Baltimore Orioles: Potential landing spots for Chris Tillman
By David Hill
Pittsburgh Pirates
Unless they trade Gerrit Cole and Andrew McCutchen, the Pittsburgh Pirates likely have designs on competing. Chris Tillman could help with that goal.
The Pirates have had some success with reclamation projects before. Pitchers like Ivan Nova, A.J. Burnett (twice), and Francisco Liriano rebuilt their careers with the Pirates. Each pitcher was able to parlay that success into a multi-year deal, once again becoming viable targets in free agency.
Tillman, in a lot of ways, finds himself in a similar situation as those pitchers. He is looking to rebuild his value, and may well accept a one year contract to do just that. In teaming up with Ray Searage, who has become the best pitching coach in the game, he could once again be that solid top of the rotation starter he had been.
Such a deal would make sense for the Pirates as well. Should Tillman regain his form, he could be the starter Pittsburgh needs to return to contention in the NL Central. Otherwise, if the Pirates struggle and Tillman regained his form, he would be a solid trade chip at the deadline.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have had success with reclamation projects like Chris Tillman. Why not see if lightning can strike once again?