Free-agent right-hander Mike Pelfrey is close to signing a deal with the Detroit Tigers, MLive reports.
MLive says Pelfrey was spotted in Detroit Thursday and will likely sign a one-year, $8 million deal once he passes a physical. He’s being penciled in as Detroit’s No. 4 starter.
In three seasons with the Twins, Pelfrey posted a a 4.94 ERA in 64 starts. His best season with the Twins was last season, where he finishd 6-11 with a 4.26 ERA.
Tigers writer called Mike Pelfrey an "innings eater." He completed 6 innings in 27 of 64 starts for Twins. Failed to go 5 innings 19 times.
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) December 4, 2015
Aaron Gleeman of Hardball Talk explained why Twins fans should be happy to know the Twins will face Pelfrey a few times next season.
“Pelfrey is 6-foot-7, 250 pounds, and throws hard, but because he’s basically a one-pitch pitcher he’s never missed many bats and averaged a measly 5.2 strikeouts per nine innings for the Twins. His control is also shaky, with 3.1 walks per nine innings, which means he’s constantly having to wriggle out of jams and racks up high pitch counts. His career record is 61-81 with a 4.52 ERA and he’s posted a sub-4.00 ERA once through age 31.”
The top of Detroit’s rotation, however, is pretty stacked. Justin Verland, Jordan Zimmerman, whom the Tigers just signed to a $110 million deal and Anibal Sanchez form a nice trio at the top of the rotation.
