Detroit Tigers: Four Intriguing Trade Targets to Improve Pitching Depth

Detroit Tigers fans witnessed a pitching staff that struggled at times during the 2016 season. While there were bright spots, a number of key veterans pitched poorly. Detroit needs better depth.

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila enters his second offseason in charge of the club looking to improve the team to the point where they can finally return to the playoffs next season.

One area of the roster that Avila could strengthen is the pitching staff.

As it stands, the Tigers have an excellent (should they pitch to their potential and ability) rotation. The group of five will be comprised of Justin Verlander, Daniel Norris, Michael Fulmer, Boyd and Jordan Zimmermann.

Additionally Avila and manager Brad Ausmus have a number of solid bullpen pieces in Francisco Rodriguez, Bruce Rondon, Alex Wilson, Justin Wilson, Shane Greene and Kyle Ryan. However, if the 2016 taught us anything, it is that depth is needed.

Including utility ace Andrew Romine, the Tigers used 23 different pitchers last season. Detroit rotated through a number of different relievers and starters, searching for the right mix.

Eventually, something resembling that right mix took shape, but it simply took too long for the Tigers to piece everything together.

Avila will need to add pitching depth in the offseason, son Detroit won’t have to mix and match in search of answers next season.

Here are a few intriguing candidates to improve said pitching depth for the Detroit Tigers.

Chris Heston, San Francisco Giants

Just two seasons ago, Chris Heston burst onto the scene for the San Francisco Giants, posting a 12-11 record in 31 starts.

Those 31 starts spanned 177.2 innings and included just 64 walks compared to 141 strikeouts. Heston posted a solid 1.31 WHIP, and turned in some encouraging run-prevention numbers for a rookie.

The pitcher posted a 3.95 ERA, a 3.98 xFIP, a 4.02 FIP and a 4.07 SIERA in his freshman campaign.

While he was limited to just four relief appearances this past season, Heston’s 2015 campaign showed that he could easily be a mid-rotation starter in the big leagues for years to come.

If the Tigers act now, those years could be in Detroit.

The team is set with a starting rotation, but Fulmer, Norris and Boyd will need to have their innings watched for the near future. Heston could be an ideal fill in should the team need to sit one of their three young starters.

As it stands, San Francisco’s rotation of Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto, Matt Moore, Jeff Samardzija and Ty Blach are all under team control for the next few seasons. This is all without mentioning Matt Cain and Albert Suarez, who could both start. The team also has prospects Chris Stratton and Joan Gregorio at Triple-A providing depth.

In other words, the Giants may not have a need for Heston.

That would make it all the more easier for the Detroit Tigers to acquire a pitcher who is controllable for the next five seasons. Heston could also give Detroit quality innings out of the bullpen when not starting, as a swingman of sorts.

Josh Fields, Los Angeles Dodgers

A former first-round pick of the Mariners, reliever Josh Fields has enjoyed a solid rebound season in Los Angeles after arriving from Houston.

The 31-year-old excelled as a member of the Astros’ from 2014 to 2015, racking up a 2.14 FIP and 137 strikeouts in 105.1 innings pitched. After struggling to begin the season in 2016 with Houston, Fields is throwing quality innings once again for the Dodgers.

In 19.1 innings, the reliever has struck out 22 batters while posting a 2.79 ERA and a 3.61 FIP.

While the Dodgers  could hang on to him, the team has plenty of other quality relievers under team control, with the likes of Pedro Baez, Grant Dayton, Yimi Garcia, Josh Ravin, Luis Avilan all controllable for the foreseeable future.

In Detroit, Fields would give Ausmus yet another option to bridge the gap to closer Francisco Rodriguez. So far in his career, the reliever owns a 3.06 ERA in the seventh inning.

Fields’ controllable contract certainly doesn’t hurt a Tigers team that will need to get creative in adding talent without taking on too much salary. The veteran reliever has the chance to stick in Detroit’s bullpen for the long haul if he can continue to throw well.

Archie Bradley, Arizona Diamondbacks

So far in his Major League career, things haven’t exactly gone as planned for former top prospect Archie Bradley.

In 26 starts for the Diamondbacks, the 24-year-old pitched to a 5.02 ERA in 141.2 innings. Over the same span, he registered seven wild pitches, four hit batters and two balks.

As it stands, Arizona has Zack Greinke, Shelby Miller, Patrick Corbin, Rubby De La Rosa and former Detroit Tigers pitcher Robbie Ray under contract for multiple seasons. Braden Shipley is another future starting option for the team, as is Zack Godley.

Despite the struggles, there is still considerable upside with Bradley. It remains to be seen whether Arizona would part with him, but his 143 strikeouts in 141.2 inning certainly suggest he can be effective in the Majors. What’s more, the pitcher’s run prevention numbers suggest he was better than his unsightly ERA would indicate.

During the 2016 campaign, Bradley posted a 4.10 FIP, a 4.10 xFIP and a 4.35 SIERA. The starter’s .338 BABIP also contributed to his ERA.

With a new general manager set to take over at some point in Arizona, it is possible that the incoming general manager will want to shape the team to their liking.

It may seem strange to deal a young pitcher with upside, but it has happened before with new general managers. Just last winter, Jerry Dipoto sent Carson Smith and Roenis Elias to Boston for Wade Miley and Jonathan Aro.