Detroit Tigers: Should they consider Jake Peavy?

Detroit Tigers’ General Manager Al Avila indicated the Tigers are hoping to add one more pitcher before the season starts. Could veteran Jake Peavy be the guy?

The Detroit Tigers have spent a fair amount of time this offseason addressing their pitching staff. Gone are ace pitcher Justin Verlander and former closer Justin Wilson, traded at midseason for a haul of prospects. Gone too are Anibal Sanchez, Bruce Rondon and Myles Jaye, all of whom signed with division rivals for 2018.

Heck, even occasional relief pitcher Andrew Romine is gone, having been claimed by the Seattle Mariners early in the offseason.

However, the Tigers have done their fare share of adding as well. Veteran right-hander Mike Fiers was signed to shore up the rotation. Travis Wood and Ryan Carpenter, both free agents, will compete for a spot in the rotation as well. Even veteran reliever Alex Wilson is joining the fun, announcing that he intends to compete for a rotation spot this spring.

A flurry of minor league free agent relief pitchers have been signed, including James Russell, Johnny Barbato, Enrique Burgos and Phillippe Aumont.

Despite all the new blood, the Tigers are still looking to add to their stable of big league ready arms.

Avila does not specify if they are looking to add a starter or reliever. However, with a very slow moving market, there are plenty of options for both.

One name the Tigers could consider is veteran right-hander Jake Peavy.

Jake Peavy on the Tigers

If you haven’t read this article about Jake Peavy and his current situation, you should. Peavy’s last season in the majors was 2016. He was dealing with a multitude of personal issues which contributed to an ugly 5.54 ERA in 118 innings. Peavy decided to take the 2017 season off to spend more time with his family. However, he is ready to come back and finish his career on a high note. He plans to host a showcase around May 1, after his oldest son is out of school.

The three time All-Star and 2007 Cy Young winner will almost certainly have to settle for a minor league deal, and the Tigers should extend him that offer.

Peavy, similar to Tim Lincecum (who the Tigers watched pitch recently) would be brought on as a mentor for the younger guys. He would compete for a job in the starting rotation, but would likely be held as depth in the minors. With the injury prone Tigers rotation, Peavy would likely get a chance to take the hill for the Tigers, even if he does not break the rotation out of camp.

Next: Could Tim Lincecum be a bullpen option?

Prior to his disastrous 2016 season, Peavy tossed 110.2 innings of 3.58 ERA ball with a 1.12 WHIP for the Giants in 2015. Expecting him to pitch like that in 2018 is ambitious, but perhaps a change of scenery and a clear head will allow Peavy to end his career on a good note. A season mentoring young, talented arms in the Motor City could be the perfect remedy for Peavy.