Detroit Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski announced early Thursday afternoon that Jose Valverde will be rejoining the organization after agreeing to a minor league deal.
Terms of the contract has Valverde reporting to the Tigers spring training facility to get into pitching shape and get some experience before moving up to the Triple-A Toledo Mudhens.
Not too long ago Valverde was considered one of the élite closers in Major League Baseball. Last year though it seemed as if everything that he had as far as mechanics and mental prowess went away as he struggled all season long, blowing five saves and completely imploding down the stretch to the point where the Tigers didn’t even trust him coming out of the bullpen during the playoffs and World Series.
With Bruce Rondon failing to capture the closers role out of spring training and with the bullpen struggling during the first two games of the season, this signing comes as no surprise. While there is no guarantee that he will ever make it back to Detroit, this move shows just how desperate the Tigers brass are in trying to solidifying the backend of their bullpen. In 2011 Valverde was a perfect 49 for 49 in save opportunities.
