The Detroit Tigers have fallen quiet recently when it comes to free-agent speculation but reportedly are still in contact with a potential comeback candidate.
Detroit was Major League Baseball’s Cinderella squad last season, but the surprising playoff participant needs reinforcements to show that they have staying power among the elite.
The Tigers’ stunning late-season run masked what is still a paper-thin roster — especially when it comes to the team’s starting rotation.
According to Even Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, Motor City wants to sign a starting pitcher to a one-year contract, much like the previous signings of Michael Lorenzen and Jack Flaherty, and the team has its sights set on Walker Buehler.
Buehler rolled into the 2022 season as one of the better young hurlers in the league. He was coming off an All-Star campaign in 2021, going 16-4 with a 2.47 ERA.
However, discomfort in Buehler’s right pitching elbow surfaced, and he underwent Tommy John surgery in August. He missed most of 2022 and the entirety of 2023. The 30-year-old returned to the Dodgers rotation in May of last season. However, an injured right hip led to him missing nearly two months of the season.
When he was healthy enough to pitch last season, Buehler struggled. His 5.38 ERA was his highest since debuting in 2017, and he posted a disappointing 1-6 record with a -1.3 WAR.
Spotrac projects Buehler’s market value at a slight $3.9 million on a one-year deal. A low-risk, high-reward contract of that ilk would allow Detroit to remain active on the free-agent market.
The problem, as Petzold reports, is that Walker’s camp is seeking a two-year deal with an opt-out clause after the first season. If the Tigers and Buehler can’t come to an understanding, the team is reportedly interested in free-agent hurlers Andrew Heaney and Kyle Gibson.
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