MLB Insider: Tigers to sign intriguing veteran left-handed reliever

MLB Insider: Tigers to sign intriguing veteran left-handed reliever.

Free-agent reliever Chasen Shreve and the Detroit Tigers are in agreement on a minor-league contract, according to a source familiar with the deal. Shreve can make up to $2 million if he’s in the majors.

On Jan. 7, Tigers’ president of baseball operations told reporters that the team was “hard at work” in search of a left-handed bullpen arm. “It may not be a major-league deal, but it may be someone we’re excited about that we’re going to bring to camp,” Harris said.

Shreve, 32, fits that description. The left-hander has extensive major-league experience, pitching nine seasons with the Atlanta Braves, New York Yankeees, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates and posting a 3.87 ERA in 311.1 career innings. He posted a 6.49 ERA in 25 games with the Mets last season and was designated for assignment on July 5 to make room for Max Scherzer.

In 2022, the Tigers bullpen ranked eighth in MLB with a 3.43 ERA. Three of the top pitchers from that group – Gregory Soto, Joe Jimenez and Andrew Chafin – are no longer with the organization, with Soto recently being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. The Tigers currently don’t have an established closer on the roster, though Alex Lange is the best internal option for the role.

But there will be meaningful innings available and the Tigers believe that Shreve can provide those, should he get closer to his 2021 form when he posted a 3.20 ERA in 56.1 innings with the Pirates. It’s a worthwhile addition and on a minor-league deal, comes at virtually no risk. Other left-handed relievers available include Chafin, Brad Hand, Will Smith and Matt Moore, among others.