Fantasy Baseball Daily: Tigers Hope to Shut Off Their Leaky 9th-Inning "Valve"

The Detroit Tigers have signed 30 year-old Jose Valverde to handle their closing duties with a 2-year, $14 million contract (with a $9 million club option for a third year).

After watching their bullpen blow 24 saves and losing Fernando Rodney and Brandon Lyon, who combined for 40 of the clubs 42 saves in 09', to free agency, the Tigers were desperate for a reliever with closer experience. Valverde fits the bill after posting 25 saves with a 2.33 ERA for the Astros last year, and 167 career saves overall. Whether or not he is worth $7 million a year and the loss of the Tigers' first-round pick (19th overall) in June is certainly up for debate. But as a fantasy baseball manager I obviously couldn't care less as long as he performs in line with his draft slot.

Although he has pitched exclusively in the NL throughout his career, he should have no problem making the transition to the offensively superior AL. He has pitched in hitter friendly parks in both Arizona and Houston, so moving to pitcher-friendly Comerica Park should mostly cancel out any drop in production.

Considering his predecessor, Rodney, managed 37 saves despite a 4.40 ERA and 1.47 WHIP, Valverde should easily surpass the 25 saves he reached with the Astros.

If he remains healthy, I would expect numbers close to his career averages, 3.17 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP to go along with about 35 saves, putting him in the upper echelon of closers for the 2010 season.