Will Justin Verlander come back to the Motor City and eventually retire as a Detroit Tiger?
That is a question that has been asked repeatedly since the day he was traded to the Houston Astros and it is one that will continue to be asked.
Many fans have said the Tigers should bring back Verlander but former Tigers skipper Jim Leyland warns against “paying for sentiment.”
From 97.1 the Ticket:
“I think you gotta be careful what you pay for sentiment,” said Leyland, who serves as a special assistant to Avila and the Tigers.
“It might be a nice story, but we don’t know how Justin’s going to come back,” Leyland said. “Would I love to see Justin finish in Detroit? Yes, I don’t want to sound hard-nosed here. I’m just saying, you gotta be careful with that. You don’t want to have a honeymoon if he’s not going to help this team. We need to win and we need to win pretty soon.
“If Justin’s a guy that can really help us, I wouldn’t bring him in just to tutor young pitchers. I would bring him in if he can win games for us, and there’s a good chance that he possibly can. I’m not saying he (can’t), so please, don’t take it the wrong way. But you gotta be careful getting involved with too much sentiment.”
Nation, what do you think about this?
I agree with Jim 100%.
Yes I agree, just don’t pay him millions and millions to have a story book ending….sentiment is basically worth ( $0)…… I love Justin but as Jimmy said if he can’t help tge team NO THANK YOU
2 words ……Jordan Zimmerman.?…
Sentiment? He left. Stay gone.
what a knucklehead, overrated as a manager, never won the big one in Detroit even though Ilitch gave him whomever he wanted. why listen to anything he has to say. anyone who would start a rookie Verlander over a veteran Rogers in the World Series should never be listened to. he costs us more than he won.
whoa …..really my man
Have to disagree on this one ….
WOW
You’re way off. You saw what happened to the Tigers when Leyland left. Ausmus screwed up everything. Leyland wasn’t perfect got them to two World Series. Aumus’ f ups cost another shot at a Series.
I think Jim is right. Of course we want to see JV back in Detroit. But he has to be able to do more than teach the young pitchers. I think that’s part of it, but he won’t be the same incredible workhorse he’s been for the past 20 seasons. Tommy John doesn’t ruin every pitcher. And knowing JV’s work ethic, he’s probably going to be major league ready by April. But he won’t be pitching complete games anymore. 6, maybe 7 innings tops. Which is fine as long as he can help the Tigers win. I think he will. I can’t wait to see him back where he belongs. A World Series championship in a Tiger uniform for Miggy and JV. It’s all possible with AJ at the helm!
I agree 100% – Mr. Leyland is exactly right you only bring in guys that can help you win and AJ understands that as well! No sentimental journeys especially with this club getting closer to contending!
I agree it would be best for Verlander and the Tigers if he signs with a new team and does well-this year especially it seems Detroit fans have a very short leash on many players-have a couple rough games and the talk starts about demotion and bench sitting or even release. The bashing is vicious and suddenly quiet when the player improves. If Justin got off to a roaring start, that would be great, but if he struggles and he just might, the backlash would start. I hope he gets a clean slate and does well while the Tigers continue seeing the capabilites of young pitchers.
So they have paid for hurt pitchers for the last 4 years because they were listed as inning eaters. Bring back Verlander to win………
What besides sentimental non-value is Leyland still hanging around for exactly? Jimmy Mumbles needed to go LONG AGO along with Avila. Let the crew go, man. Hinch is what you hoped for the future let’s ask him instead of geezer.
Agree with Leyland.
Screw JV. He dumped Detroit
Ask yourself…who will he replace? I, for one, don’t want to lose a good young player for the sake of sentiment.
Verlander is an ASTRO now! Forget Detroit
Maybe JV can teach the Tigers how to steal signals!
They brought in steve Avery just so he could qualify for his 10 year big league pension and his arm was falling off
Play brought in Steve Avery just so he could qualify for his 10 year big league pension and his arm was falling off
Great memories of Jver. I don’t hold anything against his decision to go to TX to get a championship…many veteran players do the same thing. His time as Tiger is over. We have great young players…pitching and positional….let’s get our next WS Championship with them!