Detroit Tigers: 3 starting pitchers to sign this offseason

The Detroit Tigers should consider spending a little bit of cash to sign starter Chris Archer with hopes that he can be a solid number two or three and then become a rental.

During the offseason, the Detroit Tigers will need to start working through ways to improve their rotation. Signing starting pitcher Chris Archer is just one of those moves that could provide the Tigers with more than a form of upside.

While 32-year old Archer has not been the same pitcher he was with the Tampa Bay Rays earlier in his career, he should thrive on a team where there is less pressure to succeed. Archer could comfortably slot in as the second or third starter spot and try to find success.

If he were to find success, he could be shipped out at the trade deadline for more assets to add to the farm system for the rebuild. Archer has spent time with the Pittsburgh Pirates after being moved to the Pirates in the Tyler Glasnow and Austin Meadows robbery by the Rays back in 2018.

Archer did not pitch during the 2020 season after an elbow injury forced him to undergo Tommy John Surgery. In 2019, Archer made 23 starts for the Pirates, where he had a 3-9 record, a 5.19 ERA, a 1.41 WHIP, and 143 strikeouts over 119.2 innings pitched.

While he is recovering from Tommy John Surgery, Archer might be someone to consider on that “prove me” type contract. If he can settle into that number two or three spot in the rotation as hinted at above, he would be well worth the investment.

His last contract had Archer taking home $4.25 million a year (on average,) which means the Tigers could try to bargain and strike a deal that is beneficial for both sides. Archer does not have a lot of leverage given the uncertainty he brings coming off of Tommy John surgery, and the Tigers are going to look to be cost-effective.