The Tigers have rounded out their rotation with a former division foe.
Detroit has signed right-handed pitcher Michael Pineda to a one-year, $5.5 million deal with an extra $2.5 million in incentives, per Jon Heyman.
The 33-year-old spent the last three seasons with the Twins where he posted a 3.80 ERA in 53 games, which ranked 12th among AL starters.
The Tigers had been searching for another veteran for the rotation after signing Eduardo Rodriguez to a $77 million deal before the start of the lockout.
On top of the additions of Javy Baez, catcher Tucker Barnhart and reliever Andrew Chafin, GM Al Avila told reporters Saturday the Tigers' offseason to-do list is complete: "We identified our needs, we went out and I think we were able to acquire (everything) we needed."
Pineda figures to slot in as the club's fourth starter, behind Rodriguez, Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal and in front of Matt Manning. His arrival will move Tyler Alexander to the bullpen.
Durability has been an issue for Pineda over his eight-year career. He hasn't made 30-plus starts since 2016. The incentives in his contract are naturally tied to innings pitched.
But if he can give the Tigers 25-plus starts with a sub-4.00 ERA in 2022, he's certainly worth the cost.
