A question was asked about how the Detroit Tigers starting rotation could look in 2023. That got us thinking, and after a bit of research, here are 5 free agent starting pitchers that could interest the Detroit Tigers in Free Agency.
1. Sean Manaea, LHP
Manaea is without doubt a buy-low candidate for the Detroit Tigers this offseason. After a strong start to his season in 2022, Manaea has struggled down the stretch. His ERA is surprisingly over 5 heading into the last month of the season. The Tigers could look for a bounce back season from the 30-year-old lefty, with his track record speaking for himself dating back to his days with the Oakland A’s.
2. Tyler Anderson, LHP
Anderson has seemly come out of nowhere in 2022, putting up the best numbers of his career by a wide margin this year. In addition, Anderson has pitched in over 160 innings, winning 15 games for the NL West winning Dodgers. His ERA currently sits at 2.62, while also posting a 3.41 FIP as well. Overall, Anderson could just be getting started out as a top of the rotation type pitcher and could be a piece the Tigers look to add in 2023.
3. Nathan Eovaldi, RHP
Eovaldi is probably most famous for his postseason run in 2018 with the Red Sox. He emerged as a dominate force out of the bullpen for the 2018 World Series Champs. After making his first all-star team in 2021, Eovaldi has had a solid 2022, with his ERA sitting at 4.15 in around 10o innings pitched. Could the hard throwing right hander be an option for the Tigers this offseason?
4. Michael Wacha, RHP
Has there been any pitcher that has flown under the radar more than Michael Wacha this year? He has obviously been a bright spot for the Red Sox. Going 11-1 with an ERA at just 2.69. To put that into perspective, Wacha’s ERA the last three years looked like this: 5.05, 6.62, 4.76. This is Wacha’s best year of his career without doubt, and at just 30 years old, he could just be getting started.
5. Jose Quintana, LHP
Tigers’ fans should know Quintana from his days spent with the White Sox earlier in his career. The lefty now resides in St. Louis, pitching for the first place Cardinals. The 33-year-old has had a career resurgence, tossing 143 innings to the clip of a 3.34 ERA, splitting time between the Pirates and Cardinals this year. As a result, the veteran could be a nice piece to the Tigers rotation next year, or as a potential trade chip at the 2023 deadline.
What free agent pitchers should the Tigers look to sign in 2023?
Sean Manaea?
Kyle Gibson?
Andrew Heaney?
Maybe even Justin Verlander? 😮 pic.twitter.com/Kf0J6rJ6Y9— Woodward Tigers (@WoodwardTigers) September 14, 2022
Closing Thoughts on Detroit Tigers Free Agency
The Detroit Tigers should have an interesting upcoming offseason. Their starting rotation will be a topic of interest, with Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal set to miss a majority of the 2023 season. Who do you want to see Detroit sign in free agency in 2023? We discussed it on the latest “Woodward Tigers” podcast.
Photo: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
