3 starting pitchers the Detroit Tigers should sign right now
By Tyler Kotila
The Detroit Tigers should bring back Drew Smyly.
While Drew Smyly may be a tad bit more expensive than the Detroit Tigers are looking to spend on their fourth starter, he is someone to consider. He is left-handed and may crowd the rotation with left-handers, but he has carved out an excellent career and would be a solid addition.
He’s been in the league for eight seasons now after making his debut with the Tigers organization back in the 2012 season. He would ultimately be one of the members of the 2013 team that has seemingly started to accumulate championship rings with other teams.
All of that aside, Smyly was a decent option for the Braves in 2021. He would make 23 starts with six relief appearances where he totaled 126.2 innings pitched while posting a 4.48 ERA, a 1.37 WHIP, and collecting 117 strikeouts.
He may not be a blow-it-by-you starter who will mow down hitters, but similar to Davies from above, he would be a reliable option in the back of the bullpen. It’s hard not to think that Smyly would come back to Detroit.
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He made $11 million with the Braves in 2021 and $4 million the prior season with the Giants. His contracts have been all over, but if the Tigers took a shot with a one-year deal in the $6-8 million range, he might just bite.