Detroit Tigers: Candidates to slot in as second starting pitcher after Michael Fulmer

Matthew Boyd

If this is based on 2017 performances alone, this spot should go to Matthew Boyd.

Boyd’s overall numbers (5.27 ERA, 1.56 WHIP in 135 innings) won’t jump off the page.

However, the left-hander ranked third on the team behind Fulmer and Justin Verlander in fWAR with a 1.9 number and was much improved down the stretch.

He logged a 3.92 FIP and 30 strikeouts in his final 36.2 innings, which spanned six starts and included a near-no hitter against the Twins.

Daniel Norris

If this is based on pure stuff alone, Norris should probably claim this slot in the rotation.

However, Norris has yet to put it all together in the Majors.

Armed with ace-like stuff, Norris has struggled to pitch late into games. He pitched into the seventh inning just twice last season and failed to put hitters away early.

The fellow southpaw also regressed from an encouraging 2016 (3.93 FIP, 3.94 SIERA and 9.22 strikeouts per nine frames in 69.1 innings) last season.

In 101.2 frames last season, Norris turned in a 4.39 FIP and a 4.94 SIERA. While his strikeouts per nine innings plummeted from 9.22 to 7.61, his swinging strike percentage didn’t dip as much, dropping from 10.5% to 9.1%.

If the ex-Blue Jay can pitch more efficiently while missing bats, he has a chance to be successful.

Jordan Zimmermann

If Zimmermann can regain some of the form he showed with the Nationals, this role will be his. However, he’s failed to pitch like the starter who consistently racked up seasons of a 3.0 fWAR or higher in Washington

Zimmermann struggled mightily in his first go-around in Detroit, but that paled in comparison to his 2017 season as he was hit around much more often.

In 160 innings, the veteran turned in a 1.55 WHIP, a 5.41 xFIP, a 5.22 SIERA and a 5.18 FIP.

Zimmermann’s hard contact percentage also ballooned, going from 27.2 in 2016 to a career-worst 39.5 in 2017.

Of all Major League starters with at least 160 innings, that was the worst rate.

Of course, that metric isn’t everything, as Robbie Ray led the league with a 40.4 percentage. Still, it’s worth noting that Zimmermann also had the second-lowest soft-contact percentage in the league among starters with 160 innings.

Yeah, not a great mix there.

Outside the organization?

The Detroit Tigers second starting pitcher behind Michael Fulmer in the rotation may end up being an addition from outside the organization.

Next: Fulmer probably won't be traded. That being said, few teams can make a strong offer

If the Tigers sign a veteran or two to add depth and Boyd, Norris and Zimmermann all struggle again, it wouldn’t be a shock to see a free agent signing finish the year as Detroit’s second best starter.