Tigers sign Brad Penny

The Detroit Tigers have signed pitcher Brad Penny to a one year deal worth 3 million dollars. He was 3-4 last year with a 3.23 ERA with the Cardinals.  He then missed time with a shoulder injury, and will turn 33 in May. Thats pretty intriguing for a possible 5th starter. He doesn't have a high k/9 rate at 6.3, but he has the potential to be a top 3 pitcher in a good rotation when healthy. Assuming he beats out Galarraga for the 5th spot, the Detroit rotation will look something like this....

1. Justin Verlander, RHP-18-9, 3.37 ERA, 8.8 k/9
2. Max Scherzer, RHP-12-11, 3.5 ERA, 8.5 k/9
3. Rick Porcello, RHP-10-12, 4.92 ERA, 4.6 k/9
4. Phil Coke, LHP-7-5, 3.76 ERA, 7.4 k/9
5. Brad Penny, RHP-3-4, 3.23 ERA, 6.3 k/9
6. Armando Galarraga, 4-9, 4.49 ERA, 4.6 k/9

When you take into account how good Scherzer was after his trip to Toledo, Porcello's age, and Armando's flirt with perfection, this could be a great rotation. Or Scherzer could revert back to his beginning of 2009, Porcello could not take the expected leap forward, Coke can crack under the pressure of starting, and Penny could deal with injury issues or continue his struggles in the AL.

So basically, who knows? With this much uncertainty at the end of a rotation, its best to have as many wild card options as you can gather. Every year there are surprises both good and bad, so backup options are nice to have.

Penny is also engaged to Dancing With the Stars star, Karina Smirnoff. Any semi-legit reason to post half nekkid ladies is fine with me...

She also dated Mario Lopez, so an Albert Clifford Slater-Brad Penny confrontation is an intriguing option.