A Look At The Detroit Tigers Projected 2016 Starting Rotation
By Dan Jenkins
@DanTJenkins
So far this offseason, the Detroit Tigers have addressed one of their most glaring needs -- the starting rotation.
The Tigers' starters struggled in 2015 (with the exception of David Price, who was dealt away at the trade deadline) and new general manager Al Avila wasted no time bring new faces to the Motor City.
The team will look to improve an ERA that ranked 27th in the Major Leagues (4.78), gave up the second most home runs (136) and gave up the fourth-highest OBP (.775).
After moving on from Alfredo Simon and Shane Greene -- the team's two additions to the rotation before 2015 -- the Tigers were ready to get serious this winter, giving Jordan Zimmermann a giant contract.
Here's a look at what the Tigers starting rotation will most likely look like in 2016:
Justin Verlander
2015 statistics: 5-8 record, 3.38 ERA, 113/32 K/BB, 1.09 WHIP, 133.1 IP
Justin Verlander's 2015 season got off to a slow start due to injury, but the former ace returned to form in the second half of the season, posting numbers fans haven't seen from him in years.
Verlander was placed on the DL for the first time in his career as he battled a triceps strain in his throwing arm. Returning in mid-June, it took Verlander a few starts to find his old groove.
In his final 14 starts, Verlander tallied a 2.27 ERA while batters hit only .207 against him with five home runs. If he can continue that trend and stay healthy, Verlander will without a doubt stay at the top of the Tigers' rotation.
Jordan Zimmermann
2015 statistics: 13-10 record, 3.66 ERA, 164/39 K/BB, 1.20 WHIP, 201.2 IP
The Tigers made the first big splash in free agency this offseason when they signed Jordan Zimmermann to a five-year, $110 million contract. The 29-year old is a two-time All-Star who had to pitch in the shadow of Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg with the Washington Nationals.
The Tigers paid Zimmermann to pitch like an ace, and he might have to if Verlander goes down with another injury. In the meantime, the two should be considered starters 1a. and 1b. in Brad Ausmus' rotation.
Zimmermann is no stranger to the spotlight. He threw a no-hitter on the final day of the 2014 season against the Miami Marlins.
Anibal Sanchez
2015 statistics: 10-10 record, 4.99 ERA, 138/49 K/BB, 1.28 WHIP, 157 IP
Anibal Sanchez's 2015 can be described as nothing other than disappointing. After a terrible beginning to the season, Sanchez put together a two great starts in June before eventually fading back into mediocrity.
Sanchez's season was cut short when a shoulder injury sidelined him and sent him to the DL in August. After allowing only four home runs to opposing batters in 2014, Sanchez led the American League with a staggering 29 home runs allowed in 2015 with just 25 starts.
The Tigers are counting on Sanchez to stay healthy in 2015 and pitch like the No. 2-3 starter they paid him to be in 2012 when he signed a five-year, $80 million contract.
Mike Pelfrey
2015 statistics: 6-11 record, 4.26 ERA, 86/45 K/BB, 1.48 WHIP, 164.2 IP
The Tigers signed Mike Pelfrey on Dec. 4 to presumably fill in the No. 4-5 spot in the rotation. After signing a two-year, $16 million contract with the Tigers, Pelfrey comes in with low expectations, but should still hold down the end of the rotation.
Pelfrey broke onto the scene in 2010 with the New York Mets -- with a 15-9 record and a 3.66 ERA -- but regressed after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2012. He also missed most of the 2014 season with an array of injuries.
Pelfrey isn't a world-beater, but could be a decent addition to the end of the rotation if he stays healthy.
Daniel Norris
2015 statistics w/Tigers: 2-1 record, 3.68 ERA, 27/7 K/BB, 1.01 WHIP, 36.2 IP
Norris was the big get in the David Price trade and he pitched well with the Tigers in 2015. He showed potential to be a top-of-the-rotation type starter in the future.
Norris has had a scary offseason so far, undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous growth on his thyroid. He has since announced that he is cancer free and should be able to prepare normally for the upcoming season.
Norris was the top pitching prospect in baseball for a reason and should develop into one of the better pitchers for the Tigers. He might see some bumps in the road in 2016, but will also show flashes of brilliance.
