Detroit Tigers need to add starting pitching in the offseason

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BALTIMORE, MD – MAY 21: Marco Estrada #25 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 21, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /

Free agent fixes

The Detroit Tigers obviously don’t want to overpay for a starter and be stuck with another Mike Pelfrey-like situation.

However, the team could invest in some free agents on one-year deals.

This way, the team could bring Norris and Boyd along slower if need be while filling out the rotation with more consistent arms.

What’s more, if the Tigers fail to contend in 2018, they can always flip the rentals for prospects at the trade deadline.

Detroit will have some cash to work with this offseason should Sanchez be bought out.

In addition to the potential buy out, the Tigers will see past commitments to Pelfrey, Mark Lowe and Francisco Rodriguez come off the books.

There will be likely arbitration raises for Nicholas Castellanos, Shane Greene, James McCann, Alex Wilson, Andrew Romine and Bruce Rondon, but the Tigers should have more money to play with.

The amount of additional capital general manager Al Avila will have to work with will only go up if Justin Upton departs via free agency or Jose Iglesias is traded.

The Free Agent market

Detroit likely isn’t going to be in the bidding for one of the high-priced free agents on the market like Jake Arrieta, Yu Darvish, Alex Cobb or Jason Vargas.

However, the team could still find some suitable rotation fill-ins on one year deals.

This is all speculative mind you, but Marco Estrada, Jaime Garcia, Tyler Chatwood or Scott Feldman could be potential fits.

In conclusion

Regardless of if the Detroit Tigers are rebuilding are not next, the team needs some more rotation options.

Even with Verlander and Fulmer in the rotation, the rotation is tied for the third-worst WHIP in the league and is 20^th in WAR and 29^th in innings pitched.

Only the White Sox have gotten fewer innings out of their starting pitchers. As it stands, the Tigers only have a two inning lead over their American League Central rivals.

Next: Tigers should make more moves like Mikie Mahtook trade

Those numbers simply aren’t going to cut it.

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