Detroit Tigers: Five Starting Pitching Trades

Detroit Tigers starting pitchers have struggled this season. While it’s still early, some changes could be needed. Here are five potential trades for starting pitchers to help the Detroit Tigers.

Detroit Tigers fans probably aren’t thrilled with the team’s starting pitching so far in 2016. Jordan Zimmermann has been excellent, while Justin Verlander and Michael Fulmer have both shown flashes.

That’s been about it.

The rest of the options in the rotation have hardly been stellar. Anibal Sanchez has an ERA that is more than halfway to 10 at 5.87. Shane Greene looked good against Pittsburgh, but has struggled otherwise. Additionally, Mike Pelfrey has looked downright dreadful at times. His ERA entering Saturday was 5.68, and would be much higher had it not been for some miraculous double plays.

Detroit needs some new starters. Luckily, Matt Boyd and Daniel Norris are options. However, even if both are called up and succeed, the Tigers need depth. Both Boyd and Norris—and Fulmer for that matter—are young and can’t pitch the same number of innings as Zimmermann or Verlander.

Here are five trade scenarios that would help Detroit’s starting pitching situation. None of these scenarios are going to be similar to a Dave Dombrowski trade. In other words, the top prospects aren’t going to be sacrificed for an expensive player. These solutions are more budget and farm-system friendly. Additionally, the hypothetical trades wouldn’t jeopardize Fulmer, Norris or Boyd’s place on the team long term.

Yes, it is early, but the Tigers starters haven’t been anything to write home about. Here are some pitchers from losing teams that could make sense in a Detroit uniform.