Detroit Tigers

Detroit Tigers Fighting for Spots in the Pitching Rotation

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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In a press conference at the Winter Meetings in Maryland, Brad Ausmus made a rather surprising announcement about the 2017 Detroit Tigers.

He let the Detroit Tigers world know that only three positions in the pitching rotation have already been decided.

Like 2016, the remaining spots, four and five, will be determined in Spring Training.

The three set spots belong to Justin Verlander, Michael Fulmer, and Jordan Zimmermann. This does not come as much of a surprise. Verlander and Fulmer certainly proved themselves as the most consistent pitchers in the rotation. Zimmermann simply makes too much money and must be in the rotation.

Issues with Jordan Zimmermann’s Neck Pain

And, according to Al Avila, Zimmermann is having treatments in his neck in the form of “injections in certain parts of his neck that block those areas where he had pain.” The right-handed pitcher is involved in physical therapy, too. He is reportedly doing well and feeling “very good right now.”

In 2016, some positions in the rotation were set prior to Spring Training and we all know how that turned out. Of those preset positions, only one (Verlander) was still in his rotation when the season was over. The rest of the rotation was successfully filled by three rookies, with one of them winning the Rookie of the Year award.

The Problem: Too Many Pitchers

Jul 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey (37) walks off the field after being relieved in the second inning against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Tigers do have a good problem: too many starting pitching candidates. With the success of Matt Boyd and Daniel Norris in 2016, they should have guaranteed spots. The problem for these two comes in the form of two veteran pitchers who are losing their stuff. Mike Pelfrey and Anibal Sanchez both have one more year with the Tigers before they enter into free agency. Once those two leave, then Boyd and Norris should have guaranteed spots.

It is easy to understand why Zimmermann has a spot. He is making $110 million with the Tigers, so he should be playing. It wasn’t too long ago that Zimmermann actually had an ERA of 0.55 in May of 2016. He was awarded the AL Pitcher of the Month for his 23 strikeouts in 33 innings. Then, the neck injury happened and Zimm finished the season with a 4.87 and a 1.367 WHIP. He practically disappeared in June, July, and August.

The Other Problem: Weak Veteran Pitchers

The other two veterans, Pelfrey and Sanchez, were incredibly disappointing in 2016. Statistically, they both hurt the team. Sanchez gave up 30 home runs (and so did Verlander) and Pelfrey gave up 15. Sanchez was a long way off of the ERA leader that he once was. He finished 2016 with a 5.87 ERA and a 1.461 WHIP.

Pelfrey’s numbers weren’t any better. He finished 2016 with a 5.07 ERA and thoroughly disappointing 1.731 WHIP. Like Zimmermann, Pelfrey disappeared for July and August. He returned for a handful of innings in September where he actually recorded an ERA of 14.73. He gave up six runs in three innings – including one home run.

Sanchez’s Shining Moment

Sanchez did have a few shining moments, especially in his performance against the Kansas City Royals on August 17. During that game, Sanchez allowed one hit with two walks while recording eight strikeouts. Unfortunately, the Tigers lost that game when Justin Wilson and Shane Greene gave up four runs. Sanchez’s success was short-lived as he returned to his familiar ways for the remainder of the season.

Unless Al Avila can find a trade partner or two, there is a safe chance that Pelfrey and Sanchez will be throwing meatballs to opposing batters in 2017. Hopefully, the young pitchers bring their hunger for spots in the starting rotation. The Winter Meetings may have been a bit dull for the Tigers, but Spring Training most likely will not be.

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