Tigers right-hander Drew VerHagen will sign a one-year deal with the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, Chris McCosky of the Detroit News reports (Twitter links). Detroit has formally requested release waivers on VerHagen in order to facilitate the move, per a club announcement. The move drops the Tigers’ 40-man roster to a total of 39 players.
“It sounds like they are going to give me a great opportunity to start,” VerHagen tells McCosky (Twitter link). “I just felt like this is something cool and different and it will big financially, as well. I’m excited.”
VerHagen, 29, has spent his entire career in the Tigers’ organization. Originally drafted in the fourth round back in 2012, the 6’6″ righty has made a handful of starts with the Tigers since debuting in 2014 but has worked primarily out of the bullpen. VerHagen’s 5.11 ERA in 199 Major League innings doesn’t exactly stand out, but he’s notched a hearty 53.9 percent ground-ball rate at the game’s top level. Metrics like FIP (4.76), xFIP (4.50) and SIERA (4.29) all feel he’s been a fair sight better than his baseline ERA, which is perhaps unsurprising given that he’s played in front of some lackluster defenses as the Tigers have worked through their current rebuilding phase.
VerHagen’s time at the Triple-A level has gone much better. He’s appeared in parts of six seasons there, compiling a 3.97 earned run average with 7.2 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in 321 2/3 innings. He wouldn’t be the first pitcher to reinvent himself in Japan before returning to MLB in his early or mid 30s, so his results in NPB will at least be worth keeping an eye on next season.
Bet he can carve a niche out there. Good luck Drew!
Best of luck to the guy
why they always gave this guy another chance is beyond me
Because he has talent the great majority of us never had
1) Released twice, came back twice.
2) Still throws mid-90’s.
3) Not the toughest competition for that spot.
mmmmm…..ham
Best aaaa pitcher but sucked at key times
He’s seemed to have turned a corner in AAA in the last two seasons so I think he could be good for the Nippon Ham Fighters
Do they like to fight ham?
Sure he can make more money in Japan, but the Tigers, as the article states, NEED STARTERS! At the end of the year, when he was healthy, he and Norris were tag teaming to pitch some solid baseball. I don’t care about his age, because any rebound FA they sign is likely just as old, just as big a question mark, just as likely to not be around when they start winning again, just as likely to be bounced from the rotation when young talent finally starts arriving, but will be more expensive. Don’t expect me to get excited when they bring back Porcello.
This is tied to yesterday’s trade for Agrazel. He’s similar to Drew and 5 yrs younger.
Yeah having Norris open for a few innings and then go to verhagen for a few innings seemed like a good idea. Wouldn’t be surprised if they try the same thing this year. Maybe with Burroughs or skubal eventually
Hi I am a big fun of Fighters in Japan and just heard the news we will have Drew for next season. Seems to me I should not have high expectation….do you guys agree?
You will be happy with his performance.
Hiroko, what exactly is a “Ham Fighter”?
Nippon Ham is a name of company who owns the team financially. Fighters is a team name.
What product does Nippon Ham produce or sell, ham?
It’s a division of NH Food Group, in mainly Asia/Australia that produces ham as well as beef, poultry and dairy products.
Thanks
https://www.nipponham.co.jp/sp/seq/
they also makes this 🙂
Looks like the acquisition of Agraval puts the Tiger 40 man at 39 again. I saw somewhere that they have a full 40, but I don’t think so.
Tigers have the #1 pick in the Rule 5 Draft in 2 weeks. Surely there is someone out there that can help this lowly franchise. My guess, another relief pitcher. I do not see any kind of bat out there in minor league free agentville that they could hide on this roster for a full season. Tigers have so little offense it would be hard to carry another Victor Reyes like they did in ’17 for a whole season.