Detroit Tigers Five Free Agent Pitchers Team Should Sign

Derek Holland

2016 Team: Texas Rangers
2016 Stats: 0.9 WAR, 4.75 FIP, 5.10 SIERA, 7.8 swinging strike percentage, 5.62 K/9, .295 BABIP

Derek Holland didn’t have the best 2016 season.

After being limited to 16 starts (15 appearances) in 2014 and 2015, the 30-year-old returned to toss 107.1 frames last year.

Across the board, Holland’s numbers have declined in the past two seasons. However, he could still be a solid Major League starter with the potential to make an impact.

Previous Numbers of Note

From the start of the 2011 season to 2014, Holland threw 623.1 innings. Over those 623.1 innings, the left-hander posted a 3.83 ERA, a 3.89 FIP and a 9.8 WAR.

At the height of his powers, the starter turned in WAR numbers somewhere in the 3.0 to 4.0 neighborhood. He may not reach those same stats again, but there’s potential as a back-of-the-rotation arm.

Potential Role in Detroit

The Detroit Tigers are in need of a swingman and Holland could be a potential fit. As of now, the team’s options are Anibal Sanchez, Mike Pelfrey, Buck Farmer, Myles Jaye and Chad Bell.

Of the group, Sanchez and Pelfrey were simply too ineffective last season, while Jaye and Bell will be rookies next season.

Adding a veteran starter like Holland (14 career playoff appearances) would certainly give the team more options to work, and potentially succeed, with.