Detroit Tigers should take a flier on starting pitcher Wily Peralta

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 30: Buck Farmer #45 of the Detroit Tigers listens to Rich Dubee pitching coach for the Detroit Tigers and Bryan Holaday #50 of the Detroit Tigers after Farmer walked in a run for the Minnesota Twins in the first inning during of their baseball game on September 30, 2017, at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota.(Photo by Andy King/Getty Images) /

Detroit Tigers fans could see the team make some veteran additions this offseason. If the team adds in the rotation, Wily Peralta is worth a look.

Detroit Tigers starting pitchers saw plenty of action in 2017, with 11 different hurlers taking the mound as a starter.

The group included the since-traded Justin Verlander, Anibal Sanchez and a number of pitchers who may be better suited in the bullpen.

Sanchez, who per Spotrac has a $16 million option on his contract for next season, can be bought out for $5 million this offseason.

If the Tigers buy him out and move struggling starters like Drew VerHagen and Buck Farmer to the bullpen, the team will need rotation reinforcements.

After all, that would leave Michael Fulmer, Daniel Norris, Matthew Boyd and Jordan Zimmermann as the only established rotation options.

Considering teams often need more than five starters in a season, it would behoove Detroit to add another option for the rotation.

One potential fit could be Wily Peralta.

According to a tweet from the Milwaukee Brewers’ official player development Twitter account, Peralta and four other players hit the free agent market.

MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy also tweeted about Peralta’s time with the Brewers wrapping up while quoting the tweet from Milwaukee’s official player development Twitter account.

Peralta is a right-handed starter and veteran of 132 games (120 starts) spread across 704.2 Major League innings.

MILWAUKEE, WI – JUNE 08: Wily Peralta #38 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws a pitch during the sixth inning of a game against the San Francisco Giants at Miller Park on June 8, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

More on Wily Peralta

Milwaukee is the only Major League team he’s pitched for. The starter previously broke into the Majors with the franchise in 2012.

Peralta’s best year came in 2014 when he turned in a 1.8 WAR, a 3.73 SIERA, a 3.64 xFIP and a 3.53 ERA in 198.2 frames.

He also struck out 6.98 batters per nine frames to go along with a 1.30 WHIP and a career-low 7.3 walk percentage.

Since then, Peralta has pitched to a 4.88 FIP and a 1.590 WHIP in 293.2 innings.

That being said, the 28-year-old is a prime bounce-back candidate.

He’s been the candidate of some unlucky BABIP numbers over the past few years, with a .336 number and a .362 stat in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

What’s more, Peralta is still missing bats.

His swinging strike percentage this past season (8.7) and in 2016 (8.5) are right in line with his 2014 stat (8.5).

Additionally, the hurler’s velocity hasn’t dropped off much since entering the Majors.

Peralta averaged 96.5 miles per hour on his fastball last season, per FanGraphs. Of course that could partly be attributed to more work in shorter stints out of the bullpen.

Still, it’s encouraging that Peralta’s fastball velocity hasn’t really dipped significantly since he entered the Majors.

DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 22: Manager Brad Ausmus #7 of the Detroit Tigers pulls pitcher Daniel Norris #44 of the Detroit Tigers during the fifth inning of a game against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park on September 22, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

Potential fit with the Detroit Tigers

At best, Peralta will be able to soak up innings for the Tigers, providing an experienced arm to slot in behind and serve as insurance for Boyd and Norris.

Considering he’s only 28, it’s possible the right-hander could develop into a long-term contributor for the Tigers—especially if he can rediscover his 2014 form.

According to Spotrac, the starter is potentially controllable through the 2019 season via arbitration.

While this gives the team a starting option that is more than a rental, it also increases Peralta’s trade value if he can rebound.

Hypothetically speaking, if the pitcher can bounce back, Detroit should be able to get more back in a trade for a 28-year-old starter with controllability as opposed to a 28-year-old starter who is a pure rental.

At worst, though, the Tigers can simply cut their losses with Peralta and move on if he struggles.

At this point, the front office needs to be taking as many fliers as possible on players like the ex-Brewer to see if any stick.

If they do stick, Detroit either has a new piece to add to a burgeoning young core, or a potential trade chip to better improve the future.

If the player doesn’t stick, it’s on to the next option.

Next: The Tigers should sign a 1B and move Miggy to DH. Here are some FA options

With Wily Peralta, the Tigers should taking a flier to see if there’s rebound potential there.

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