Detroit Tigers: 3 starting pitchers to sign this offseason
By Tyler Kotila
Finally, another option the Detroit Tigers should consider signing is Michigan-native Matt Shoemaker.
While suggesting the Detroit Tigers sign Matt Shoemaker is no big-name signing, he is still an arm who can eat up some innings and possibly excel. Shoemaker, now 34 years old, missed time in 2020 with an arm injury.
He did make six starts for the Toronto Blue Jays during the 2020 season, where he had a 4.71 ERA, a 1.08 WHIP, and 26 strikeouts over 28.2 innings pitched. He is a delicate arm given his past injuries, which could be an issue, but it could work out well for the Tigers.
Shoemaker is a Michigan-native and may be looking to come back home; his contract with the Blue Jays for the 2020 season was for $4.2 million. The Tigers could get away with paying him a similar amount in the same ballpark, at least.
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Given his injury history, Shoemaker has to be nursed through the season in terms of his workload, but this works out perfectly.
Looking at Fulmer’s struggles or Norris struggling to be a lengthy starter, Shoemaker could mend this.
The Tigers could rely on Shoemaker to be a starter and let Fulmer/Norris be a bridge arm similar to how the Tampa Bay Rays have used Ryan Yarbrough as a starter and middle-reliever.
It really seems that the Tigers could secure Shoemaker on a team-friendly deal where he could aid the Tigers pitching staff immensely. Shoemaker should not be a hard pitch for the Tigers’ front office to come up with, especially as a Michigan-native.
General Manager (GM) Al Avila and his staff will have to get together and try and figure out which players are best to target this offseason. One thing is certain, adding a starting pitcher would be beneficial to the 2021 roster’s make-up.
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These are just a few of the Detroit Tigers’ options to consider bringing in to bolster their starting rotation.