Detroit Tigers Reportedly Sign Jim Adduci, Travis Blackley and Jake Brigham to Minors Deals

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila has added significant depth via minor league free agents this offseason. According to the latest report, three others have joined the organization on minors deals.

Detroit Tigers fans have seen the team make only a few relatively significant moves this offseason.

Center fielder Cameron Maybin was shipped to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for pitching prospect Victor Alcantara. Additionally, veteran catcher Alex Avila returned to the organization on a one-year contract.

However, that’s been about it.

General manager Al Avila has stuck to bringing in the likes of Omar Infante, Logan Kensing, Collin Balester and Brendan Ryan on minor league pacts.

According to the latest from Baseball America’s Matt Eddy, the Detroit Tigers have added even more minor league depth.

In an article published on Baseball America, Eddy relayed the latest minor league signings. The article is quoted as saying, “Official minor league transactions, conveyed to Baseball America by major league Baseball for period Dec. 10-22.”

Among the signings reported by Eddy were outfielder Jim Adduci and pitchers Travis Blackley and Jake Brigham.

Here is a look at the trio, and how they could potentially fit in with the Detroit Tigers during the 2017 season.

Travis Blackley
Position: Starting Pitcher

While Adduci only appeared in parts of two Major League seasons, pitcher Travis Blackley has seen significant time pitching for clubs west of the Mississippi in the last five years.

The left-hander has seen time as both a starter and a reliever, pitching for teams like the Giants, A’s, Astros and Rangers.

Perhaps his best season came in 2012 with Oakland. During that campaign, Blackley pitched 102.2 innings while making 15 starts and finishing five games. All told, he turned in a 3.86 ERA and a 3.98 FIP.

Last season, the former Mariners farmhand put up a 3.92 ERA while pitching for Pericos de Puebla in the Mexican League.

While there, the veteran made 19 starts totaling 110.1 innings.

Potential Role with the Detroit Tigers

Along with the likes of Chad Bell and Myles Jaye, Blackley will likely give the Tigers some solid rotation depth in the minors.

However, like Bell and Jaye, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the 34-year-old pitch out of the bullpen for Detroit.

The Tigers could use a swingman in the team’s bullpen, and Blackley could fill that role. In his career in both the Majors and minors, the pitcher has appeared in 136 games as a relief pitcher.

Additionally, given his starting experience, the former Ranger could also make a spot start every now and then.

Jake Brigham
Position: Pitcher

Drafted by the Texas Rangers in the sixth round of the 2006 draft, Brigham began his professional career in Texas before heading to Chicago in July of 2012 as part of a deal for catcher Geovany Soto.

He would later rejoin the Rangers in the offseason in a separate trade.

After a stint in the Pirates organization, the 28-year-old caught on with Atlanta and would go on to make his Major League debut in 2015.

Over the span of 16.2 innings (12 appearances), the right-hander turned in a 8.64 ERA.

While his ERA was undoubtedly high, Brigham’s 4.00 FIP suggests he was much better in his first taste of Major League action.

Last year, the former Atlanta hurler made 11 appearances for the Tohuku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Japan Pacific League. During his stint with the team, the pitcher posted a 5.24 ERA in 34.1 innings pitched.

Those 34.1 innings included 11 starts and four games finished.

Potential Role with the Detroit Tigers

Similar to Blackley, Brigham seems likely to provide rotation depth in the minors. However, his ability to pitch in relief could help him reach the Majors sooner.

Detroit’s rotation is likely to feature Justin Verlander, Michael Fulmer, Daniel Norris, Matt Boyd and Jordan Zimmermann.

Next: Salary Relief and Sustainability Coming for Tigers, Regardless of Trades

With Bell, Jaye, Anibal Sanchez and Mike Pelfrey potentially in the picture as well, Brigham may find it easier to crack the team as reliever.