Baseball Bar-B-Cast: Framber Valdez's behavior was 'embarrassing and it's selfish and it's stupid'

“We play a really good brand of baseball here,” Hinch said, via the Detroit News. “That didn't feel like it. I'm not judging intent, but I know when you go out on the field in those confrontations, you usually feel like you are in your right. It didn't feel good being out there.”

This rare admission from Hinch, stopping just short of naming Valdez’s intent outright, underscores how out-of-line the moment was.

It should be noted that Tigers broadcaster Andy Dirks, hilariously, didn’t see what the fuss was about:

Why Valdez’s plunking decision hurts more than Trevor Story’s shoulder

The Tigers, once seen as the AL Central front-runner, suddenly find themselves on shaky ground. Valdez’s suspension exacerbates a pitching rotation already decimated with injuries.

Tarik Skubal, Detroit’s ace, is sidelined after elbow surgery with an uncertain return. Other starters — Casey Mize, Reese Olson, Troy Melton, Justin Verlander and Jackson Jobe — are also dealing with injuries.

With so many arms down, Valdez was supposed to be the stabilizer. Now, with a six-game suspension, Detroit faces another hole.

“For a Tigers team right now that cannot afford to lose anybody ... he’s going to get suspended long enough to miss at least one start,” Shusterman said. “And that’s just the last thing the Tigers need right now.”

The pitching staff has become a liability in the AL Central race. And one of the reasons isn’t due to injury.

Mintz pulled no punches in criticizing Valdez.

“It’s embarrassing and it’s selfish and it’s stupid and it doesn’t accomplish anything … There is nothing to come of this. For Farmer Valdez, there is only negatives. That is why it is such an irrational decision. If I’m on the Tigers, I’m so frickin’ steamed about it.”

Hinch, who vouched for Valdez in the offseason, will serve a one-game suspension.

In a season already teetering because of injuries, Valdez’s poor decision to throw at a batter could haunt the Tigers well beyond a single game. As the dust settles, Detroit must now manage not only a battered pitching staff but also the fallout from a moment of anger that may have lasting consequences.

As Shusterman succinctly put it:

“It’s just so disappointing … It’s a really crappy feeling for him. And really disappointing moment for the Tigers. Made an ugly week.”