On December 12, the Tigers released utility infielder Will Rhymes to free agency.[7]
On March 12, the Tigers released relief pitcher David Pauley. On March 15, Pauley cleared waivers and became a free agent.[8]
On April 26, the Tigers released veteran infielder Brandon Inge after 12 seasons.[9]
Key injuries
On December 16, the team announced that relief pitcher Al Alburquerque had surgery on his pitching elbow, to replace a stress fracture.[10]
On January 17, it was reported that designated hitter/catcher/infielder Víctor Martínez tore his ACL and needs surgery to repair it.[11] On March 12, the team placed Martinez on the 60-day disabled list and declared him out for the season.[12]
Signings and key returns
The Tigers signed free agent first baseman Prince Fielder on January 24.
On October 28, the Tigers picked up the option on closer José Valverde.[13]
On November 18, the Tigers signed catcher Gerald Laird to a one-year contract. Laird had been the Tigers' primary catcher for the 2009 and 2010 seasons.[14]
Also on November 18, the club purchased the minor league contracts of pitching prospects Casey Crosby, Tyler Stohr and Matt Hoffman; outfielder Avisaíl García and infielder Hernan Perez.[15]
On November 30, the Tigers re-signed second baseman Ramón Santiago to a two-year deal.[16]
On December 9, the Tigers announced a one-year deal with relief pitcher Octavio Dotel. There is an option for the 2013 season.[17]
On January 16, the Tigers avoided arbitration with starting pitcher Rick Porcello and reliever Phil Coke, signing both to one-year deals.[18] The following day, the team agreed on one-year deals for starting pitcher Max Scherzer, outfielder Delmon Young and utilityman Don Kelly. This helps the team avoid an arbitration hearing for the 10th year in a row.[19]
On January 24, the Tigers signed first baseman Prince Fielder to a nine-year, $214 million deal.[20] As a result, Miguel Cabrera moved to third base.[21]
On August 6, the Tigers acquired utilityman Jeff Baker from the Chicago Cubs for two minor league players to be named later.[25] He was traded to the Atlanta Braves on August 31 for a player to be named later.[26]
Delmon Young's arrest
On April 27, 2012, an intoxicated Delmon Young was arrested for third-degree assault and an "aggravated harassment hate crime" in New York City after a confrontation with a group of Jewish tourists in which he made antisemitic remarks outside of their hotel before a series against the Yankees. Later in the day, Young issued a statement apologizing for his actions. On April 30, Young was suspended without pay for seven games, and ordered to undergo therapy.[27]
Individual accomplishments
On September 27, starting pitcher Doug Fister struck out 9 batters in a row, a new American League record. It was just one short of the Major League record of 10 in a row, accomplished by Tom Seaver in 1970.[28]
Starters Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer finished first and second among the American League strikeout leaders, with 239 and 231, respectively.[33] Verlander finished second in a very close AL Cy Young Award race for 2012, collecting 149 points (12 first-place votes) to 153 points (13 first-place votes) for Tampa Bay Rays starter David Price.[34]
On October 13, during Game 1 of the ALCS, Delmon Young hit his sixth career post-season home run, setting a new franchise record.[35] Young later won the ALCS MVP Award.[36]
The Tigers sent three players to the All-Star Game: pitcher Justin Verlander (fifth appearance), third baseman Miguel Cabrera (seventh appearance, third with the Tigers), and first baseman Prince Fielder (fourth appearance, first with the Tigers). Fielder was voted in as a starter,[38] and won the Home Run Derby with 28 home runs, the second time in his career and his first with the Tigers.[39] Fielder also won a Silver Slugger Award.[32]
Standings
2012 American League Central
2012 American League Playoff Teams
Game log
Regular season
Postseason
American League Division Series
American League Championship Series
World Series
Record vs. opponents
This box:
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Source: MLB Standings Grid – 2012
Roster
(*) = Was on team for part of 2012 season.
