Detroit Tigers: Five non-Verlander starters to pursue

3. Toronto Blue Jays LHP Robbie Ray

The Detroit Tigers acquired Robbie Ray as part of the deal that sent Doug Fister to the Washington Nationals in 2013 and then subsequently shipped him out after six starts as part of a three-team deal that put Shane Greene in the Olde English D. Much has happened for Ray since–at the time, Ray showed promise but never really had a breakthrough performance.

In Detroit as a 22-year-old, Ray gave up 43 hits and 26 runs in 28.2 innings; good for an 8.16 ERA. Since then, Ray has been electric but has struggled with command even as recently as 2020; where he averaged 9.2 hits per 9 innings and 7.8 walks per nine innings.

Toronto saw some potential, though, as they acquired him from Arizona and re-signed him for a one-year, $8 million deal for this season. Ray likely won’t earn a Cy Young Award, but he probably should. 6.7 bWAR; 32 starts, 193.1 innings, 150 hits, 248 strikeouts, a 2.84 ERA, and a 1.045 WHIP.

Robbie Ray would be a familiar face but would present some inherent risk. Although Ray’s strikeout numbers have been rock-solid throughout his career, his 2.4 walks per nine this season are by far the lowest of his career and could be due for some regression. Ray is a year younger than the former two starters and his left-handedness may present a slight edge, especially given the uncertainty surrounding starter Matthew Boyd.