Detroit Tigers: They should sign these two relievers

2 of 3

DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 24: Shane Greene #61 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates a 10-6 win over the New York Yankees with James McCann #34 at Comerica Park on August 24, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

The Detroit Tigers bullpen has been a source of stress and heartache for the fans for over a decade and do not expect that to change this year. However, trying to make it better is never a bad idea, even on a rebuilding team.

The Detroit Tigers are in a rebuild they will still not have a good bullpen and even with the slow free agent market, they should NOT go after big names. A couple solid and cheap relievers would not be a bad idea, especially for competition with the younger players. If the Detroit Tigers were to make another MLB free agent signing it should not be a premiere free agent or a long contract. A one or even two year deal is long enough.

The Tigers do not necessarily need to sign any one else, but with the slow free agent market they could possibly get a great deal on a solid player.

There are two pitchers out there that would be perfect on a rebuilding Tigers team. One of them will miss about half of the season while the other pitched for three teams last year. Both have pitched on rebuilding clubs and both would be a nice veteran prescence on a young team.

Tyler Clippard

Tyler Clippard is a former two time all star who pitched for three teams in 2017. Clippard started the year with the New York Yankees. He was then traded to the rebuilding Chicago White Sox in the Todd Frazier deal. And finally, Clippard was traded to the eventual World Series champion Houston Astros, who ultimately left Clippard off of their postseason roster due to his struggles.

In 2017 with the two contending teams he played on, the Yankees and Astros, he struggled. With the Yankees he had an ERA of 4.95, a FIP of 5.00, and an ERA+ of 92. With the Astros, the struggles were even more pronounced, although in a smaller sample size. In Houston he pitched to an ERA of 6.43, a FIP of 5.09, and an ERA+ of only 63.

With the rebuilding White Sox, however, Clippard pitched to an ERA of 1.80, and FIP of 2.26, and an ERA+ of 247(!). One stat that Clippard excelled on with all three teams was his strikeouts. Clippard had 10.7 K/9. He did, however have 4.6BB/9 while giving up 47 hits in 60 innings.

Prior to 2017, Clippard was a very solid reliever who also acted as a closer a couple of times. He was an All-Star in 2011 and 2014 while pitching for the Washington Nationals. Clippard also has 61 career saves and if he pitches well in the first half of a one year deal, he could be flipped to a contender for a prospect or two.

during the opening day game at Guaranteed Rate Field on April 4, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Tigers defeated the White Sox 6-3. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Zach Putnam

Zach Putnam was born in Rochester, Michigan, attended Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, and attended the University of Michigan. It is always nice to see a local player on your local team. Putnam, like Clippard, pitched for the rebuilding Chicago White Sox in 2017. He has pitched for the Chicago White Sox since 2014.

Putnam has a career ERA of 3.20 in 145 games. He has a FIP of 3.37, an ERA+ of 124, and a 9.6 K/9. Those are pretty nice numbers, but Putnam comes with some risks.

Putnam will miss at least half of the 2018 season while he recovers from Tommy John Surgery. There is always a risk with a pitcher undergoing surgery, but sometimes it can pay off in a big way. Putnam could be a low risk, high reward player, especially since he has one year of arbitration remaining. That means that Putnam could be controlled through the 2019 season, so in 2019 Putnam could be dealt if he were to pitch well.

Next: Predicting the 2018 Bullpen

The Detroit Tigers bullpen will not be good in 2018 as per usual. Signing both Clippard and Putnam would be beneficial as veteran presences and providing much-needed innings.

Home / Detroit Tigers News

The Detroit Tigers bullpen has been a source of stress and heartache for the fans for over a decade and do not expect that to change this year. However, trying to make it better is never a bad idea, even on a rebuilding team.

Tyler Clippard

Zach Putnam

Schedule