Detroit Tigers reportedly interested in starting pitcher Chris Tillman

Detroit Tigers rumors are once again in the headlines. According to the latest tweet from MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the Tigers are reportedly interested in free agent pitcher Chris Tillman.

Detroit Tigers fans could conceivably see a number of changes this offseason.

After a regular season that brought plenty of trade activity, while also seeing prominent Tigers like Justin Verlander, Justin Upton and J.D. Martinez depart, the offseason is here.

Like the regular season, it has involved plenty of players leaving the team.

Among the now-former Detroit players who have departed include utility ace Andrew Romine, catcher Bryan Holaday and outfielders Alex Presley, Tyler Collins and Steven Moya.

Executive vice president of baseball operations and general manager Al Avila has already moved to restock the cupboard somewhat where the depth in the upper minors is concerned.

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Among the players Avila has already brought aboard include outfielder Chad Huffman, utility player Niko Goodrum and right-handed pitchers Kevin Comer and Mark Montgomery.

All were signed on minor league deals. Meanwhile, left-handed starting pitcher Ryan Carpenter joined the organization on a Major-League pact.

Chris Tillman

Now, according to the latest tweet from MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the Tigers are reportedly interested in another free agent starting pitcher.

Morosi tweeted the following on Wednesday night:

“Sources: #Tigers have expressed interest in free agent starter Chris Tillman; talks remain at a preliminary stage. @MLB @MLBNetwork.”

Tillman endured a rough 2017 on the field with the Baltimore Orioles.

He notched a 7.84 ERA, a 6.93 ERA, a 5.87 xFIP and a 5.76 SIERA (not to mention a -1.0 fWAR) in 93 innings spread across 24 appearances.

In those 24 appearances, the 29-year-old made 19 starts and struck out 6.10 batters per nine innings.

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The former Mariners farmhand also walked 4.94 batters and surrendered 2.32 home runs per nine frames.

Tillman’s BABIP also rose to .334. From 2013 to 2016, the starter’s BABIP routinely finished south of .295.

However, despite the starter’s struggles, he still represents the kind of bounce-back candidate that makes sense for the Tigers.

Tillman turned in a collective fWAR of 8.0 during a five-year stretch from 2012 to 2016. That same stretch saw the starter produce a 3.81 ERA, a 4.27 FIP and a 1.253 WHIP in 844.2 innings.

If he can regain that from, the veteran would make for a useful addition to a Detroit Tigers rotation in search of answers.

Detroit Tigers rotation outlook

Outside of Michael Fulmer, there is little in the way of certainty.

Daniel Norris and Matthew Boyd could take steps forward in 2018, or they could regress again as they did in 2017.

Meanwhile, Jordan Zimmermann has–for the most part—struggled mightily since signing with Detroit. There’s also Carpenter.

The southpaw looks like a quality add by Avila and company, but his first start in 2018 with the Tigers will also mark the first time he will take the hill in a Major League game.

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If Tillman can bounce back, and it isn’t exactly a small “if” after his struggles in 2017, he could provide some value.