Detroit Tigers need to add starting pitching in the offseason

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 06: Starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez #19 of the Detroit Tigers reacts after giving up a solo home run to Chris Davis #19 of the Baltimore Orioles (not pictured) in the first inning during a game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 6, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

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PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 14: Jordan Zimmermann #27 of the Detroit Tigers pitches in the first inning during inter-league play against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 14, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Struggling veterans

Jordan Zimmermann and Anibal Sanchez have both continued to struggle mightily in the 2017 season.

After down seasons in 2016, the duo haven’t been able to consistently recapture the form that once made each of them successful.

Both have had stretches spanning a handful of starts where each veteran looks as though they’ve turned a corner.

However, those stretches are followed similar runs of starts that include plenty of poor outings.

On the season, Zimmermann has a 6.11 ERA, a 5.48 xFIP and a 5.46 FIP.

His strikeout percentage continues to hover in the mid-teens, while his 5.85 strikeouts per nine innings would be the second-lowest rate of his career.

Meanwhile, Sanchez continues to struggle with the long ball.

The 33-year-old is on pace to set a new career high for home runs allowed per nine innings with 2.67.

All told, he’s been tagged for 82 home runs since the beginning of the 2014 campaign.

According to Spotrac, Sanchez has a $16 million option on his contract for next season that can be bought out for $5 million.

Buying him out should help the Detroit Tigers improve the rotation and save money at the same time.

That newfound cash should be reinvested back into the free agent market.