Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
On Thursday night, the Detroit Tigers began a four-game set with the Los Angeles Angels. Taking the mound for Detroit was 24-year-old Buck Farmer, who was recently called up from Triple-A Toledo to take the rotation spot of the now-injured Kyle Lobstein.
Heading into the start, there were plenty of reasons for Tigers fans to be excited. While Farmer was roughed up a bit in his brief cup of coffee with the Tigers last season, Baseball America named him as one of the top prospects in the organization over the winter, and he was off to a fantastic start in Toledo, going 5-1 with a 2.98 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP over nine starts.
Unfortunately, however, the Angels’ offense was able to get to him. Farmer ended his night after going five innings, allowing nine hits, seven earned runs, one walk and recording only one strikeout. He also gave up two home runs.
Of course, it is only one bad outing, but the bigger issue has been Detroit’s rotation as a whole. As of Friday morning, Tigers starters have a 4.15 ERA, which ranks 17th in MLB. Throughout the Tigers’ recent string of AL Central dominance, the starting rotation has always been one of their greatest strengths, but it has been a different story this year.
One of the biggest concerns right now is Anibal Sanchez, who has gone 3-5 with a 6.12 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP over his first 10 starts. Considering the fact that he won the AL ERA title just two years ago, his early-season struggles have certainly been alarming. Although Shane Greene has been lights-out at times, he has been on a little bit of an up-and-down ride this season as well.
Alfredo Simon was placed on the bereavement list earlier this week, but it should be noted that he has actually been one of the Tigers’ best pitchers, going 5-2 with a 2.67 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP over nine starts. It still remains to be seen if he can keep it up, however. After all, he had a great first half with the Cincinnati Reds last year, but the wheels fell off after the All-Star break.
To put it simply, it is a good thing the Tigers acquired David Price last summer, and it is tough to say where they would be without him. While it is possible that Justin Verlander could still give this team a major shot in the arm upon his return, that is not necessarily something the Tigers can count on.
If the rotation doesn’t turn it around within the next few weeks, it may be time for GM Dave Dombrowski to begin thinking about dealing for another starting pitcher. With names such as Scott Kazmir, Johnny Cueto and Cole Hamels already being tossed around as trade candidates, the Tigers should have options to choose from if they decide to go that route.
The question, though, is whether or not they possess the trade chips that would be required.
Brad Faber is a Senior Writer and Sabermetrics Columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Brad_Faber, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on LinkedIn or Google.
