Detroit Tigers: Should they claim right-hander Randall Delgado?

The Detroit Tigers should capitalize on teams that cut young, underperforming players around the trade deadline, and Randall Delgado is a good way to start.

Detroit Tigers’ General Manager Al Avila is busy shopping a handful of Detroit’s most tradable assets. However, a GM’s goal 100 percent of the time is to find ways to make their team better. Often times, that can be by finding players who have been cast aside by other teams.

J.D. Martinez was Detroit’s greatest success, snapping him up after Houston released him. They’ve also found success in smaller ways with players like Niko Goodrum, Casper Wells and Alex Presley.

With a full-on rebuild in effect, it’s important now more than ever to try to find bargain talent. And with many other teams trading for high-level talent, they are forced to make room on their 40-man roster.

This is where Detroit could try to swoop in and either claim or trade for reclamation projects that, with a fresh start and new coaching, could develop into valuable pieces down the road.

The Arizona Diamondbacks just made a small trade, acquiring former Rays swingman Matt Andriese. To make room, they designated right-hander Randall Delgado for assignment. Delgado is exactly the type of player Detroit should be checking in on.

Why Delgado?

Delgado, 28, has a 4.10 ERA across 538.1 big league innings dating back to 2011. Originally a promising starter for the Braves, Delgado made 24 starts in 2011-2012, pitching to a 3.95 ERA and a 6.6 K/9. He was eventually shipped to Arizona in the Justin Upton trade, where he transitioned to the bullpen. Delgado has had more success coming out of the bullpen, with a career 9.26 K/9 and a 4.10 ERA.

Delgado didn’t make his season debut until July 7, spending most of the year on the shelf with an oblique injury. He’s only thrown seven innings in 2018. However, Delgado looked good as a member of Arizona’s bullpen last season, posting a 3.59 ERA (3.16 FIP) with a 8.62 K/9 and a 2.01 BB/9.

At 28, Delgado is a little older than most reclamation projects. However, he’s already demonstrated the ability to get big league hitters out. Perhaps a chance of scenery and a low pressure role in Detroit will help him reclaim some of that 2017 magic. His history certainly points to a pitcher who could be very useful for the Tigers this season, particularly if they trade away bullpen pieces like Shane Greene or Blaine Hardy.

Delgado will be a free agent at the end of the season, so Detroit may only get a half-year from the right-hander. If he comes to Detroit and pitches well or enjoys his time here, perhaps they can keep him on next year.

Ultimately, Delgado is not a long-term piece for Detroit’s future. He could be a nice rental to bridge the gap while the Detroit Tigers and their fans wait for the young studs to develop down on the farm.