Detroit Tigers: Three pitchers the team should add as depth pieces

Detroit Tigers executive vice president of baseball operations and general manager Al Avila could do with more depth signings. Here are three fits in Jhan Marinez, Brett Oberholtzer and Jeff Beliveau.

Detroit Tigers fans could see the team make some more depth additions this offseason via minor league signings.

With the rebuild now fully a go, the Tigers will veteran fallback options to serve as insurance for younger players.

These players would ideally be brought in as minor league signings or (if they are a position player) a bench piece.

Either way, said additions would give Al Avila and new manager Ron Gardenhire options in case a younger player needs more time to develop in the minors.

These players could begin in Toledo, but could also work their way into the Major League picture.

There’s plenty of potential to be had up and down the free agent market.

Ideally one or more of these players could conceivably become a contributor or even an eventual trade chip for the Tigers.

Jhan Marinez

A hard-throwing right-hander, Marinez has pitched for four different teams in the last two seasons.

However, that hasn’t stopped him from finding success. In 120.2 relief innings, the former Ray, Brewer, Pirate and Ranger owns a 3.43 ERA, a 4.15 FIP, a 1.435 WHIP and 7.1 strikeouts per nine innings.

What’s more, he registered a 10.3 swinging strike percentage last season.

According to FanGraphs, he’s averaging 95.7 miles per hour on his fastball.

Brett Oberholtzer

After pitching to a 4.12 ERA (also a 3.85 FIP) despite a sky-high .340 BABIP in 131 Triple-A innings in the Blue Jays’ system last season, Oberholtzer could be an intriguing add to the back end of Toledo’s rotation.

He accumulated a 3.5 fWAR, a 3.59 FIP and a 1.286 WHIP in 215.1 innings from 2013 to 2014 predominantly spent as a starter with the Houston Astros.

Still only 28-years-old, there’s time for Oberholtzer to develop into a long-term piece.

Jeff Beliveau

Beliveau is clearly adept at missing bats, with a career 9.5 strikeouts per nine innings in 60.2 Major League frames and 12 punch outs per nine innings in 499.1 minor league frames.

A left-hander, Beliveau also has a lifetime 9.2 swinging strike percentage in stops with the Cubs, Rays and Blue Jays.

He turned in a 3.72 xFIP and 10.73 strikeouts per nine frames in 50.1 innings with Toronto’s Triple-A squad.

The reliever also registered a 3.83 SIERA and 17 strikeouts in 15.2 innings for the big league club last season.

Ideally, Jairo Labourt will step up as Detroit’s second left-hander behind Daniel Stumpf next season.

Next: Is Mikie Mahtook a conceivable trade candidate?

However, adding a veteran like Beliveau to the mix would give the Detroit Tigers some much-need insurance.

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