Detroit Tigers: 3 relievers to consider signing this offseason

As the Detroit Tigers start preparing for the offseason and free agency, piecing together a bullpen is crucial for them to make strides.

While the Detroit Tigers are likely focused on figuring out who will be the organization’s next manager, they will also have to make some smart financial decisions in free agency. There is no need to be shelling out money on useless contracts, but they do have some areas to address.

The Tigers actually had a serviceable bullpen in 2020 which is groundbreaking for the organization. With players like Bryan Garcia breaking out and finding success during the season it was incredible for the Tigers.

It was not all sunshine and rainbows for the Tigers as closer Joe Jiménez posted a 7.15 ERA and lost his role as the closer by the end of the season. Obviously, getting back on track in 2021 is not out of the question for the former all-star.

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The Tigers are going to have to be smart and make sure they can craft a bullpen that is successful but is also cost-effective and facilitates development during a pitching-led rebuild.

There is going to be a ton of different arms on the free-agent market and the Tigers will just have to be smart and consider the different options.

Anthony Bass- RHP

The Detroit Tigers should consider Anthony Bass who would be a low-cost, effective reliever to add to the back end of the Tigers bullpen.

Not to mention that Bass is a native of Trenton, having played his college ball for Wayne State University in Detroit.

Bass was on a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2020 season.

He would pitch in 25.2 innings, totaling a 3.51 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP, and striking out 21 hitters. He played the 2019 season for the Mariners posting similar numbers, a 3.56 ERA with 48 innings pitched.

He relies on a sinker/slider combo to be effective on the mound. He could be a relatively cheap option to consider to add some depth to the bullpen. As a 32-year-old veteran, Bass could hopefully be reliable on the mound and also work well alongside the prospects filtering through the clubhouse.

Trevor May- RHP

The Tigers could reach into the Minnesota Twins bullpen and poach Trevor May, who is currently on a one-year, $2.21 million contract that leaves him heading to the open market this winter. May has spent six seasons in the majors, all of them with the Twins.

Now 31 years old, May will be on the market and might be a perfect fit for the Tigers bullpen. He is a reliable arm who might even be thrown into a race for closer if Jiménez continues to struggle, come 2021.

May pitched in 24 games for the Twins in 2020, he accumulated 23.1 innings pitched where he had a 3.86 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP while punching out 38 opposing hitters. He relies on a fastball/slider combo, sometimes mixing in a changeup and sinker, but the fastball/slider combo is what helps May be effective.

Tony Watson- LHP

While the three-batter-minimum rule has been implemented, depleting the value of a lefty specialist a little bit, Tony Watson is someone to consider. The Tigers should consider adding the thirty-five-year-old who was on a one-year, $3 million contract with the San Francisco Giants in 2020.

Watson was incredibly effective for the Giants in 2020, he had 21 appearances, totaling 18 innings pitched where he had a 2.50 ERA, a 0.89 WHIP, and striking out 15 opposing hitters. He is a three-pitch guy, more of a sinker/change-up/slider guy, getting most of his success with the change-up.

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The Tigers should seriously consider Watson, he may not throw gas, but a soft-lefty who can still be crafty as a veteran is worth a look. Watson, like Bass and May, are all options the Tigers could add for cheap, helping them build a bullpen in the midst of a rebuild.

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