Shane Greene Adds Flexibility To Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers dealt for Shane Greene to bolster their starting rotation in a 3-team trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Yankees. Interestingly, the three teams involved in the trade were also part of the famous Curtis Granderson deal 5 years ago that brought the likes of Max Scherzer, Austin Jackson, and others.
Before the trade the Tigers actually had a few problems with their starting rotation. Mainly they need additional depth to compete for another AL Central crown.
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Dave Dombrowski did just that by trading Robbie Ray and Domingo Leyba to the Diamondbacks and getting Shane Greene in return from the Yankees. With what Greene showed in the 2014 campaign this looks to be a very solid move for the Tigers.
Greene is under club control until after the 2020 season and will hopefully improve as he gets more time in the Majors. With Rick Porcello and David Price being a Free Agent after the 2015 season these type of cost-efficient players will be valuable for the Tigers.
With David Price, Justin Verlander, Anibal Sanchez, Rick Porcello, and now Greene the Tigers have one of the best starting rotation in the Majors. They also have the likes of Kyle Lobstein and Drew VerHagen waiting in the Minors if they are needed for spot starts.
With such a strong starting rotation it brings in the possibility for a variety of moves for the Tigers. They now have depth with one of the best rotations in the Majors. They still have outfield and bullpen issues to deal with too.
The Tigers now have the chance to potentially trade Rick Porcello for Yoenis Cespedes or another trade to strengthen their current squad. Yoenis Cespedes may not be the ideal outfielder for the Tigers (that’s another post for another day). The point is that they now have the ability to upgrade from the starting rotation with more room for error.
Jul 19, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Drew VerHagen (54) pitches during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
With the starting rotation now locked up this also bodes well for the state of the bullpen. The winner of the previous 5th starter battle could work out of the bullpen next season as a mop-up pitcher or innings-eater. VerHagen or Lobstein seem to be the pitchers that may be used in that role.
Just like the last few season the starting rotation will be another premium the Tigers can now rely on. They can also trade away from this surplus to fill a need.
Though it’s never a good idea to move a starter for a relief pitcher. The Tigers could now acquire one of each an outfielder and a relief arm in a trade for one of their starters.
The point is, the Tigers now have the depth in a position in demand called Starting Pitchers. To fill some holes in the bullpen and outfield they will most likely have to deal from this excess of pitching.
You can never have too much pitching and the Tigers will need to capitalize on this opportunity now that they do have the depth and leverage in starters.
Now, your thoughts. How do you think the Tigers should use this new-found option? Should they keep the same starting rotation? Or should they strengthen the outfield and/or bullpen? Whatever the case, the Tigers are known once again for their premium starting pitching.