Detroit Tigers Close to Signing 2 Free Agents

The Detroit Tigers are trying to make a splash this offseason and kick start some retooling. More specifically within their pitching staff as their rotation was one of the worst in baseball last season. Turns out they have been talking to a couple of free agents and are getting closer to putting pen to paper.

According to Jon Morosi and Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Tigers have held discussions with right-handers Jon Gray and Anthony DeSclafani.

Gray who has been in Colorado with the Rockies for almost a decade is considered one of the better second-tier starters on the market. The 30-year-old righty owns a career 4.59 ERA, which considering he pitches at Coors Field is potentially inflated. Gray has struck out 849 career batters across 829.1 innings.

DeSclafani had a career season with the San Francisco Giants in 2021 and may be the best pitcher of the second-tier free-agent options. He's 31, and posted a MLB leading two shutouts in 2021. DeSclafani pitched to a 3.17 ERA last season and while he may not blow up radar guns, is capable of cranking it up and uses his secondary pitches as effectively as anyone.

Keep an eye on the Tigers, these two won't be the only free agents the team talks to this winter, but at this point appear to be favorites on their wish list.

Source: #Tigers showing early interest in free agent RHP Jon Gray, who was not tendered a qualifying offer by #Rockies — and therefore isn’t attached to draft pick compensation. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 11, 2021

Tigers are interested in Anthony DeSclafani (and presumably many other starting pitchers)
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 11, 2021

#SFGiants talked today to the agents for Brandon Belt and Anthony DeSclafani. Ultimately they’d like to retain both, likely on multiyear deals. Belt has the $18.4M qualifying offer in hand but seems very unlikely to take it off 2 outstanding seasons.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 11, 2021