Detroit Tigers: Is This Man the Answer to their Fifth Starter Woes?

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Detroit Tigers sit atop the American League Central Division standings with the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox lurking in the shadows, both four games behind.

Despite an offense that has been anemic for some stretches, the most glaring hole for this Tigers team has to be the fifth starter's spot in the rotation. Whether it has been veterans, like Dontrelle Willis (7.49 ERA) and Jeremy Bonderman (13.50) or a youngster from the minors, Alfredo Figaro (7.36), no one thrust into that spot has shown even a glimpse of consistent effectiveness in that role.

With Figaro being demoted after his lackluster start in Houston over the weekend (6 IP, 8 runs allowed), southpaw Luke French will stake his claim to a spot in the rotation this Friday at Minnesota. French, who had a brief stint with the big club in May working in relief, has pitched well at Triple-A Toledo, sporting a 4-4 record and 2.98 ERA in 13 starts.

Manager Jim Leyland has stated that he could mix and match Figaro and French in the fifth spot and normally I wouldn't have a problem with that. Not with the way Justin Verlander (8-3, 3.40), Edwin Jackson (6-4, 2.49) and rookie Rick Porcello (8-5, 3.90) have pitched in the first half of the year.

If French can come up and succeed, which by my definition would be six-seven innings and allowing two-three earned runs, it would be a shot in the arm for the staff as a whole. That he is a left-hander is just gravy and is why I was disappointed to see the D-Train fail time and time again.

The problem is the fourth pitcher in the rotation, Armando Galarraga (4-7, 5.65) who has won only one time since April 26, is performing just as horribly. Opposing batters are hitting almost 80 points higher, .302/.226 and are sporting a .903 OPS compared to last year's .704 against the 27 year old righty.

For a team contending for a division title and an owner willing to spend a little more coin to help that team along, I feel Detroit should make a play for a veteran starter.

As of now, a month from the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, there aren't a whole lot of teams who are sure-fire sellers. Without getting into teams within the AL Central, who can't realistically be considered possible trade partners anyway, I can see Baltimore, Oakland, Washington, Pittsburgh, San Diego, and Arizona as being potential options.

After scouring those teams rosters, I can't help but be intrigued by Doug Davis of Arizona. Davis, a 33 year old lefty, is in the final year of a three year, $22 million dollar contract with the D-Backs, a team notorious for not re-signing their veteran free agents.

Davis' record sits at 3-8, but is 12th in the NL in ERA at 3.28. If not for a lack of offense in his starts, his record should be at or above .500. Despite a career record of 84-91, he brings the ability to pitch late into games and keep the score close, two things in short supply for the Tigers fifth starters.

Also his long delivery, deliberate approach on the mound and mix of pitches could serve as a nice contrast to Verlander and Jackson who tend to work quickly and bring higher numbers on the radar gun.

Arizona has already begun listening to offers for Davis, as Milwaukee and their assistant GM Gord Ash are inquiring about Davis and 2B Felipe Lopez. But while the price may be too high at this point, and rightfully so from the D-Backs perspective, I believe Davis will be scooped up well before the July 31 deadline.

As Tigers fans, what do you think they should do as the trade deadline approaches?

Stand pat and go with in-house options or make a deal? Or for that matter, skip acquiring a pitcher and trade for a bat?

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