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Jordan Zimmermann could pull the Tigers out of a rut
Sunday’s Say Hey, Baseball includes Jordan Zimmermann’s talks with the Tigers, a sensible J.A. Happ signing, and the day Al Leiter racked up 163 pitches. Subscribe for your daily Say Hey!
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Starting pitchers have been on the front burners of the hot stove so far this offseason, from top-tier performers like David Price and Zack Greinke to slightly cheaper alternatives like Johnny Cueto and Jordan Zimmermann. On Saturday night, Jon Morosi and Ken Rosenthal reported that 29-year-old Jordan Zimmermann was engaged in serious contract discussions with the Tigers. The right-hander rejected his qualifying offer from the Nationals earlier this month, and is projected to garner a six- to seven-month contract in free agency.
Zimmermann started a career-high 33 games for the Nationals in 2015, going 13-10 with a 3.66 ERA and 3.75 FIP. After the loss of David Price, the Tigers are hurting for front-end starters with a modicum of consistency, especially considering the time Justin Verlander and Anibal Sanchez logged on the disabled list last season. Not only is Zimmermann a relatively affordable choice for the Tigers, but his consistency and dominant performance could help pull them out of last place in the AL Central.
Considering the fickle nature of trade rumors, it’s clear that the Tigers are far from Zimmermann’s only suitors. The Cubs and Dodgers also have been linked to the right-hander, and both teams could use the extra depth in their starting rotations. Since the Dodgers are nearing their luxury tax threshold, an elite starter like Price or Greinke might be out of their reach. Zimmermann won’t break the bank, and he could ease the workload of heavy lifters like Clayton Kershaw and NL Cy Young award winner Jake Arrieta. For any club hoping to contend in 2016, however, Zimmermann’s cost-effective contract, good health, and top-shelf status should attract plenty of interest.
- David Price is a highly sought-after free agent this winter, but his contract might be too expensive for some contenders.
- You can add J.A. Happ to the list of ex-Pirates who turned their career around in Pittsburgh before leaving for another franchise.
- Did the Blue Jays receive the mediocre J.A. Happ of the 2015 Mariners or the standout J.A. Happ of the 2015 Pirates?
- According to Beyond the Box Score’s Shawn Brody, it’s the latter. J.A. Happ won’t have to clear a high bar to be a valuable asset to the Blue Jays’ organization.
- Robinson Cano is not returning to the Yankees, but if he did, here’s what his career might look like.
- Yovani Gallardo looks like an affordable upgrade for the Orioles’ starting rotation.
- The Phillies will get final say over the fate of minor league ballpark Campbell’s Field, even though they probably have no use for it.
- The Indians are building a team of veteran stop-gaps, and Shane Victorino fits the bill perfectly.
- It’s not too early to get excited about A’s prospect Franklin Barreto.
- Jose Quintana could keep the Cubs competitive through the next couple of seasons, if only they can manage to convince the White Sox to part with him.
- Remember the day Al Leiter tossed 163 pitches in a single game?
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