Tigers express interest in free agent Livan Hernandez

November 15, 2007

By JON PAUL MOROSI

FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

The Tigers have expressed interest in signing free agent right-hander Livan Hernandez, the pitcher’s agent, Greg Genske, said Wednesday.

Hernandez, 32, is renowned for his durability. He has thrown 200 or more innings in nine of his 10 full seasons in the majors. The one time he did not, in 1999, he pitched 199 2/3 innings.

Though he has never pitched for an American League team, Hernandez could satisfy Detroit’s need for a veteran pitcher if Kenny Rogers signs elsewhere. Rogers, 43, told the Dallas Morning News this week that he would consider returning to the Texas Rangers.

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.93 ERA for the Arizona Diamondbacks this season. He split his two starts in the National League playoffs, defeating the Chicago Cubs in the Division Series and losing to the Colorado Rockies in the League Championship Series.

Hernandez played with current Tigers Gary Sheffield and Edgar Renteria on the Jim Leyland-managed 1997 Florida Marlins. Hernandez, then a rookie, was named MVP of the NLCS and World Series as Florida won the title.

Might as well sign Robb Nen, Jeff Conine and Craig Counsell while were at it...

Besides being fat, he's an innings eater, which will be nice to save wear/tear on the bully.

Not a bad option as a #4 or #5 starter, if the price is right.

Besides being fat, he's an innings eater, which will be nice to save wear/tear on the bully.

Not a bad option as a #4 or #5 starter, if the price is right.



True. Never thought of the innings part, it seemed like last year Verlander and Bondo would be up near 80+ pitches in the 5th.

That definitely needs to change in '08.

Besides being fat, he's an innings eater, which will be nice to save wear/tear on the bully.

Not a bad option as a #4 or #5 starter, if the price is right.

Honestly I think that's what the Tigers are missing - a fat starter. We have too many good athletes on this team.

Just look at the teams that made the playoffs this year - at least one fat starter.

New York - Clemens
Cleveland - Sabathia
Anaheim - Colon
Boston - Schilling

The Tigers had only one pitcher hit 200 innings last year - Verlander, who pitched 201.2. Next closest was was Robertson at 177.2. The previous season, when pitching was considered a strength, 3 of our starters were over 200 innings and Verlander was NOT one of them. Bottom line: innings eaters are priceless.

For further 2 cents - Andrew Miller is not ready yet. He truly needs one more year. Therefore, I say screw this stuff about getting another starter. We really need two more. They need to get Hernandez, on a 1 or 2 year deal, and Silva, on a 3 to 4 year deal. Pay whatever it takes. Silva at 4 years, $39 million is fine in my book, because he has averaged 194 innings over the last 4 years, the 4 years he's spent as a full-time starter.

In my mind that gives us Verlander, Bonderman, Silva, Hernandez and Robertson for next year. After that drop Hernandez or Robertson and plug in Miller if he develops the "out" pitch he so desperately need.

People keep talking about Robertson being a set spot and they shouldn't. He was on the DL last year and the only injury was suckiness. They chalked it up to fatigue and/or confidence issues, and yet people are ready to give him a spot in the top 3 or 4 on a club built to win it all. IMO there's only one, maybe two spots in this lineup that should be safe - Verlander and Bonderman - and even Bonderman is suspect after his 2nd half last year. He needs to step up big time and pitch 6 solid months instead of 3 or 4.

Yeah but Jethro, whether Andrew Miller is ready or not, as of right now he's pretty much penciled in as your 5th starter, and thats assuming Kenny comes back...

as it stands right now the roster in it's current form, he's your 4th starter...adding a starter or two should be a must right now for DD

Along the same lines, how close is Porcello to contributing?

I'm sure he needs at LEAST another year of seasoning in the minors, if not two. Porcello, that is.

I bet we don't see Porcello til' 2010

I bet we don't see Porcello til' 2010

Yeah, and we should be ecstatic if/when we do. What is he, 18?

Anyone think that the Tigers fed this to Morosi to mess with Kenny and Boros a bit?

Either way, I'm fine with it.