Detroit Tigers: Five Pitching Staff Upgrades for 2016

The lineup of the Detroit Tigers has struggled to produce runs at times this season but the pitching staff carries the most blame for the team’s in 2015.

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As they head into what will be a busy offseason the bats will be the least of their problems as they build their 2016 roster. The core for a strong lineup is already in place. J.D. Martinez worked through his early season troubles and proved he’s ready to team with Miguel Cabrera to power the heart of the lineup. Since the beginning of August Nick Castellanos has slashed .272/.326/.496 with five home runs to lock down the third base position. Ian Kinsler is on fire at the plate plus he and Julio Iglesias give the team solid defense up the middle. Anthony Gose is under team control until 2020 and isn’t even eligible for arbitration until 2017.

If the Tigers want to jump back into contention for the AL Central Division title after one down season then the pitching staff needs to receive major attention from new general manager Al Avila. What follows are staff holes holes he’ll need to address and some available options that would help the Tigers climb back into contention in 2016.

Promoting from Within

Justin Verlander has been demonstrating over the past month that he’s overcoming the mid-career crisis that had been plaguing him. His control has been sharp and when he has command of his 90-mph changeup to team with his curve and 94 to 95-mph fastball he’s been practically unhittable. He’s also shown the ability he possessed at his best of being able to hike his fastball into the 95+ range in late innings when he needs it.

Verlander is still under contract for $28 million per season for the next four years so if he can produce like an ace again, and for that money he better, that’ll be a big weight off of Avila’s shoulders.

Anibal Sanchez has struggled but still has good stuff when he’s on and is capable of being the third starter in next year’s rotation. He’ll be under team control for another two seasons.

The candidate who appears to be most ready to step into a regular role in the rotation in 2016 is left-hander Daniel Norris. He still has command issues but his pitch arsenal is major league ready. After another spring working with Tigers’ pitching instructors he should be ready to hold down the No. 4 spot.

Sep 7, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher

(56) pitches during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Free Agency

Even with the recent resurgence of Justin Verlander the Tigers have struggled to string more than two wins together and slow their slide to the bottom of the American League. Alfredo Simon has been a disappointment and will be 35 next season so investing big dollars to re-sign him is out of the question. Shane Greene crashed and annihilated after his first three starts and can’t be counted on going forward.

To get the No. 2 pitcher they will need to contend the Tigers have to look to free agency. Who Avila looks to sign depends on how he wants to build.

If he’s looking for a quick fix while arms develop in the minor league system the best option would be Mark Buerhle. He’s making $20 million dollars in the final year of his deal with the Blue Jays but will be 37 next season and his asking price should go down accordingly.

Buerhle is a left-hander who may be one of the smartest pitchers in baseball today. He has pinpoint command of his pitches and doesn’t waste time on the mound. He’s one of the quickest workers in the Major Leagues. Buerhle has won 14 games this season for Toronto and there’s no reason to believe he can’t pitch at least two more seasons at a high level.

If the Tigers want a more long-term answer their options may be limited. It’s a foregone conclusion that David Price doesn’t want to come back. Johnny Cueto is uber-talented but is already causing problems for himself in Kansas City. Doug Fister has struggled with the Nationals this season and Jeff Samardzija can be great but not often enough for the money he’ll be looking for.

The only name on the free agent list who stands out as a solid starter who may be flying a bit under the radar right now is Jordan Zimmerman of the Nationals. He’ll still be on the right side of 30, at least until June of 2016, was a National League All-Star in 2013 and 2014 and so far has been relatively healthy during his career.

Fifth Starter

With so much still owed Verlander on his contract and the need to bring in a major league caliber starter to team with him there’s no money available to throw at a questionable free agent to anchor the back of the rotation. The Tigers also have young arms available who can compete next spring to fill that role.

Kyle Lobstein filled the role capably early in the season but has struggled in his two starts since coming back off the disabled list. Matt Boyd has been hit hard so far since he came to the Tigers and Buck Farmer hasn’t been much better after a promising spring.

It may not be much but those three are the only prospects the Tigers have that are ready within their system to fill out the rotation. Shane Greene could still be a possibility, he’s not arbitration eligible until 2018, but someone in the Tigers’ organization has to find and fix whatever problem he has that every other team in the American League already knows about.

Avila could sign a mid-level free agent to help fill out the rotation while Norris moves to No. 5 but that may not work out better than what he already has available. This spot should be the most interesting roster battle in spring training next season.

Bullpen

Earlier in the week Motor City Bengals writer Tom Zahari gave a list of pitchers the Tigers already have on the roster who are showing they have what it takes to be strong contributors in 2016 (Detroit Tigers: Pieces There to Build a Bullpen). Alex Wilson has been the most reliable pitcher out of the pen but will have to demonstrate he’s ready to be the eighth inning option.

Tyler Clippard has closed and could compete for that role with the Tigers next season but he’s been a dynamite eighth inning pitcher since the New York Mets acquired him from Oakland. He’ll be 31 next season and has good years still ahead of him.

Another solid free agent option to join Blaine Hardy and Drew VerHagen is submarine-style pitcher Darren O’Day from the Orioles. O’Day is an under-the-radar guy who has pitched very well for Baltimore the past four seasons.