Detroit Tigers: Three potential offseason free agent targets
By Nick Stevens
The Detroit Tigers could use at least one veteran starting pitcher.
Looking ahead at the 2021 Detroit Tigers starting rotation, there are enough options within the organization to put together a respectable rotation. Not a playoff-caliber rotation, but respectable.
Two of Detroit’s top five prospects, RHP Casey Mize and LHP Tarik Skubal, both made their MLB debuts last season and figure to be fixtures in next year’s rotation, although possibly on an innings limit as they adjust to a full season of major league ball.
Matthew Boyd, Spencer Turnbull (led Tigers at 1.4 fWAR), and Michael Fulmer will also return to the rotation, with more Top 10 prospects like Alex Faedo and Matt Manning knocking on the door after pitching in Double-A in 2019. Both were shut down early in 2020 due to arm issues, but recent reports have been positive and both are expected to be ready to go for 2021.
Signing one or two veteran starters who can help Detroit get through 2021 makes sense, and if they are able to flip these starters at the deadline for more farm system depth, then even better.
One name that stands out as a potential signing is RHP Taijuan Walker. After logging just 14 innings between 2018-2019, Walker signed a one-year/$2 million deal with Seattle before the 2020 season, re-establishing himself as a reliabe starter before being traded to Toronto.
He ended 2020 with a 4-3 record, a 2.70 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, a .213 average against, and a 22% strikeout rate. Walker averaged just a tick under 5 IP/GS, logging 53.1 innings in 11 starts.
Walker should be available on another low-cost deal this offseason and if he can pitch as well as he did in 2020 across another half a season next year, he is sure to be in demand at the trade deadline once again.
The Tigers chose Ivan Nova over Walker last season. Maybe, they make the right choice this offseason.