Detroit Tigers to sign Jordan Zimmermann

The Detroit Tigers and free agent starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann have agreed to terms on a contract, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman. Jon Morosi of FOX Sports reports that the deal is expected to be for five years and around $110 million.

The news comes on the heels of last night’s report from Morosi that the Tigers and Zimmermann were engaged in serious discussions.

Zimmermann becomes the most prominent free agent starter to sign thus far, inking a new deal before the likes of David Price and Zack Greinke.

Set to turn 30 years old next May, Zimmermann is coming off seven very successful seasons with the Washington Nationals. Though sometimes overshadowed by other members of the Nats rotation (i.e. Stephen Strasburg), the right-hander has been a consistent provider of quality innings.

Though he made his debut in 2009, he didn’t break 25 starts in a season until two years later. Over the past five campaigns, Zimmermann owns a 66-43 record, 3.14 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 4.31 K/BB ratio. He collected an NL-high 19 wins in 2013 and also earned his first All-Star nod that season. 2013 and 2014 both saw him finish in the top-10 in Cy Young voting.

Reliability and durability have been Zimmermann’s trademarks throughout his career. He has taken the mound at least 32 times in each of the last four seasons and has posted an ERA+ of at least 110 each of the past five years.

For a pitching-needy team like the Tigers, Zimmermann should be a fine addition. Detroit’s rotation has taken some significant hits in the last couple years, with the departure of David Price at this season’s trade deadline and the loss of Max Scherzer (to Zimmermann’s former club, no less) in free agency the year prior.

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Tigers starters put up a combined 4.78 ERA in 2015 (the fourth-worst mark in MLB), a number that figures to improve with Zimmermann on board. Detroit will also look for rebound performances from Justin Verlander and Anibal Sanchez.