Tigers sign Ross to 1-year, $5.75M contract
The Detroit Tigers added another veteran pitcher Monday by signing right-hander Tyson Ross to a one-year contract worth a reported $5.75 million.
Bonus clauses in Ross' contract can raise the deal's total value to $6 million.
Tyson Ross: 5.75M plus 100K if on opening roster, 100K if on May 1 roster, 100K if on June 1 roster. #tigers
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 10, 2018
Ross split his 2018 season between the San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals, crafting a 4.15 ERA (93 ERA+) and 1.30 WHIP while averaging 7.3 strikeouts per nine innings over 31 total appearances. He was a starter in San Diego, but was moved to the bullpen after the Cardinals claimed him off waivers in August.
In Detroit, Ross will likely move back into the rotation on a team that's not expected to compete. The Tigers are likely hoping that both Ross and Matt Moore, who they signed to a one-year deal earlier this winter, will perform well enough to be traded for prospects at this season's trade deadline.
Ross was an All-Star with the Padres in 2014 and looked to be emerging as an ace before injuries cost him almost two full seasons. For his career, the 31-year-old owns a career 43-65 record with a 3.95 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and 791 strikeouts to 370 walks across 869 1/3 innings with the Padres, Cardinals, and Texas Rangers.