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5 Players Detroit Tigers Should Have Signed Over 2014-15 Offseason

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Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Sitting in third place in the AL Central with a record of 39-36, the Detroit Tigers are certainly in the mix, but they are not quite where fans hoped they would be at this point. Perhaps if the Tigers would have signed one or more of these five guys over the offseason they might be in better shape heading into July.

Sitting in third place in the AL Central with a record of 39-36, the Detroit Tigers are certainly in the mix, but they are not quite where fans hoped they would be at this point. Perhaps if the Tigers would have signed one or more of these five guys over the offseason they might be in better shape heading into July.

5. James Shields

5. James Shields Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Although it was pretty clear from the beginning that the Tigers were not going to give Max Scherzer the $200-plus million contract that he ultimately got from the Washington Nationals, they could have had James Shields for much less. Shields currently has a 7-2 record with a 4.24 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. He may not be having his best year from an ERA standpoint, but he is a proven workhorse, and he would have given the Tigers a chance to win on most days.

Although it was pretty clear from the beginning that the Tigers were not going to give Max Scherzer the $200-plus million contract that he ultimately got from the Washington Nationals, they could have had James Shields for much less. Shields currently has a 7-2 record with a 4.24 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. He may not be having his best year from an ERA standpoint, but he is a proven workhorse, and he would have given the Tigers a chance to win on most days.

4. Luke Gregerson

4. Luke Gregerson Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Although there were some rumors about Luke Gregerson possibly being a fit for the Tigers early in the offseason, the now 31-year-old ultimately signed with the Houston Astros, where he has taken over the closing duties and become a big part of the team's revamped bullpen. Seeing as how the Tigers could still use an eighth-inning man, which is a role Gregerson could have fulfilled, signing him may have indeed been a good idea.

Although there were some rumors about Luke Gregerson possibly being a fit for the Tigers early in the offseason, the now 31-year-old ultimately signed with the Houston Astros, where he has taken over the closing duties and become a big part of the team's revamped bullpen. Seeing as how the Tigers could still use an eighth-inning man, which is a role Gregerson could have fulfilled, signing him may have indeed been a good idea.

3. Pat Neshek

3. Pat Neshek Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Also signed by the Astros over the offseason, Pat Neshek would have been another good fit for the Tigers. Although he is not a particularly hard thrower, he can be very effective in the late innings and high-leverage situations. The 34-year-old currently has a 2.86 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP.

Also signed by the Astros over the offseason, Pat Neshek would have been another good fit for the Tigers. Although he is not a particularly hard thrower, he can be very effective in the late innings and high-leverage situations. The 34-year-old currently has a 2.86 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP.

2. Andrew Miller

2. Andrew Miller Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Although he is now on the 15-day DL, Andrew Miller has been absolutely terrific in his first year with the New York Yankees, posting a 1.03 ERA and a 0.68 WHIP while saving 17 games in as many opportunities. The 30-year-old would have been a tremendous addition to Detroit's bullpen.

Although he is now on the 15-day DL, Andrew Miller has been absolutely terrific in his first year with the New York Yankees, posting a 1.03 ERA and a 0.68 WHIP while saving 17 games in as many opportunities. The 30-year-old would have been a tremendous addition to Detroit's bullpen.

1. Francisco Liriano

1. Francisco Liriano Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Returning to the Pittsburgh Pirates on three-year, $39 million deal this offseason, Francisco Liriano has been an absolute bargain this year. Sure, he is only 4-6, but he currently has a 3.21 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP and a 1.9 fWAR. He would have been an excellent addition to the Tigers' starting rotation, which has been a problem for most of the year.

Returning to the Pittsburgh Pirates on three-year, $39 million deal this offseason, Francisco Liriano has been an absolute bargain this year. Sure, he is only 4-6, but he currently has a 3.21 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP and a 1.9 fWAR. He would have been an excellent addition to the Tigers' starting rotation, which has been a problem for most of the year.

Brad Faber is a writer for RantSports. Like him on Facebook.
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