11:11am: In addition to the Tigers, Heyman reports (via Twitter) that the Orioles, Rangers and Reds also attended Lohse’s recent showcase. The O’s and Rangers would presumably also be looking at Lohse as experienced depth, though Baltimore’s rotation is unsettled enough that Lohse could have an opportunity at regular innings. Cincinnati, meanwhile, is going with a very inexperienced group of starting candidates so Lohse could be a fit as a veteran innings eater.
9:33am: The Tigers “are emphasizing depth” in the starting rotation and have some interest in veteran righty Kyle Lohse, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports (Twitter link). Lohse is a client of Scott Boras, who has a well-documented connection with Tigers owner Mike Ilitch.
The Marlins were the only other club connected to the 37-year-old this winter, and the quiet rumor mill probably isn’t a surprise given Lohse’s age and his rough 2015 season. He posted a 5.85 ERA and 6.4 K/9 over 152 1/3 innings with the Brewers, a performance that cost him his rotation job. The largest issue seemed to be a 15.3% homer rate that was well above Lohse’s 10% career average, though a .314 BABIP and 68.7% strand rate also added to Lohse’s misfortune. While his ERA indicators (5.12 FIP, 4.48 xFIP, 4.43 SIERA) weren’t particularly impressive, they show that Lohse’s 5.85 ERA was at least a bit misleading.
Lohse is probably available on a minor league deal at this point, and he could provide some veteran depth for a rotation that has had a couple of injury question marks. Anibal Sanchez recently pitched his first outing of camp on Monday after battling triceps inflammation this spring, and Daniel Norris recently left a start due to tightness in his lower back. Justin Verlander, Jordan Zimmermann, Sanchez and Mike Pelfrey are penciled in as Detroit’s top four starters, with Shane Greene, Matt Boyd and Buck Farmer all battling Norris for the fifth starter’s job (and potentially a spot outing for Sanchez if he isn’t able to make his first start of the regular season).
I’m surprised no one took a flier yet.
3.28 ERA, 3.80 FIP, and a 116 ERA+ from 2011-2014.
I agree, one year incentive laden contract should be good for most teams.
I would love to see my Cards get him. Even with future HOFers Wainwright, Wacha, Leake and borderline HOFers Martinez and Garcia, I feel we could use the depth.
Going to his level isn’t helping..
I have no idea what you’re talking about hehe
It’s totally the same guy that made a new account as a cardinals fan
I agree with aprogie, pretty sure it’s just the same guy
Little early on the Bigpapi HOF reference to that rotation. You currently have one that can be pencilled in right now in Waino. Leake is not a given and Wacha has only pitched 353 innings.
Good! The Tigers are a veteran team. They probably need the depth more than others, especially with most of their prospects in Single A ball.
Had an ERA over 6.3 as a starter in 2015. He was hit hard and often. Not interested unless Detroit can get a small Minor League deal with lots of incentives
I would rather develop one of the prospects. Boyd, Fulmer, Greene, and Ryan are all better options than Lohse.
I agree, Tigers should pass on him.
Lohse is probably done, but darn it Halos could not use him with injuries to Weaver and Wilson.
Not to sound like a huge homer but I hope the O’s get him. Gonzalez is really struggling this spring so if he continues struggling they could put Lohse in the rotation and send Gonzalez to AAA. This way they wouldn’t have to rely on the AAA starters to fill the MLB rotation.
They really could use him on an incentive minor league deal. The Os have a bunch of question marks and could certainly buses some veteran insurance.