The Tigers have released righty Joba Chamberlain, the club announced. The veteran reliever was recently designated for assignment.
Chamberlain signed with the Tigers for just $1MM this offseason and was installed in a set-up role. But he was unable to repeat a fairly productive 2014 campaign, working to a 4.09 ERA over 22 frames before being cut loose.
The 29-year-old has posted a useful strikeout-to-walk ratio of just over 3:1 (6.1 K/9 against 2.0 BB/9), but he’s been victimized steadily by the long ball. As things stand, he’s permitted a 21.7% HR/FB rate, with 2.05 long balls leaving the yard per nine innings.
It would be surprising if Chamberlain does not get another look at the big leagues in relatively short order, though he may be forced to take a minor league deal. His average fastball velocity (93.4 mph) is an exact match for last year’s mark, and he has been victimized by a .360 BABIP-against, leaving some room for optimism.
Hope he finds at least a minor league deal quickly. Good guy who also owns up to his bad outings. As a Tigers fan, I wish him luck on the open market.
Twins should consider him on a minor league deal.
Would like to see the Braves get him.
Another young pitcher mishandled by Yankees Organization.
True that. Hopes he lands with the Orioles. High reward, low risk signing.
Just find a home stadium that suppresses homers, and you’ll be fine, Joba.
As a Giants fan, a Husker fan, and an graduate of the same high school as Joba went to, I hope for everything the Giants sign him. Doubt they will… but boy, it would be nice.
I keep forgetting what a launching pad Comerica National Park is. If its out in Comerica, it’s out in every city but San Diego. Joba has two pitches: a straight fastball, and a swirling change up. Both are HITTABLE!
Just glad that they released him instead of trying to send him to the minors. The Tigers have wasted enough time on him. He does not have a plus pitch, and has fallen in love with his spinning change up. He has been one of the reasons I keep asking Dave to improve the bullpen.
I think he will go to Atlanta, just a matter of time or possibly a return to the Yanks