The 5 Worst Detroit Tigers Relievers Of The Last 5 Years
By Dan Jenkins
@DanTJenkins
It's been a topic for conversation among Detroit sports fans for quite a while now -- the Detroit Tigers bullpen.
In 2014, the Tigers bullpen finished ranked 27th in the MLB in ERA (4.29). So far in 2015, they have improved, but only slightly -- up to 21st (3.87).
In the Motor City, we all know just how bad the Tigers' relievers have been over the past few years. But there have been a few exceptional pitchers who have underperformed more than others.
Here's the five worst Tigers relievers over the past five seasons:
5. Ian Krol, 2014-Present
55 games, 5.79 ERA, 1.74 WHIP
Ian Krol was a part of the 2013 offseason deal that sent starter Doug Fister to the Washington Nationals -- a deal that drew much ire from Tigers fans. Robbie Ray was supposed to be the cornerstone piece the Tigers got in return, but he was traded for Shane Greene over the most recent offseason.
Krol was a lefty pitcher that the Tigers desperately needed. However, he hasn't panned out the way that the team hoped for. He has had two separate stints in the Majors in 2015, including a June that saw him post a sky-high 14.73 ERA in just four appearances.
4. Brayan Villarreal, 2011-13
73 games, 4.56 ERA, 1.52 WHIP
Not many people remember Brayan Villareal, but he put together a pretty nice season in 2012 -- pitching 54.2 innings and recording a 2.63 ERA. It was 2011 and 2013, however, that earns him a spot on this list.
Rather, 2013 in particular.
In 2013, Villarreal pitched 4.1 innings in just eight games with the Tigers, relinquishing 10 earned runs (20.77 ERA) and nine walks. He was very quickly sent to Toledo before later being traded to Boston in the deal that brought Jose Iglesias to Detroit.
3. Joba Chamberlain, 2014-2015
99 games, 3.71 ERA, 1.39 WHIP
So long, Joba Chamberlain. That's what many Tigers fans are saying this weekend after the team designated him for assignment on Friday. Just two days earlier, Chamberlain gave up three solo home runs to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2/3 of an inning.
Chamberlain was thought to be a low risk-high reward player when he can to Detroit last year, signing for minimal money, while not expected to fill a large role. However, Chamberlain pitched just well enough out of the horrible Tigers bullpen to earn the eighth inning job from manager Brad Ausmus, where he blew four saves and tallied five loses last season.
2. Joe Nathan, 2014-Present
63 games, 4.78 ERA, 1.53 WHIP
Joe Nathan was brought in to be the savior of the Tigers bullpen in the winter of 2013. He was the best closer on the free agent market and president Dave Dombrowski threw money at him to get him to Detroit.
Good in theory, not in practice.
Nathan blew two of his first three saves with the Tigers in 2014 and just never really gained any traction. The former All-Star gave up a run in 20 of his 62 appearances in 2014. He recorded a save in his only appearance of 2015 before undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery.
1. Phil Coke, 2010-14
299 games, 4.25 ERA, 1.52 WHIP
It's shocking how long Phil Coke stayed in a Tigers uniform with just how mediocre he pitched. Coke came over from the New York Yankees in the trade that shipped Curtis Granderson out of town. Leaned on heavily as the only "reliable" left-hander out of the bullpen for years, Coke was often put into situations he could not handle.
He had one redeeming moment with the Tigers, in 2012 when he stepped in for embattled closer Jose Valverde and helped the Tigers reached the World Series. He didn't give up a run in two series against the Yankees and the Oakland Athletics.
However, the Tigers decided to finally move on from Phil Coke in 2015. So far this season, Coke has pitched for the Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays and is currently in the Atheltics' minor league system.
NOTE: Jose Valverde is not on this list because he set the Detroit Tigers record for most saves in a single season when he went a perfect 49-for-49 in 2011.
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