Detroit Tigers: 3 free agent options at starting pitcher

RHP Chris Archer

The Pirates decline the $11 million dollar option on Chris Archer and if you look at his stat lines since he arrived in Pittsburgh, you can see why the Pirates wanted to move on.  Archer missed the entire 2020 season due to needing thoracic outlet syndrome surgery.

If that surgery sounds familiar to you, former Tigers starter Tyson Ross had the same procedure. The track record of successful players to return is limited to the likes of Chris Carpenter, Jamie Garcia, and Josh Beckett.

So why should the Detroit Tigers look into Archer post thoracic outlet syndrome surgery? This is a starter that they could buy low on. In this article by MLB Trade Rumors Steve Adams, he breaks down the Pirates having Archer throwing his two-seamer and sinker and how that factored into his overall numbers.  Adams mentioned without his sinker, was a passable pitcher. It is a good read that breaks down his numbers.

This, of the three arms to consider, is the one with the most red flags. He has not thrown near 200 innings since 2017 but he has had some good strikeout numbers and his stuff when it’s on, is very effective.

Give him no more than a one-year deal like they have been doing. This an arm you can’t ignore the upside on.