Detroit Tigers: Buying Low as a Trade Strategy

Hector Santiago, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Starting Pitcher

The Detroit Tigers are in need of some starting pitching depth to fill out the back end of the rotation. One player who fits the bill exactly is the Angels’ Hector Santiago.

Originally a White Sox starter, the 28-year-old was a dependable rotation from 2013 to 2015. Logging an average of 152 innings per season, and striking out eight batters per nine innings. What’s more, his ERA over the span was a respectable 3.62.

Things haven’t gone as well for Santiago in 2016. His strikeout numbers are similar, but his ERA has ballooned to 4.58. His FIP is even worse, sitting at 5.14.

Unless something drastic happens, the Angels will be confined to the American League West cellar for the foreseeable future. The team’s farm system is barren, and there are still some ugly contracts on the books. With the Halos all but out of the playoff race, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them trade off some pieces in an attempt to replenish the farm system.

One of the few assets the team has left to deal is Santiago. Controllable and relatively inexpensive, the former White Sox hurler would make an ideal addition to the Detroit rotation.

Considering how depleted the Anaheim farm system is, a deal sending Dominic Ficociello and Wynton Bernard to Anaheim for the pitcher would make sense.