Player stats
Batting
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; AVG = Batting average; SB = Stolen bases
Pitching
Starters
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts
Bullpen
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts
Farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Lakeland
References
^Tigers are the ones to reclaim AL Central title MLB.com, October 1, 2012
^Verlander sends Tigers to second straight ALCS MLB.com, October 12, 2012
^Party to the Max: Tigers sweep way to Series MLB.com, October 18, 2012
^Fall cleaning: Giants sweep Series in Detroit MLB.com, October 28, 2012
^Was Tuesday Joel Zumaya's swan song? Despite surgery, he wants to stay Tiger by Vince Ellis, Detroit Free Press, October 12, 2011
^Magglio, Guillen Not Expected Back in Detroit MLB.com November 1, 2011
^Tigers Do Not Tender Will Rhymes a Contract For the 2012 Season MLB.com December 12, 2011
^Tigers part ways with struggling righty Pauley Archived May 19, 2014, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com March 12, 2012
^Detroit Tigers sever ties with Brandon Inge, but 'heart will always be in Detroit' MLive.com, April 26, 2012
^Tigers Al Alburquerque Undergoes Elbow Surgery to Fix Stress Fracture Archived November 11, 2013, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com December 16, 2011
^V-Mart could miss season because of ACL tear MLB.com January 17, 2012
^Tigers injury report MLB.com
^Tigers exercise 2012 team option on Valverde[permanent dead link] MLB.com October 28, 2011
^Tigers, Catcher Gerald Laird Reunite With One-Year Contract MLB.com November 18, 2011
^Tigers Add Five Prospects to 40-Man Roster Archived November 23, 2011, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com November 18, 2011
^Tigers re-sign Santiago to a two-year contract Archived February 1, 2014, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com November 30, 2011
^Tigers Sign Veteran Reliever Dotel For One Year MLB.com December 9, 2011
^Tigers Agree to Terms With Porcello, Coke MLB.com January 16, 2012
^Tigers Sign Remaining Arbitration-Eligible Trio MLB.com January 17, 2012
^Prince, Tigers reportedly reach nine-year deal MLB.com January 24, 2012
^Cabrera, Prince will anchor the corners for Tigers FoxSportsDetroit.com January 26, 2012
^Tigers Re-Acquire Zach Miner From Royals MLB.com April 20, 2012
^Tigers Swing Deal For Right-Hander Balester MLB.com December 9, 2011
^Rosecrans, C. Trent. CBS Sports, July 23, 2012. "Tigers land Aníbal Sánchez, Omar Infante from Marlins."
^Tigers acquire utilityman Baker from Cubs MLB.com, August 6, 2012
^Braves acquire Jeff Baker from Tigers CBSSports.com Retrieved on August 31, 2012
^Delmon suspended seven days by MLB Archived May 1, 2012, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, April 30, 2012
^Fister sets AL strikeout mark against Royals MLB.com, September 27, 2012
^Miggy secures first Triple Crown since 1967 MLB.com, October 3, 3012
^Miggy beats Trout to add AL MVP to collection MLB.com, November 15, 2012
^Fall Classic foes Miggy, Posey win Aaron Award MLB.com, October 27, 2012
^ a bMiggy, Prince are Silver Slugger winners MLB.com, November 8, 2012
^AL Strikeout Leaders CBS Sports
^David Price wins 2012 American League Cy Young Award cbssports.com on November 14, 2012
^Delmon Young delivers Game 1 victory to Detroit Tigers after José Valverde blows four-run lead MLive.com, October 14, 2012
^Clutch hitting earns Young ALCS MVP honors MLB.com, October 18, 2012
^Wilson names Jackson Tigers' top defensive player MLB.com, November 5, 2012
^Prince, Miggy, Verlander named AL All-Stars MLB.com, July 1, 2012
^Twice crowned: Tigers' first Derby winner a Prince MLB.com, July 9, 2012
