Detroit Tigers: Eyebrow-Raising Transactions #20-11

Jun 8, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Phil Coke (40) runs onto the field in the seventh inning against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

14. Phil Coke. Lots of jokes. 

Phil Coke. Why did we need Phil Coke? In a trade that brought Max Scherzer and Austin Jackson to Detroit in exchange for Curtis Granderson to the New York Yankees, Tigers fans are still shaking their heads as to why Phil Coke was included. Of course getting Scherzer was a plus for the team and Jackson eventually turned into David Price. And, Granderson has done well for both the Yankees and the New York Mets. But, Phil Coke?

In his first year with the Tigers, Phil Coke actually performed well. In 2010, he had a 3.76 ERA and a WHIP of 1.438. But, each year, he progressively declined. In his last season with the Tigers (2014), he pitched in 58 innings (all of them without any fans ever exhaling) and earned a 3.88 ERA, with a WHIP of 1.534. In 2012 and 2013, his WHIP numbers were over 1.6. Fans were constantly perplexed as to why he continued to get the one-year contracts with the team. Finally, in 2015, the Chicago Cubs signed him, but they later sent him off to Toronto where he signed a minor league deal.

Next: #13 Use PEDs, Then Get a Raise