Detroit Tigers: Familiar Faces as Potential Free Agent Fits

Pitchers

Doug Fister

Even with Anibal Sanchez and Mike Pelfrey in the fold, the Detroit Tigers could still use rotation depth.

The veteran duo struggled mightily at times, turning in a collective 1.2 WAR in a combined 272.1 innings pitched. By comparison, Matt Boyd logged a 0.9 WAR in just 97.1 frames.

Adding Doug Fister as an extra starter behind Boyd, Justin Verlander, Daniel Norris, Michael Fulmer and Jordan Zimmermann would make sense.

The former Tiger could also serve as a swingman, throwing multiple innings out of the bullpen.

Joba Chamberlain and Neftali Feliz

These two seem the most unlikely of the bunch considering Detroit’s current bullpen options. However, extra depth is never a bad thing.

Chamberlain bounced back by contributing a 2.25 ERA and a 3.80 FIP in 20 innings for Cleveland last season.

Feliz also turned in a solid campaign, pitching to a 3.52 ERA and 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings in Pittsburgh.

Somewhat surprisingly, the 28-year-old posted a higher FIP (4.52) with the Pirates than he did during his stint with Detroit (3.95).

The reliever also had a higher walk rate with Pittsburgh, seeing the number jump from 2.9 free passes per nine innings to 3.5 walks per nine innings with the National League Central club.

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However, the former Texas closer may be too expensive for the Tigers. Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports predicts a two-year, $12 million contract, while MLBTradeRumors prediction is for three years and $18 million.