Report: Tigers want veteran arm, showing interest in Taijuan Walker
After flirting with contention for part of the shortened 2020 season, the Detroit Tigers may be ready to add some pieces this winter.
Detroit is one of several teams showing interest in free-agent right-hander Taijuan Walker, a source told Jon Morosi of MLB.com.
Walker hit free agency following a solid bounce-back season that included a brilliant September with the Toronto Blue Jays. After joining the Blue Jays in a deadline trade from the Seattle Mariners, Walker crafted a 1.37 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with 25 strikeouts over six starts to help Toronto grab the final AL playoff spot.
All told, the 28-year-old posted a 2.70 ERA, 4.56 FIP, and 1.16 WHIP while averaging 8.4 strikeouts per nine innings over 11 starts split between the Mariners and Blue Jays. It was Walker's first full campaign since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2018.
The Tigers are focused on adding at least one veteran starter this winter, according to Morosi, and Walker could fit the bill given the timeline of their rebuild. As a unit, Detroit's starters ranked 29th in WAR this past season, trailing only the Boston Red Sox, according to FanGraphs. Walker might also come cheaper than some of his free-agent peers.
Detroit could face competition for Walker's services from the Blue Jays, who made a good impression during his brief stint with the club.