Detroit Tigers: Daniel Stumpf and Chad Bell Provide Left-Handed Relief Options

Chad Bell
Age: 27
Major League Experience: None

Acquired from Texas for veteran catcher Bobby Wilson, Chad Bell spent last season pitching in a variety of roles for Triple-A Toledo.

The hard-throwing left-hander racked up 80.1 innings while logging a 3.70 ERA.

Overall, he appeared in 28 games. Of those 28, he started 10 contests while finishing four.

In his minor league career, Bell has started 96 games and finished 22.

There’s real potential for the southpaw to serve as a swingman for the Detroit Tigers.

Having a swingman in the bullpen could be extremely beneficial for the Tigers.

A pitcher like Bell could step in and make spot starts for the likes of Michael Fulmer, Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd should the trio’s innings need to be limited.

What’s more, a potential swingman could also throw multiple innings in relief, saving the other bullpen pitchers in the process.

As of now, Detroit’s best options for the role include Anibal Sanchez, Mike Pelfrey, Buck Farmer and Drew VerHagen.

Of the group, Sanchez and Pelfrey struggled mightily last season, while Farmer and VerHagen haven’t had sustained success as starters in the Majors.

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In other words, Bell could conceivably pitch his way onto Detroit’s Opening Day roster.