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DTrain was paid at least $$40 million during his pro-career, almost 2/3rds of that courtesy of Dave Dombrowski when he signed him to an extension even before he toed the mound for the Tigers after being part of the trade for Miggy Cabrera in December of '07.
So after 5 seasons as a Marlin, the '03 NL RoY, 2x All-Star and '05 NL Cy runner-up immediately got the yips, was ineffectively wild, and was next to worthless as a SP. Yet after the Tigers finally got rid of him via trade in June of '10, he somehow managed to stick around in pro-baseball for another 4 years pitching in AAA and the majors for a half-dozen teams. Just goes to show how coveted LHed pitchers with a star history are in MLB.
But I will never understand why the Tigers never tried to convert him to a position player, as it wouldn't have been unprecedented, since SP Rick Ankiel was converted to an outfielder for the same reason. Plus in limited action as a Marlin, he showed that he could hit and with a bit of power. Plus he was a lefty batter. If he proved that he couldn't play defense or field any position, he still could have been used as a PH or PT DH, instead of collecting millions sitting in the BP or dugout. What a waste!!
DTrain's batting stats in '11 as a Cincy Red:
34 PAs 2 runs 12 hits 3 2B 1 3B 1 HR .387/.387/.645/1.032
So after 5 seasons as a Marlin, the '03 NL RoY, 2x All-Star and '05 NL Cy runner-up immediately got the yips, was ineffectively wild, and was next to worthless as a SP. Yet after the Tigers finally got rid of him via trade in June of '10, he somehow managed to stick around in pro-baseball for another 4 years pitching in AAA and the majors for a half-dozen teams. Just goes to show how coveted LHed pitchers with a star history are in MLB.
But I will never understand why the Tigers never tried to convert him to a position player, as it wouldn't have been unprecedented, since SP Rick Ankiel was converted to an outfielder for the same reason. Plus in limited action as a Marlin, he showed that he could hit and with a bit of power. Plus he was a lefty batter. If he proved that he couldn't play defense or field any position, he still could have been used as a PH or PT DH, instead of collecting millions sitting in the BP or dugout. What a waste!!
DTrain's batting stats in '11 as a Cincy Red:
34 PAs 2 runs 12 hits 3 2B 1 3B 1 HR .387/.387/.645/1.032
