Detroit Tigers Sign Tyson Ross as a Possible Trade Chip

The Detroit Tigers signed Tyson Ross to a one-year, $5.75 million contract. What value can he bring to the Tigers’ rotation?

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Detroit Tigers have reached a one-year deal with right-handed pitcher, Tyson Ross. Ross is guaranteed $5.75 million for the 2019 season.

The often injured righty posted a solid bounce-back campaign in 2018. Ross spent time with the San Deigo Padres and St. Louis Cardinals, producing an ERA of 4.15 over 149.2 innings of work.

Ross’ 2016 season was marred by shoulder troubles and eventually ended with surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. Injury troubles followed Ross into 2017 as the righty posted an ERA of 7.71 during a stint with the Texas Rangers. Throughout 2016 and 2017, Ross recorded an ERA of 8.12 while injuries limited the starter to just 54.1 innings pitched.

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Prior to his injury troubles, Tyson Ross was a solid front of the rotation type of arm. From 2013-2015, Ross posted an ERA of 3.07 over 516.2 innings pitched.

During his prime, Ross consistently threw in the mid-nineties, but those days are long gone. Ross’ fastball dropped to a career low in 2018, as he averaged 91.7 MPH.

Even though his 2018 groundball rate was far from his peak career levels, I believe we could see that number rebound in 2019. He should compensate for his lost velocity with a greater mix of secondary pitches, including his sinker.

For the rebuilding Detroit Tigers, signing Tyson Ross was an underrated roster move. Ross will help fill out the Tigers’ rotation and he will provide the club with a veteran presence. If he proves to be healthy and effective, Ross could also be a valuable trade chip. Teams will always be looking for arms throughout the dog days of summer.

Ross will join Matt Moore, another recent signee, in the Tigers’ rotation. Like Ross, Moore was another low-risk signing. They both could be effective and valuable, but if they struggle, both arms can be cut loose as they are both signed on one-year pacts. This represents little risk, as both arms look to get their careers back on track.

Will the Detroit Tigers cash in on their investment? Only time will tell, but I believe that Tyson Ross will be a nice piece in the Tigers’ rotation.