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Detroit Tigers: Recently-Released Players Worth Taking a Flier on

By Ben Rosener

Mar 7, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher Bryan Holaday (left) is congratulated by Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Tyler Goeddel (2) after Holiday hits a two run homer during the seventh inning of an MLB spring training baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium. The Phillies won 11-6. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher Bryan Holaday (left) is congratulated by Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Tyler Goeddel (2) after Holiday hits a two run homer during the seventh inning of an MLB spring training baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium. The Phillies won 11-6. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 15, 2017; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Paco Rodriguez (75) fields a bunted ball during MLB spring training workouts at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2017; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Paco Rodriguez (75) fields a bunted ball during MLB spring training workouts at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Paco Rodriguez
Age: 25
Position: Relief Pitcher
Throws: Left-Handed

Rodriguez, who missed last season due to Tommy John surgery, bounced back with a solid Spring Training for Atlanta. He threw four innings, posting a 2.25 ERA and a pair of strikeouts.

However, Atlanta recently announced on Twitter that the team had released Rodriguez, among a number of other transactions.

The reliever had previously spent his entire Major League career with the Los Angeles Dodgers before joining the National League East club at the 2015 trade deadline.

Rodriguez moved to Atlanta in the three-team deal that sent Luis Avilan, Alex Wood and Mike Morse to Los Angeles.

In parts of four seasons with the Dodgers, Rodriguez logged a 2.53 ERA and a 2.98 FIP while striking out 9.6 batters per nine innings.

His best campaign came in 2013, when he turned in a 2.32 ERA, a 3.08 FIP and 10.4 punch outs per nine frames in 54.1 innings.

He’d give the Tigers another left-handed option to work alongside Justin Wilson, Kyle Ryan and Blaine Hardy.

Bryan Holaday
Age: 29
Position: Catcher
Hits: Right-Handed

Old friend Bryan Holaday was recently cut by the Phillies.

Philadelphia announced the move in a tweet on Monday morning, tweeting:

"“#Phillies have released catchers Ryan Hanigan and Bryan Holaday.”"

Holaday was drafted in the sixth round of the 2010 draft by the Detroit Tigers and spent parts of four seasons with the club. He was flipped to Texas for Myles Jaye and Bobby Wilson in late March of 2016.

The 29-year-old spent 2016 with the Rangers and Boston Red Sox. In a combined 24 games, the veteran batted .231 with a .281 on-base percentage.

What’s more, the backstop also posted a 66 wRC+, a 0.4 WAR and a .128 ISO while throwing out 29% of would-be base stealers.

The former Tiger’s numbers didn’t exactly jump off the page, but he did provide value on the base paths with a 1.4 BsR.

Holaday would give Detroit another veteran catching option should something happen to James McCann or Alex Avila.

It certainly doesn’t hurt that he’s familiar with the pitching staff.

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