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Detroit Tigers: Josh Collmenter a Perfect Fit

By Ben Rosener |
May 31, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Josh Collmenter against the Houston Astros at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
May 31, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Josh Collmenter against the Houston Astros at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Tigers pitchers have been solid this season, but the team could still use a few arms to gear up for the stretch run. Detroit should look at Josh Collmenter as an addition.

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila doesn’t have too much to work with at the upcoming trade deadline. What trade assets the Tigers have will be needed for the trade deadline. That means that players like Daniel Norris, Michael Fulmer and Matt Boyd aren’t going anywhere.

What’s more, it also means prospects like JaCoby Jones and Joe Jimenez are staying in the Detroit organization.

In a perfect world, Avila would be able to acquire an extra reliever and perhaps a starting pitcher or two without mortgaging the future. However, the world isn’t perfect and Avila and the rest of the general managers in the league are left to deal with a trade market that is very pro-seller at the moment.

With that in mind, the waiver wire becomes even more important.

Surprisingly, quality players are designated for assignment somewhat often, and the talent is out there for Avila and company to come away with a steal.

One such steal could be Michigan native Josh Collmenter. The longtime Arizona Diamondback was recently designated for assignment by the club, per Arizona’s official Twitter page.  

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The decision to designate the six-year veteran for assignment comes after Collmenter pitched to a 4.84 ERA in 22.1 innings pitched this campaign. This season has been the only time the right-hander has really struggled in his career.

From 2011 to 2015, the 30-year-old posted a 3.49 ERA and a 3.95 FIP while serving in a number of different roles for Arizona. From Opening Day starter, to effective reliever, Collmenter was an extremely versatile pitcher during his time in the desert.

Over the course of his career, the now-former Diamondback has made 75 starts and finished 51 games. He logged a pair of complete-game shutouts and a pair of saves.

While he’s been a reliever and a starter, Collmenter often functioned as a swingman. Between the 2014 and 2015 seasons, the pitcher mad3 77 appearances. Those 77 appearances included 40 starts and 21 games finished.

The Central Michigan product could fill, and thrive in, a similar role for the Tigers.

Detroit has obvious needs in the pitching department, and Collmenter is the perfect fit. In a relief role, he could come in and provide multiple innings should a starter exit early.

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Mike Pelfrey and Anibal Sanchez have struggled at times to reach the sixth or seventh inning, so Collmenter would be saving the likes of Alex Wilson and Kyle Ryan from pitching extended innings in those types of scenarios.

The former 15th-round pick also pitched to a 3.13 ERA in 92 innings as a pure reliever in 2013. He could slot in as a potential seventh-inning option for Brad Ausmus alongside the likes of Bruce Rondon, Justin Wilson and Shane Greene.

The Tigers will need to monitor the inning counts of Fulmer, Boyd and Norris as the season progresses. Having Collmenter on hand to make a spot start or two would ensure that the Detroit rotation doesn’t miss a beat. It would also mean that the Tigers would rely less on the struggling trio of Anibal Sanchez, Mike Pelfrey and Mark Lowe.

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The Tigers are playing some excellent baseball at the moment, and have vaulted themselves back into the thick of the playoff race. The team can’t continue to rely on struggling pitchers if they can’t get the job done. Acquiring Collmenter would solve a number of issues for the Detroit Tigers.

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