Verlander excited for 'big' Zimmermann signing
From one All-Star to another, the Detroit Tigers' latest move comes with Justin Verlander's seal of approval.
Following Detroit's reported acquisition of Jordan Zimmermann on a five-year, $110-million deal, Verlander took to Twitter to offer his quick take on the biggest free-agent signing of the offseason.
2 n's at the end. #Zimmermann #autocorrectfail 😳😂
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) November 29, 2015
The Zimmermann signing is the third significant move made this month by Tigers general manager Al Avila, who also secured closer Francisco Rodriguez and outfielder Cameron Maybin in separate trades. Zimmermann - widely considered one of the four top tier starters available this winter - bolsters a rotation that includes Verlander, Anibal Sanchez, and young lefty Daniel Norris.
"Happy the rumors were true! Welcome to #Detroit @JZimmermann27!! #GoTigersGo," Verlander tweeted late Sunday, despite no confirmation of the signing by the club or player.
Related: Tigers are early offseason winners after trio of upgrades
With four-fifths of the Tigers' rotation now set, the attention now turns to learning how to spell their new teammate's name.
@DanielNorris18 2 Ns. My b
— Daniel Norris (@DanielNorris18) November 29, 2015
The acquisition of Zimmermann helps address a glaring need for the last-place Tigers, who missed the playoffs for the first time since 2010 after losing aces Max Scherzer (free agency) and David Price (traded to Toronto) before and during the 2015 season.