DIVISIONAL OUTLOOK: AL Central—Veras to shore up Tigers pen

Detroit Tigers

The Tigers took a big step in stabilizing their shaky bullpen by acquiring Jose Veras (RHP, DET) in exchange for 19-year-old outfield prospect Danry Vasquez (OF, HOU). Joaquín Benoit (RHP, DET) has been perfect through his first 10 save opportunities, but getting to Benoit has been a bit of an adventure all season. Since Benoit became the closer, Al Alburquerque (RHP, DET) and Bruce Rondon (RHP, DET) have been the primary right-handed setup men. Drew Smyly (LHP, DET) and Phil Coke (LHP, DET) have been the lefthanders pitching in high leverage situations. Of the four, only Smyly has been consistently effective. Smyly has a 1.77 ERA/0.93 WHIP supported by a 9.6 Dom/4.6 Cmd resulting in an impressive 139 BPV. Veras has...

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