Detroit Tigers: 3 free agent relievers they should target this offseason

The Detroit Tigers should consider adding a veteran reliever (or two) that they can use in the first half and potentially deal at the trade deadline.

For what feels like the 100th year in a row, the Detroit Tigers had a poor performing bullpen. While they had some pieces that looked solid, including Joe Jimenez, Blaine Hardy, Alex Wilson and Louis Coleman – the performance as a whole was subpar.

For a rebuilding team, having an elite bullpen is somewhat unnecessary. This team should be focusing on acquiring young, cost-controlled talent in the field and in the starting rotation. The bullpen is a piece that is easier to fix when the team is ready to contend for a World Series.

However – that doesn’t mean the Tigers shouldn’t look for reinforcements this offseason. There are a ton of free agent relievers, and a supply and demand issue should create a situation where quality bullpen arms are available on the cheap. If the Tigers are able to, they should bargain hunt for a reliever or two. That way, they have some reinforcements if/when some of their younger arms struggle or get hurt.

Plus, as we have seen in years past, high-performing relievers often bring back high-quality prospects at the trade deadline. The Tigers might as well scoop up a reliever or two on the cheap and hope they perform well so they can trade them and get another prospect to add to their impressive collection. If the reliever doesn’t pan out – no harm done.

Here are three arms the Detroit Tigers could consider adding this offseason.

Trevor Rosenthal

Trevor Rosenthal is a strikeout machine who was a mainstay in St. Louis’ bullpen from 2012-2017. He was their primary closer between 2014-2015, saving 93 games with a 2.65 ERA and a 11.0 K/9. He faltered a bit in 2016, but looked like his old self in 2017 with a 3.40 ERA and a huge 14.35 K/9.

Unfortunately, Rosenthal underwent Tommy John surgery in August of 2017. That kept him out for the entirety of 2018. Unlike Michael Pineda and Drew Smyly, who signed low-cost two-year deals when they knew they would miss one season, Rosenthal opted to remain unsigned and rehabbed on his own.

The 28-year-old hosted a showcase on October 3 – roughly 13 months removed from the surgery. Word is the Tigers, along with virtually every MLB team – had a scout on hand to watch the right-hander throw.

The Tigers should consider signing Rosenthal if his cost doesn’t get too high. By the time spring training rolls around, Rosenthal will be 18 months removed from surgery and should be back to his healthy, hard-throwing ways. It’s always a risk to pick someone post-TJ, as often times their control falters and their risk for re-injury is much higher.

However, the Tigers have very little to lose in this situation. Rosenthal is just 28, and if he can return to even close to his old ways he would immediately slot into Detroit’s late-inning situation.

If things don’t work out, Detroit won’t have lost much. Plenty of teams will surely offer Rosenthal small contracts loaded with incentives, but few can offer a clearer path to a late inning role. Rosenthal would be smart to come to Detroit where he has a great chance of grabbing an eighth or ninth inning job.

John Axford

Axford’s last truly great season was in 2011, but his 2018 season was not as bad as it appeared on the surface. Axford split last season between the Blue Jays and Dodgers, tossing 54.2 innings with a 5.27 ERA, a 1.35 WHIP and an 8.89 K/9.

Advanced metrics say Axford wasn’t as bad as the ERA indicates, giving him a 3.98 FIP, a 3.86 xFIP and a 3.67 SIERA. His 8.89 K/9 is slightly lower than what he normally produces, but his 3.62 BB/9 is the best mark he has posted since 2011. That’s right, Axford had the best command he’s had in six years in 2018.

Axford is 36 now, and it’s reasonable to assume there isn’t too much left in the tank. However, he will almost certainly be a bargain this offseason, as teams will be scared away by his age and ERA.

If the Detroit Tigers can snag him on a minor league deal with incentives, they can gamble on his stats lining up more closely with the advanced metrics from last season. And if that’s the case, the Tigers will have stolen a high-3.00 ERA, 9.00 K/9 bullpen arm for next to nothing.

Plus, he would make a very solid trade candidate if he can pitch at that level. If he doesn’t, well the Tigers can cut bait and give one of their minor league relievers an option.

The bullpen market is quite a robust one this offseason, and the Detroit Tigers would be wise to take advantage of a buyers market and snatch someone up for 2019.