The Detroit Tigers have signed pitcher Jordan Zimmermann to a five-year, $110 million contract, making one of the first big moves of MLB free agency. According to CBS Sports, Jon Heyman reports that sources confirmed that Zimmermann is signing and that the deal will be done "pending completion of a physical."
Zimmermann comes in after going 13-10 with a 3.66 ERA for the Nationals in 33 starts last season and he has been an All-Star two times in his career. Free agency has started off slow compared to last season and Zimmermann is the first player this offseason to sign a major contract. Zimmermann will likely slot in as the second or third starter along with Justin Verlander and Anibal Sanchez for the Tigers.
Zimmermann is 29 and was considered to be one of the top free agent pitchers on the market behind David Price, Zack Greinke and Johnny Cueto. Zimmermann was tied for the lead in wins in the National League in 2013 and he previously has thrown one no-hitter, the first pitcher in Nationals team history to to do it. The Tigers traded David Price during the season in 2015 and Zimmermann can help replace his production in the rotation.
The Tigers starting rotation struggled with consistency last season and the team was ranked worst in the American League in ERA for starting pitchers. Zimmermann rejected the qualifying offer from the Nationals this offseason, which means the Tigers will give up a draft pick for signing the pitcher. Yahoo Sports reports that the Tigers will give up their second-round pick, as their first round pick is a protected draft pick.
Zimmermann previously had Tommy John surgery earlier in his career, but he has been able to stay healthy since having the procedure in 2009. Zimmermann has been able to make 25 starts in each season after the surgery and in 2015 he set a career high with 33 starts.
