has done more to help the team than to hurt the team – he had an 8.4 WAR in 2011 and 7.8 in 2012. His numbers have not improved over the years. He had a 1.1 WAR in 2014 and 2.2 in 2015.

Next: #21 Paying Him NOT to Play for the Tigers

Aug 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter

Prince Fielder

(84) points to the crowd as he crosses home plate after hitting a home run in the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

21. Prince Fielder. In and Out of the Tigers

This trade was quite a blockbuster. In January 2012, Dave Dombrowski knew that he needed a hitter to replace the injured Victor Martinez. He selected then free-agent Prince Fielder. Dombrowski definitely figured that Fielder would become a Tiger for life when he gave the second-generation home run hitter a contract for nine years and $214 million. At the time, this trade seemed amazing and for two years, Fielder delivered as predicted. In 2012 and 2013, he made it to the All-Star Game and played in all 162 games. It seemed he was determined to give Detroit what they paid for.

Then, the off-season in 2013 happened. There was something clearly wrong with Fielder and his attitude with the team. His bellyflop in Game 6 of the ALCS was the defining moment that something was wrong in Detroit. After the Tigers lost to the Red Sox in 2013, rumors flew about the future of Fielder with the Tigers.

Next: Eyebrow-Raising Transactions #20-11

Then, Dombrowski moved Fielder to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Ian Kinsler. While Kinsler has been an asset to the Tigers in his two years with the team, the Tigers have not only been paying Kinsler a top salary, but they have also been paying the Rangers $6 million each year NOT to have Fielder play with the Tigers. Financially, the Detroit Tigers lost the Prince Fielder trade – even with Fielder sitting out most of 2014 with a neck issue.