Detroit Tigers rumors are already swirling just one month removed from the team being crowned the AL Central Champions of the 2014 season. Dave Domrowski will begin retooling the Tigers soon and once again the emphasis will be on the bullpen, starting with pending free-agent Max Scherzer. The 2013 Cy Young winner has stated that he would like to return to the motor city, however the likelihood of that happening at this point seems moderate at best.
Back in the spring, both sides were in discussions for a possible extension. Eventually negotiations stalled and the Tigers released the following statement via Jim Bowden of ESPN:
"“The Detroit Tigers have made a substantial, long-term contract extension offer to Max Scherzer that would have placed him among the highest-paid pitchers in baseball, and the offer was rejected.”"
Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
If Scherzer goes, will the Tigers look to the free-agent market for guys like Jon Lester or James Shields? Or will they look at in-house options like Robbie Ray, Kyle Ryan, Kyle Lobstein, Drew VerHagen, or Buck Farmer? They also have to decide on whether to exercise Joakim Soria‘s $7 million club option or buy him out for $500,000.
In 44 1/3 innings last season, Soria turned in a 3.25 ERA with 9.7 K/9 and 1.2 BB/9. Considering the Tigers had to give up two of their best prospects in starter Jake Thompson and reliever Corey Knebel to land Soria in July, it’s hard to imagine Detroit not exercising that option.
Either way, I expect the Tigers to do some tinkering with their bullpen and Dombrowski has said that it will be towards the top of their list.
Let’s take a look at 5 possible free-agents that could head to Detroit in 2015, bullpen and otherwise.
Sep 30, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jon Lester (31) throws a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning of the 2014 American League Wild Card playoff baseball game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Jon Lester
At the 2014 MLB Trade Deadline, Jon Lester found himself being traded to the Oakland Athletics. A few hours later, Dombrowski would pull off a blockbuster trade for the Tigers, bringing David Price to Detroit. Now with ace Max Scherzer possibly ready to move on from the Tigers, could Dombrowski bring in Lester and add another excellent lefty to the rotation in Detroit?
Lester held opponents to a 2.46 ERA and 2.80 FIP in 219 2/3 innings in 2014, all career bests. He also struck out a batter per inning for the first time since 2010 and cut his walk rate substantially, resulting in the best strikeout-to-walk ratio of his career.
While the A’s were just 7-4 in games that Lester started after being traded to Oakland, he held opponents to a 2.35 ERA and .632 OPS in 76 2/3 innings, helping Oakland squeeze into the post season.
Furthermore, since Lester was traded mid-season this year, neither the A’s nor the Boston Red Sox are allowed to extend him a qualifying offer, meaning draft pick compensation would not be involved if Detroit were to sign him. Lester turned things around in 2014 after a couple of rough years, but a regression to being the 3-4 WAR pitcher we saw in 2012 and 2013 is a risky proposition for the kind of contract Lester will command.
Oct 15, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Andrew Miller throws a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during the 7th inning in game four of the 2014 ALCS playoff baseball game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Andrew Miller
Detroit Tigers fans should be familiar with the name Andrew Miller.
Miller was drafted by the Tigers in the first-round of the 2006 draft. He made his MLB debut that season, throwing 10 1/3 innings for Detroit down the stretch. In 2007, Miller would make 13 apathetic starts for the Tigers, and would eventually be a part of the blockbuster trade that brought Miguel Cabrera to the motor city before the 2008 season.
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Miller would also struggle as a starter for the Marlins, posting a 5.89 ERA in 220 innings and was traded to the Boston Red Sox after the 2010 season.
Then came last years trade deadline.
Detroit was reportedly close to dealing for the left-handed reliever, only to see the Baltimore Orioles swoop in at the last minute and lock him down. Two months later, Miller tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings in a pair of crucial spots against the Tigers in the ALDS.
Miller was lights out in 2014, allowing just 14 runs in 62 1/3 innings. He struck out a whopping 42.6 percent of the batters he faced, and only walked seven percent. He also gave up just three home runs all season long.
A pitcher as dominant as Miller could certainly help resurrect the Detroit Tigers bullpen.
