Detroit Tigers: Analyzing Team’s 40-Man Roster

Potentially Expendable Players

The only players on the 25-man roster in danger of losing a spot are Mike Pelfrey and Mike Aviles.

If Pelfrey continues to struggle, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the team go in another direction in the rotation. The former Met isn’t really suited for relief pitching given his low strikeout numbers —4.5 per nine innings this season—and his tendency to allow too many base runners. That combination isn’t going to play well out of the bullpen.

Additionally, the bullpen looks set and sending a reliever down in order to keep Pelfrey could be detrimental. Plus, Detroit already has two converted starters in the bullpen in Shane Greene and Anibal Sanchez.

Aviles could also be expendable if a new player is brought in, or when J.D. Martinez returns. In 38 games, the veteran is only hitting .222 with a .533 OPS. The former Royal is also less valuable than fellow utility player Andrew Romine in the sense that Romine can make more of an impact as a pinch runner and as a defensive replacement.

Next: Two Potentially Useful Relievers Just Became Available

Other potentially expendable players include a pair of outfielders who’ve struggled with both Detroit and Toledo in Tyler Collins and Anthony Gose. In addition to the two, current Toledo relievers Jeff Ferrell and Dustin Molleken could  be moved considering Detroit also has Blaine Hardy, Warwick Saupold and Bobby Parnell as depth options.