According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Detroit Tigers have agreed to terms with right-handed starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann, pending a physical.
According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, the deal is expected to be for five years and close to $110 million.
Zimmermann, 29, a two-time All-Star, has a 70-50 record with a 3.32 ERA in a 178 career starts with the Washington Nationals. In 201 2/3 innings this past season, Zimmermann posted a 3.66 ERA with a 164 strikeouts.
Tigers Agree To Terms With Jordan Zimmermann
The Detroit Tigers were looking to add a starting pitcher to go along with Justin Verlander and Anibal Sanchez after finishing last in the AL Central with a 74-88 record. The Tigers would still like to add another starting pitcher while they have one of their younger pitchers in Daniel Norris, Matt Boyd and Shane Green compete for the fifth spot in the rotation during Spring Training.
In a deep free-agent starting pitcher market, Jordan Zimmermann is the first big name to sign a contract. The market is led by some big names, such as Zack Greinke, David Price and Johnny Cueto, with several second-tier starting pitchers available, including Jeff Samardzija, Wei-Yin Chen, Ian Kennedy, Mike Leake and many others. J.A. Happ signed with the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday.
The Washington Nationals tried to extend Jordan Zimmermann at some point during the season, but there haven’t been any reports to suggest that the two sides tried to work something out lately. However, the Nationals did make a qualifying offer to Zimmermann and will receive a draft pick from the Tigers for compensation.
On the final day of the 2014 season, against the Miami Marlins, Zimmermann became the first pitcher in Nationals history to throw a no-hitter. Jordan Zimmermann is the Nationals’ all-time leader in wins, innings, strikeouts, and games started.
In his first year as the Detroit Tigers general manager, Al Avila has been extremely aggressive in bolstering the Tigers roster, acquiring closer Francisco Rodriguez and outfielder Cameron Maybin in a pair of trades.
Main Photo: Aug 19, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (27) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
