Free agent season is officially underway, and the top 3 names that have been talked about with regard to Detroit are Corey Koskie, Carl Pavano, and Derek Lowe.

Corey Koskie
The Tigers are rumored to have been in touch with Koskie who made $4.5 million last year. Koskie is a solid player who was hampered by injuries last year. Defensively he would be an upgrade over the Munson/Inge platoon of last year. Offensively, he would probably be a slight upgrade. He has a better eye and more power than Inge. Plus he has a track record of being a decent hitter as opposed to Inge to has one good season. Koskie’s runs created/27 was 5.56 last year as opposed to Inge’s 5.78. While Koskie is a solid player with a decent track record, I don’t think the upgrade would be worth the cost considering Koskie would cost about $4 million more than Inge.

Carl Pavano
I’m not sure how interested Pavano is in coming to Detroit, but at least his agent is interested in creating that perception. Pavano had his first big season last year at the age of 28. He had a 3.00 ERA and a 137 ERA+. He had 5.62 K/9 last year, which is right in line with his career numbers (5.64). His biggest boost came from a drop in HR’s allowed (.65/9 IP sea., .91/9 IP car.) and walks allowed (1.98 /9 IP sea., 2.60/ 9IP car.). Pavano would definitely upgrade the staff and be a legitimate top of the rotation guy. Assuming the Tigers could land him, is it worth the cost?

Pat Caputo’s column today argues against chasing free agent pitching and he makes some compelling arguments. First is that Bonderman may be ready to become the staff ace. If he can build upon how he finished last season that would be hard to argue. Second, the Tigers farm system consists of an outfielder, a shortstop, and a handful of high ceiling pitchers. The Tigers have no organizational depth of position players so free agent dollars should be spent on bats.

If someone were to get bumped from the rotation, if it were up to me it would be Jason Johnson. He had some nice apperances, and a strong June but by an large was a disappointment. I bring this up because then not only are you spending about $9-10 million to add Pavano to the rotation, you’re still paying Johnson $3.5 million to not be in the rotation.

I guess my thoughts on Pavano are that I’ll be happy if the Tigers get him, I just don’t want them to be hamstrung in the future by the cost of his contract.

Derek Lowe
Derek Lowe was a fine reliever, and had a great year his first season as a starter in 2002. However, the last two years have seen him slip. His WHIP has climbed from .974 in 2002 to 1.417 in 2003, to 1.614 last year. In 2002 his HR/9 IP was .49, last year it was .74 (a 50% increase). I know Lowe is from Dearborn. I know he pitched great in the postseason. However, I don’t see him helping the Tigers.

In conclusion, I like Koskie, but not at the price it will take to get him. I like Pavano, but I’m a little leery of the future repercussions of a large and long contract especially since pitching is an area of relative strength for the Tigers. As for Lowe, I don’t like him at any price.