Detroit Tigers Should Look at These Two Pitchers to Bolster Staff

The Detroit Tigers have not had a winning season since the 2016 season when they went 86-75. Some of that blame goes to the pitching staff of those teams. The other blame goes to offense, which has struggled also but the pitching staff has lost many games due to inexpereince and misuse of the relief pitchers.

Pitching for the Detroit Tigers has been an issue since 2013 when the roster consisted of Justin Verlander, Rick Porcello, Max Scherzer, Anibal Sanchez, and Doug Fister. That season the team had an ERA under 4.00, which is something that has not happened since then.

With Scott Harris being named the new president of baseball operations Tigers fan had new hope and high expectations that he would change things around sooner than later. To this point he has only signed one major league ready player, left hander and former Tiger Matt Boyd to a contract.

With plenty of arms still available in free agency, one has to wonder what the rotation will look like on opening day 2023. Sooner or later, Harris will have to improve this team from the pitching staff out in order for the Tigers to contend.

Do these pitchers make sense for the Detroit Tigers?

The pitching staff is only one of the issues that remain with the Detroit Tigers as a whole. The Tigers were 23rd in ERA, 23rd in WHIP, and 30th in strikeouts per nine innings last season. Pitchers Alex Lange and Tarik Skubal led the Tigers staff with seven wins a piece. The Tigers already need starting pitching and bullpen help and have several pitchers, including starter Michael Pineda and reliever Wily Peralta, who are free agents. With free agency, there are plenty of quality arms remaining for Scott Harris and below are two names that he could be after.

Relief pitcher and righthander Chad Greene played the 2022 season with the New York Yankees. He compiled a record of 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA, one save, a 1.20 WHIP, and struck out 16 batters in 15 innings. His career numbers include an 8.1 WAR, a 33-22 record, a 3.17 ERA, a 1.022 WHIP, and struck out 494 batters in 383 innings.

Green could play a vital role in the Detroit bullpen. With several Tiger pitchers being free agents, and former closer Joe Jimenez being dealt to the Atlanta Braves, Green could be used to fill that void and occupy the setup or closer role. He has been impressive over his career with the Yankees and could play an important role as the Tigers look to bloster their bullpen and get back to the playoffs.

Starting pitcher, and righthander, Michael Wacha, should be given a close look by Harris as he could be brought in and immediately step in of the Detroit Tigers pitching staff. A veteran with impressive numbers, Wacha would go to the top of the starting rotation because of his playing experience and solid numbers. In 2022, he had a record of 11-2 with a 3.3 WAR, a 3.32 ERA, a 1.115 WHIP, and 104 strikeouts in 124 innings.

Throughout his career, Wacha has a record of 74-50 with a 10.6 WAR, a 4.05 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 1,021 strikeouts in 1,153 innings. He has spent his career with the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets, Tampa Bay Ryas, and Boston Red Sox. A solid pitcher with expereince could help the young pitchers in the organization.