Detroit Tigers: Mike Fiers could be a decent trade chip
By Brad Faber
The Detroit Tigers took a chance on Mike Fiers over the offseason, and it is paying off. While he may not exactly be a front-of-the-rotation starter, he is having a very respectable season.
As of late, there has been a considerable amount of buzz surrounding which Detroit Tigers starting pitchers could be available at the non-waiver trade deadline. Ace Michael Fulmer, Francisco Liriano, and Matt Boyd have each been mentioned to a certain extent.
The Tigers have yet another starting pitcher who could soon be drawing interest as well — Mike Fiers. Over the offseason, the Tigers signed Fiers to a reported one-year, $6 million deal.
Fiers was coming off of a couple of down seasons with the Houston Astros. He was even left off of the World Champion Astros playoff roster last fall as well.
The Tigers gave him a chance to right the ship and rebuild his value. He has done just that.
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On Wednesday night, Fiers was the tough-luck loser in a 3-0 loss against the Oakland Athletics. Fiers went seven innings, allowing just five hits, one earned run and striking out five. It was the second time this season that he had lasted seven innings in a start.
On the year, Fiers is 5-5 with a 4.04 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. For the most part, he has been pitching to contact.
His 6.70 K/9 is a good margin below his career mark of 8.34, but he is still getting the job done. He has also regained his excellent control, posting a 2.02 BB/9 across 84.2 frames so far this season.
Fiers has made five quality starts this season, which ties Liriano for second on the team. They each trail Boyd and Fulmer, who may make seven apiece.
Although Fiers may not exactly be an ace, he has been an above average pitcher this season, according to his 108 ERA+. He could surely be an attractive target for a team that is looking to bolster the back end or middle of their starting rotation.
Fiers is proving to be a pitcher who can routinely go 5.2-plus innings and give his team a chance to win. He has also given up four or fewer earned runs in 13 of his 15 starts.
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The Detroit Tigers may not exactly be able to get a massive “haul” for Fiers, but they could very well be able to get a player who could help them down the road as they continue the process of rebuilding.