Sep 21, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Russell Martin (55) hits an RBI single against the Milwaukee Brewers during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Russell Martin
Opposite of the Detroit Tigers pitchers mound lies the questions behind home plate. Current catcher, Alex Avila has battled concussions in 2014, but was a solid contributor to the club. In 124 games, Avila compiled a 2.1 WAR. However given his injury history, his future in Detroit may be up in the air.
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Enter Russell Martin.
Martin, 31, is right-handed catcher who is reaching free agency after playing some outstanding baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates over the last two seasons. Martin has posted medium-to-low batting averages, higher on-base percentages, and had a career year in 2014. He also carries the reputation of being elite defensively, so this could be one way to upgrade the team’s offense, defense, and pitching.
On a Tigers team that often had players with marginal on-base percentages at the top of the order, Martin’s high walk rate would be a welcome addition. However, unless Avila is traded, he will be back with the Tigers in 2015.
Aug 29, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Colby Rasmus (28) gets an hit during the third inning in a game against New York Yankees at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Colby Rasmus
The Detroit Tigers need a center fielder post Austin Jackson.
Jackson spent four-years in Detroit, going through ups and downs, but remaining solid defensively throughout. The Tigers are still looking for his replacement since he was dealt to the Seattle Mariners as a part of a three-team trade that brought David Price to Detroit last summer.
In the Tigers hunt, one name in particular comes to mind, Colby Rasmus.
Rasmus, 28, is a left-handed batter and a center fielder. He is also extremely inconsistent.
He debuted with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2009, and since then has had a pair of 4.0 WAR seasons. He also has three seasons with 1.0 WAR or less. He strikes out a ton and doesn’t hit for a high average, but has a career .192 ISO.
Rasmus’ best seasons came in 2010 and 2013. He compiled a 4.0 and 4.8 WAR for the Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays. He hit .276/.361/.498 with 23 home runs and 12 stolen bases in 2010, his best offensive season. His .369 wOBA and 130 wRC+ that year are both career highs. In 2013, he hit .276/.338/.501 with 22 home runs. His 11.2 UZR and 11 defensive runs saved that year were career bests, resulting in 4.8 WAR.
It’s unclear at this point if Rasmus will receive a qualifying offer from the Blue Jays. If he does, he might be inclined to accept it due to his poor play in 2014. However a situation in which he has a draft pick tied to his name could actually work in the Tigers’ favor. The prospect of giving away a first-round pick for a player like Rasmus will scare some teams away, thus lowering the price to obtain him.
Rasmus has the potential to put up big numbers and is the kind of power hitter that fits nicely into the sixth or seventh spot of a lineup.
Sep 12, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Xavier Scruggs (59) picks a ball to force out Colorado Rockies right fielder Michael Cuddyer (3) during the eighth inning at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Michael Cuddyer
Could Michael Cuddyer join Joe Nathan as the next former Minnesota Twin to make the jump over to the motor city?
Dave Dombrowski might tell you yes.
Cuddyer, 35, is still one of the best hitters on the 2015 free agent market, despite only playing 49 games in 2014. Similar to the Tigers’ Victor Martinez and Torii Hunter, Cuddyer has gotten better with age; posting his two best seasons of his career at the plate over the last two years.
Call to the Pen
He was drafted by the Twins ninth overall in 1997 and has played mostly played right field. He is also a two-time all-star and won the NL batting title in 2013, hitting .331. If the Tigers are unable to resign Martinez, Cuddyer is as good option to replace him.
Among major league batters with a minimum of 200 plate appearances, Cuddyer was 15th in wRC+, one spot behind J.D. Martinez and two spots ahead of Miguel Cabrera, so we know the guy can hit.
Furthermore, he won’t be that expensive to obtain. The injury that held him out of action for more than half of the 2014 season will deflate his market somewhat, and he won’t be subject to draft pick compensation. MLBTradeRumors.com predicts a 2-year, $22 million contract, significantly cheaper than some other DH options project to be.
Although Cuddyer would likely only be signed if Victor Martinez walks and the DH spot is open, he can play all over the diamond and could essentially be a backup corner outfielder, first baseman, and emergency second or third baseman.
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