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3 trade targets for the Colorado Rockies from the Detroit Tigers

By Noah Yingling

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 29: Starting pitcher Michael Fulmer #32 of the Detroit Tigers delivers to home plate against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of an interleague game at Coors Field on August 29, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 29: Starting pitcher Michael Fulmer #32 of the Detroit Tigers delivers to home plate against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of an interleague game at Coors Field on August 29, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Michael Fulmer
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 03: Michael Fulmer #32 of the Detroit Tigers throws a pitch against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on October 03, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /

Detroit Tigers reliever Michael Fulmer could provide the Colorado Rockies with some bullpen help

The Detroit Tigers were considering moving Michael Fulmer at the trades deadline in 2021 after he pitched well in relief to start the season. They didn’t trade him but he still finished the season strong. But if they traded him in July or trade him this offseason, it would be nothing in comparison to what they would have gotten for him in 2017.

In 2016, Fulmer made his debut and was one of the best pitchers in the American League. He won the AL Rookie of the Year Award and came in 10th in AL Cy Young Award voting after he posted a 3.06 ERA (139 ERA+) in 26 starts.

From Opening Day through July in 2017, Fulmer made 21 starts and had a 3.59 ERA (3.45 FIP) but the Tigers did not trade him despite some great offers. They could have had Javier Báez, who was with the reigning World Series Champion Chicago Cubs at the time, or Alex Bregman, as the eventual World Series Champion Houston Astros were willingly to give Bregman up for Fulmer.

That didn’t happen and less than a week after the trade deadline, Fulmer went on the IL with elbow issues. He was activated after 10 days … only to reaggravate it a few starts later. He was having elbow surgery by the end of August.

In 2018, he was out for a good chunk of the season due to an oblique injury and a torn meniscus. He missed all of 2019 due to Tommy John surgery and pitched terribly (8.78 ERA in 10 starts) so he became a reliever in 2021.

In 52 games (four starts), Fulmer was great as he had a 2.97 ERA with a 3.46 FIP, a 143 ERA+, and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of more than 3.5:1. He also had 14 saves.

When Fulmer pitches well, his groundball rate has been higher (it was above 45 percent in 2016-2017 and 2021 but below that in 2018 and 2020) so he could be a good, backend relief option for the Rockies.

Next. 7 trade targets from the Guardians. dark

Under the current CBA, he will be a free agent next offseason so the Tigers, despite them trying to contend, could still try to get something for him if they don’t want to or don’t think that they can extend him.

Our series of Rockies trade targets will continue tomorrow with the Kansas City Royals.

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