You may have heard, but the Tigers' bullpen is collapsing again -- and we're still in the top of the first. It was supposed to be study this year. It still can be. But it sure looks shaky after losing three key arms in Jose Cisnero, Andrew Chafin and Kyle Funkhouser, Cisnero for at least the next two months, and replacing them with three non-roster invites to spring training and a fourth from Double-A.
When the Tigers lost Riley Greene last week for the foreseeable future, they quickly traded for Austin Meadows, an impact bat for the middle of the order. They could look for a similar deal for a reliever -- the Padres just acquired All-Star Taylor Rogers from the Twins -- but they're probably loath to raid the farm again after sacrificing Isaac Paredes in the Meadows deal. Instead, Al Avila and the Tigers could look to free agency.
Should they call Yusmeiro Petit? The 37-year-old righty has a 2.99 ERA over the last five seasons and might be coming off his best season yet when he finished in the top 10 percent of MLB pitchers in average exit velocity and the top four percent in hard-hit rate, via Baseball Savant. He doesn't throw hard, but who cares when you limit hard contact? Petit cost the A's just $2.5 million last year.
Should they call 36-year-old lefty Tony Watson? He posted a 2.96 ERA in 26 games with the Giants last season, right on par with a 2.90 ERA over his 11-year career. It's a bit higher (3.40) over his last five seasons, but Watson, who cost $3 million last year, is equally tough on lefties and righties and could provide some cover for Chafin, Detroit's key acquisition in the bullpen. And you've got a nice lefty duo when Chafin returns.
Should they call Trevor Rosenthal, again? A lot of teams are reportedly calling the former All-Star closer right now. The Tigers first took a flier on Rosenthal when he was coming off Tommy John in 2019 and likely regretted releasing him soon thereafter when he returned to form in 2020: 1.90 ERA, 38 K's in 23 2/3 innings. Shoulder and hip injuries cost Rosenthal another season last year and control remains an issue for the 31-year-old righty, but you can live with it when he's missing bats.
Heck, should they call journeyman Tommy Hunter? He missed most of last season with a back injury, but he touts a career 3.21 ERA as a reliever. He cost $2.25 million last season. How bout fellow 35-year-old righty Chaz Roe? He's coming off shoulder surgery, but he spent the last five seasons with the Rays -- a plus for any pitcher -- and posted a 3.68 ERA with 10.6 K/9.
The Tigers don't have to call any of these guys. And if they do, Petit and Watson might be the only two worth it. Chafin and Funkhouser should both return soon from the 10-day injured list, and ideally Cisnero will be back by the summer. In the meantime, Detroit can survive.
But you never know. Hamstring injuries (Chafin) tend to linger, and shoulder injuries (Funkhouser and Cisnero) can require more rehab than expected -- especially on the heels of a shortened spring training. The Tigers might be wise to get in front of it, especially with a line of heavy hitters looming in April. And if they all heal on time, a logjam of good relievers would hardly be a bad thing.
The Tigers went out and got Meadows because they're serious about competing this season, because they didn't want an injury to stand in their way, because they had better options than replacing Greene from within. If they have better options than replacing three of their top relievers with Jacob Barnes, Will Vest and Drew Hutchison, the Tigers should give serious thought to bringing one in.
