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Zimmermann, Tigers reach $110 million, five-year deal
Posted On Nov 30 2015
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He may not be David Price or Zack Greinke, but you can argue the point that Zimmermann is the third best starter on the free agent market.
CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reports that the Tigers and Jordan Zimmermann have agreed to terms on a contract.
The Red Sox have long had interest in the 29-year-old Zimmermann, who is coming off a 2015 season in which he went 13-10 with a 3.66 ERA.
Zimmermann should bolster the Tigers’ pitching and help them regain their contending ways. Wilson’s entire 11-year major-league career, six of those seasons spent as a starter, have come since his August 2003 surgery. I think this signing will be beneficial to both sides and that the Tigers will get some great games out of Zimmermann, especially in the year ahead.
First off, let’s cover the why Zimmermann is a good fit for the Tigers.
The Tigers were expected to sign an above-average starting pitcher this offseason in an effort to bolster a rotation that was filled with more questions than answers.
Zimmermann threw 296 pitches above 94 m.p.h. this past season. This statement wouldn’t be an issue if the Tigers were a rebuilding club, but the reality is that Detroit is going for World Series glory. He returned in just 12 months, but was on a strict innings and pitch count in 2010, when he started seven games in the majors after making 10 minor league rehab starts. The previous year, he went 14-5 with a 2.66 ERA.
FOX Sports said the deal is expected to be for five years and roughly $110 million.
Because Zimmermann was extended and rejected the $15.8 million qualifying offer from the Nationals, they will receive a draft pick from the Tigers for signing the pitcher. He has thrown over 190 innings in each of the last four seasons, with two All-Star appearances to his name.
Price, Max Scherzer, and Justin Verlander gave Detroit three Cy Young award winners; Anibal Sanchez was the 2013 ERA champion and had a no-hitter under his belt; and Rick Porcello was in the midst of a break-out campaign.
