Tigers Non-Tender Daniel Schlereth

According to MLB Trade Rumors the Tigers have announced that they are not going to tender relief pitcher Daniel Schlereth a contract for the 2013 season, effectively meaning that they are ready to move on from the left-hander that was acquired in the big post 2009 Curtis Granderson deal. That deal has netted the Tigers Max Scherzer, Phil Coke and Austin Jackson, so Schlereth not working out isn’t really a major problem.

Apr 14, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Daniel Schlereth (55) delivers a pitch during the seventh inning against the Chicago White Sox at US Cellular Field. The White Sox won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-US PRESSWIRE

Schlereth, despite having solid ERA numbers with the Tigers in 2010 and 2011 (2.89, 3.49), never really seemed to settle into a real defined role with the Tigers. His inability to throw strikes consistently never allowed Jim Leyland to get comfortable with using Schlereth frequently in important situations. Despite reputations for being a hard thrower, with the Tigers, Schlereth mainly pitched in the low 90’s, and might have been an indicator of things to come with his shoulder issues in 2012. Schlereth pitched just six games in 2012, rehabbing in the minors and never making it back to the big club.

This obviously means that there is an opportunity for a lefty role in the Tigers pen in 2013. The Tigers could potentially go outside the organization for that person, but minor league free agent Darin Downs did well last year, as well as long man Duane Below, both whom likely made the Tigers comfortable with non-tendering Schlereth.

The Tigers could potentially have another lefty option in minor league reliever Matt Hoffman. Hoffman does have some command issues of his own, but recently spent a stint in the Arizona Fall League for his third trip down there.