Sources: Tigers, Zimmermann finalizing deal expected to exceed $100M
12:28 p.m. ET update: The Detroit Tigers are finalizing a five-year contract with free-agent starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann worth around $110 million, according to major-league sources.
Sources: Jordan Zimmermann's deal with #Tigers expected to be 5 years and around $110 million. @JonHeymanCBS first reported agreement.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 29, 2015
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports first reported Sunday that the Tigers and Zimmermann had reached an agreement.
The Tigers are known to be looking for two starting pitchers this offseason, and Zimmermann addresses their need for a No. 1 or No. 2 starter following the departures of David Price and Max Scherzer over the past 12 months. No pitcher on Detroit’s current roster threw over 160 innings in the majors this year, as injuries affected Justin Verlander and Anibal Sanchez.
Zimmermann, who turns 30 in May, has the sixth-best ERA+ in the majors over the past four seasons — ahead of Cole Hamels and Madison Bumgarner — among pitchers throwing at least 800 innings over that span.
With his new contract, Zimmermann will become the first recipient of Tommy John surgery to receive a guaranteed contract in excess of $100 million.
