Detroit Tigers Five Free Agent Pitchers Team Should Sign

C.J. Wilson

2016 Team: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
2016 Stats: Wilson missed 2016 due to injury

If healthy, C.J. Wilson is well worth the gamble. The former Rangers and Angels hurler logged a 3.60 ERA and a 3.74 FIP in 1149.2 innings for the two clubs from 2010 to 2015.

He didn’t pitch in 2016, but Wilson turned in some encouraging numbers during the previous season. In 132 innings, the 35-year-old logged a 4.02 FIP in 2015. What’s more, his 8.6 swinging strike percentage that was his highest output in the category since 2009.

Potential Role in Detroit

Wilson may not be the frontline starter that he was in his prime, but if he’s able to pitcher, he could find success as a back-end starter.

With Fulmer, Boyd and Norris still developing as Major League pitchers, the Tigers could use another starting option to occasionally fill in to keep the trio’s innings limit down.

It’s purely speculative, but return to the bullpen could also be an option for Wilson. The pitcher put up a 2.95 SIERA in 73.2 innings out of Texas’ bullpen back in 2009.

While he has started every game since, Wilson could still find success in relief.

Next: Fulmer Named Rookie of the Year Finalist

The veteran could also pitch multiple innings coming out of the bullpen, which could prove to be extremely valuable.