Detroit Tigers: Two Potentially Useful Relievers Are Available

Detroit Tigers fans have been witness to an up-and-down bullpen this season. The group could use some depth. Luckily for the Tigers, two potentially solid relievers were just made available.

Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus—as well as the front office—seem to have settled on a bullpen group moving forward. Francisco Rodriguez is the obvious closer with Justin Wilson serving as the set-up man. Bruce Rondon, Shane Greene and Kyle Ryan can all pitch the seventh, while Alex Wilson is also on hand to provide quality innings.

While that group has performed well as of late, the Tigers could still use depth. Mark Lowe has yet to significantly turn things around, while depth options like Blaine Hardy (5.18 FIP) and Bobby Parnell (4.79 FIP) have struggled when called upon.

Additionally, both Drew VerHagen and Warwick Saupold are currently on the disabled list, further diminishing the team’s options should a new reliever be needed.

In other words, depth is needed.

In related news, a pair of relievers who could potentially provide that depth just hit the open market.

Alexi Ogando was designated for assignment by the Braves, while Ryan Webb was designated for assignment by the Tampa Bay Rays.

While neither’s numbers are eye-popping this season, both would be solid fallback options for Detroit. If acquired, neither would step in and pitch meaningful innings right away. However, Ogando and Webb could be upgrades and alternatives to Hardy, Parnell, VerHagen and Saupold.