Detroit Tigers: Five non-Verlander starters to pursue

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NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 12: Marcus Stroman #0 of the New York Mets pitches during the first inning against the Washington Nationals in game one of a doubleheader at Citi Field on August 12, 2021, in New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /

2. New York Mets RHP Marcus Stroman

Crafty, athletic, forward, out-spoken, maybe even ostentatious. All represent New York Mets starter, Marcus Stroman. He’s a fellow 30-year-old veteran of seven seasons that would offer an upgrade to the Tigers’ current crop of arms.

Stroman

opted out of the 2020 year but proved productive for the Mets this season: 33 starts, 179 innings, 161 hits, 44 walks, and 158 strikeouts; good for a 3.02 ERA and a 3.6 bWAR this season, which

bests all of their pitchers

and only trailed Jeimer Candelario on the team (3.7).

Like fellow free agent Kevin Gausman, Stroman features one of the better chase rates in the league but especially with his slider; an offering in which opponents hit just .184 off of in 2021. Stroman’s fastball velocity is fairly pedestrian, but his sinker is his calling card; showing the bowling ball tumble necessary to generate soft contact.

There is assumed to be loads of interest for Stroman in the offseason. Our friends over at Rising Apple wrote about five clubs who could be interested in Stroman’s services: Mets, Yankees, Blue Jays, Angels, and the Dodgers. Contract length will likely be a factor–if Detroit enters the sweepstakes, do not be surprised if an opt-out is part of the puzzle to make a deal work.

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