Detroit Tigers: 3 closers to consider signing this offseason

The Detroit Tigers should be considering a reunion with former closer Shane Greene, offering him a chance to get back into the closer role once again.

The Detroit Tigers traded away Shane Greene during the 2019 season in the trade that landed them Joey Wentz and Travis Demeritte. Greene has since been demoted from his closer role that he held with the Tigers.

The Atlanta Braves have been using Greene as just one of the reliable bullpen arms the team has to bridge the gap until closer Will Smith enters the game.

Greene had 23 saves with the Tigers in 2019 before getting moved; since then, he has only had one save with the Braves. In 2020, Greene pitched in 28 games, totaling 27.2 innings pitched, where he featured a 2.60 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP, and punched out 21 hitters.

He was dominant on the mound; bringing back Greene would be tremendous for the Tigers’ closer job that needs to be filled. There is only one issue; who wants to come to Detroit in a rebuild?

If the organization could persuade Greene to return to the Motor City, they would be adding someone who could likely be reliable as a ninth-inning option. Greene could also add trade value to the organization as well, but it might come at a cost given Greene’s success and the fact that they’ve already dealt him once.

However, if the Tigers can swing a reunion with Greene for a second stint with the organization, they may have solved their closer issue.