Detroit Tigers 2016 Review: Mark Lowe

Detroit Tigers reliever Mark Lowe struggled in his first season in the Motor City. Initially a late-inning option for Brad Ausmus, Lowe was eventually demoted to working in blowouts.

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila did a solid job in rebuilding the team’s bullpen.

Working mainly in the trade market, Avila acquired Justin Wilson and Francisco Rodriguez in deals that didn’t mortgage the future for the Tigers.

Part of the general manager’s strategy to rebuild the unit included signing reliever Mark Lowe.

The 33-year-old was coming off an excellent 2015 campaign split between Seattle and Toronto.

Starting the year in the Pacific Northwest, Lowe thrived pitching as one of then-manager Lloyd McClendon’s top setup relievers. The veteran posted a 1.00 ERA and a 1.88 FIP—not to mention 47 strikeouts—in just 36 innings pitched.

Following a mid-season trade to the Blue Jays, Lowe registered a 3.79 ERA and a 3.87 FIP in 19 innings pitched.

Avila and the Tigers inked the reliever in the offseason to a two-year deal. Per Spotrac, Lowe made $5.5 million last year and is slated to make the same amount during the 2018 season.

Here’s a recap of Lowe’s first season in a Tigers uniform. Additionally, will he return in 2017?