Report: Tigers in 'serious' talks with Jordan Zimmermann
Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila listed pitching as a main priority this offseason, and it appears he's honed in on his target.
The Tigers are reportedly in discussions with right-hander Jordan Zimmermann, according to Jon Morosi of FOX Sports, with multiple people saying talks have become serious.
Zimmermann is one of the top free-agent starters on the market, and is expected to come as a cheaper alternative to David Price, Zack Greinke, and Johnny Cueto.
The 29-year-old is coming off a season in which he went 13-10 with a 3.66 ERA, and 164 strikeouts over 201 2/3 innings. He's thrown at least 196 innings in each of his past four seasons, going 58-32 with a 3.13 ERA over 129 starts.
2016 POTENTIAL ROTATION
Pticher | W-L | ERA | IP | SO |
---|---|---|---|---|
Zimmermann | 13-10 | 3.66 | 201.2 | 164 |
Verlander | 5-8 | 3.38 | 133.1 | 113 |
Sanchez | 10-10 | 4.99 | 157 | 138 |
Norris | 3-2 | 3.75 | 60 | 45 |
Boyd | 1-6 | 7.53 | 57.1 | 43 |
With the goal of reaching the postseason still alive in Detroit, the Tigers need to address a rotation that is headlined by Justin Verlander, and Anibal Sanchez - both successful veteran pitchers who are coming off sub-par seasons - while the young trio of Daniel Norris, Buck Farmer, and Matt Boyd own a combined 165 career innings.
Avila has already improved one of the league's worst bullpens from a season ago, having acquired closer Francisco Rodriguez from the Milwaukee Brewers earlier this month.