Detroit Tigers: Four Relief Pitcher Trades Tigers Should Make

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Jun 18, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Mark Lowe (21) wipes his face against the Kansas City Royals in the eighth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City won 16-5. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers relievers have struggled as of late. The team has made a number of transactions lately to provide fresh arms. Outside help is clearly needed as the team hasn’t been able to find the perfect group.

Detroit Tigers reliever Bruce Rondon excelled in his season debut on Sunday, mixing his blazing fastball with some filthy slider to keep the Royals off the board for two innings.

Rondon has been one of the few relievers called upon that hasn’t struggled. Drew VerHagen, Bobby Parnell, Blaine Hardy have all struggled, as has notable offseason Mark Lowe.

Right now, the only reliable commodities are Rondon, Shane Greene, Justin Wilson and closer Francisco Rodriguez.

The Tigers need help, and considering all the relievers they have used so far this season, the best options may be found outside the organization.

Given that the Detroit farm system—while vastly improved—isn’t the gold standard where prospect development is concerned, the Tigers probably shouldn’t break the bank to bring a new relief pitcher. While adding an effective sixth or seventh inning option may not be as flashy of an acquisition as a closer-type pitcher, it would be extremely useful to Detroit’s relief corps in terms of building a bridge to the likes of Wilson and Rodriguez.

Here are some options that would vastly improve the team’s depth.

May 11, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; San Diego Padres relief pitcher Fernando Rodney, left, reacts next to first baseman Wil Myers, right, after a 1-0 win against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

Fernando Rodney, San Diego Padres

Old friend Fernando Rodney has been exceptionally good when throwing a baseball this season. The 39-year-old, who signed with the Tigers as an amateur free agent in 1997 and later debuted for the team in 2002, hasn’t allowed a run this season.

Normally, pitchers who haven’t allowed a run by late June are probably going to cost a significant return, but Rodney is 39 and pitches on a rebuilding San Diego squad that entered the week with just 29 wins.

So far, the veteran has notched 14 saves and 27 strikeouts in 25.1 innings pitched. What’s more, Rodney has also contributed a 1.4 WAR.

If Detroit can work out a deal with Rodney and an outfielder—perhaps Jon Jay?—it would be a successful transaction.

As it stands, the Padres need pitching depth, so perhaps a deal involving a lower-level prospect going to San Diego for Rodney would get the deal done. The Tigers could also conceivably offer Tyler Collins or Anthony Gose in a potential trade. San Diego could be in the market for outfield help at the Major League level as it wouldn’t be a shock to see current starters Jay or Melvin Upton Jr. dealt.

Additionally, this may be the best opportunity for the Padres to get something of value in return for Rodney.

Jun 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Fernando Abad (58) pitches to the New York Yankees in the ninth inning at Target Field. The Yankees win 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

Fernando Abad, Minnesota Twins

We continue the list of relievers who would be good fits with the Tigers with another Fernando.

Signed in the offseason after two vastly different seasons in Oakland, Abad has thrived pitching out of the Twins bullpen.

Abad pitched to a 1.57 ERA in 2014, before posting a 4.15 number last season. This year, he’s lowered his ERA to a sparkling 2.28. Additionally, he’s struck out 23 batters compared to just eight walks (one of which was intentional) in 23.2 innings pitched.

While Abad’s FIP is nearly half a run higher than his ERA, it still sits at an outstanding 2.75.

Whereas the Padres are clearly in rebuilding mode, Minnesota is a different story. Yes, the Twins are dreadful right now with a 21-48 record and an abysmal -116 run differential. However, it was only last season that Miguel Sano and company just missed out on a wild card berth.

The Twins may want to keep Abad around for next season if the team gets better, but if Minnesota is open to making a deal, Detroit should pounce. The former Oakland A’s pitcher would give manager Brad Ausmus three quality options (along with Shane Greene and Bruce Rondon) to bridge the gap to setup man Justin Wilson and closer Francisco Rodriguez.

Sep 26, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki (8) and relief pitcher Kevin Jepsen (49) celebrate their win over the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

Kevin Jepsen, Minnesota Twins

While the Twins may choose to hang on to Abad, the team may be more willing to deal fellow reliever Kevin Jepsen based on this year’s numbers.

Functioning as a late-inning arm for the Twins, Jepsen has seven saves on the year, but has an unfortunate 5.46 ERA in 28 innings pitched. His FIP isn’t much better at 5.59. These stats could factor into Minnesota dealing him, and Detroit should take a look.

Despite the high ERA and FIP, the reliever has been victimized by a .356 BABIP, so perhaps a change of scenery will do the trick for him.

Jepsen does have a solid track record. He’s owns a 3.76 career ERA, and posted a 2.47 number in 134.2 innings pitched from 2014 to 2015. During that same span, he also struck out 134 batters.

The Tigers could use Mike Aviles as a makeweight in terms of offsetting some of the salary. General manager Al Avila could also potentially send a minor prospect to the Twins in the same way he sent a mid-level prospect to Atlanta and Milwaukee in respective deals for Cameron Maybin and Francisco Rodriguez.

With Detroit, Jepsen would fill a similar roll to the one that Abad would potentially fill—another seventh inning option to bridge the gap to K-Rod.

Mar 21, 2016; Lakeland, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher David Hernandez (30) throws a warm up pitch during the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

David Hernandez, Philadelphia Phillies

Signed to a one-year deal in the offseason, David Hernandez has enjoyed a successful start to his first season in Philadelphia. The right-hander is the owner of a 3.58 ERA and 42 strikeouts in just 32.2 innings pitched.

Similar to many on this list, Hernandez would provide Ausmus with another option to set up Francisco Rodriguez.

The current Philadelphia reliever could be best suited for a role in the seventh inning. So far this season, Hernandez has put up an exceptional 1.98 ERA when pitching in the seventh inning of games.

In terms of a return, the Phillies’ most obvious needs are in the outfield and at shortstop. Trading Tyler Collins and a mid-level pitching prospect would make sense for all parties. Detroit could also include Mike Aviles in any deal to offset Hernandez’ salary.

In fact, a deal involving Collins and Aviles for Hernandez wouldn’t be the end of the world for the Phillies considering their season isn’t going anywhere and Hernandez could leave in free agency. What’s more, they would potentially pick up a younger, controllable outfield option in Collins.

Next: What to Expect from M's Series

If Anthony Gose wasn’t hitting .209 in Toledo, he would have been another name to potentially float in trade talks.

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