DETROIT -- If I ask you who are the most valuable Tigers so far, I know what you will say -- and should.
"It's too early. There are no MVP's so far."
True enough, there aren't.
But that's not what I am asking. My question is this: With a record of 13-6 as they headed into Monday night's game at Target Field -- an outstanding start, in other words -- who have been the most important Tigers so far?
To ask about value has a full-season connotation. It's a baseball word reserved for later. To ask about importance, however, can be topic of discussion at any time.
So we're asking it after the first three weeks of the season. And don't be surprised if we ask it later, as well.
My list of the 10 most important Tigers is pitching-heavy -- although who would have projected a month ago that any such list at this point would include neither Justin Verlander nor Anibal Sanchez?
The fact it doesn't include them, though, helps to explain why it is, indeed, pitching-heavy: Because it means that others have stepped in and helped -- as they have.
The list also doesn't include Victor Martinez, last year's Tiger of the Year, because he's not been a steady contributor yet.
It can be said it's because of his troublesome left knee, but the reason doesn't really matter. Martinez is not on the list -- yet.
Speaking of the list, though, let's get to it. The most important Tigers within the context of the team's excellent start are:
1. Joakim Soria -- No question about it. With seven saves in seven chances and a 1-0 record with a 2.08 ERA in 10 appearances, Soria has calmed the stormy seas at closer and has provided a reliability that simply didn't exist a year ago.
After his first 10 appearances, Joe Nathan was 2-1 with four saves in five opportunities at this point last year -- not to mention a 5.59 ERA.
Meanwhile, the Tigers were 11-8 after 19 games in 2014.
2. Alfredo Simon -- Not just because he's 4-0 in his first starts, but because the Tigers have scored only seven runs in three of his victories -- which means that they won those games because of him, not because of their offense.
Strong starts are nothing new for Simon, though. He was 12-3 with a 2.70 ERA on July 9 for the Reds last year -- only to go 1-7 with a 5.27 in his next 10.
3. Shane Greene -- Yes, he stumbled badly in his last start, but he was 3-0 with a 0.39 ERA in his first three. This ranking is the based on those first three and the promise his performance portends for pitching depth.
4. Miguel Cabrera -- Hitting is hitting, whether it's done against Cleveland (15-for-23 this season) or all others (11-for-46). It's the overall impact that counts, and Cabrera has had the most impact of any Tigers' hitter so far.
5. Jose Iglesias -- A defensive magician at short who leads the team with a .379 batting average and has already stolen five bases.
The only reason he's not higher on this list is because he's knocked in only two runs.
Not a criticism, mind you, because he's not a middle-of-the-lineup guy -- and also because he's done everything else well -- but still a reality when calculating importance.
6. Yoenis Cespedes -- Better than good in all aspects of his game so far, including consistency. Has hit safely in 14 of 19 games and has been a distinct plus in left.
7. David Price -- Stats unfortunately skewed by his last start, but he pitched brilliantly in his first three. So even though he's just 1-1, the Tigers are 3-1 in his starts.
In fact, the Tigers are 10-2 in the 12 starts made by Simon, Greene and Price.
8. Ian Kinsler -- Always doing something helpful, it seems, whether it's offense or defense. He's among league leaders with 15 runs scored, for instance, which is his primary offensive role -- to get on base and score.
9. J.D. Martinez -- But not a lowly ninth. His five home runs are only four fewer than the team total of both the Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers.
Ranks this low only because of so-so numbers in his last 10 games, but he's off to productive start all the same.
10. Rajai Davis -- Doesn't start every game, but still an igniter on offense, as his six stolen bases and team-second-best .449 on-base percentage will attest.
