Former Atlanta Braves starter Julio Teheran Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Longtime Atlanta Braves starter Julio Teheran will head to Detroit Tigers Spring Training.
Rather than potentially opting for a Braves reunion, Teheran will be added to the litany of potential starters vying for a rotation spot in MoTown. Teheran is far from the pitcher he was at his peak, pitching to a brutal 10.05 ERA last season in 10 appearances.
Teheran last made an All-Star appearance in 2016, so it’s been awhile. He’s no longer the former Braves Opening Day starter, instead heading to Los Angeles last season and failing miserably in a short stint with the Angels.
In Detroit, he’ll compete with a combination of up-and-coming prospects such as Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal and Matt Manning, along with savvy veterans like Spencer Turnbull, Michael Fulmer, Michael Boyd and Jose Ureña. It’s a crowded room, and one where nothing will be guaranteed based on name recognition.
Where does Julio Teheran fit in Detroit?
That’s a tough question. The Tigers are nearing the end of their rebuild, finally, and thus have added some veterans to go with their young group. It makes for an intriguing fit, and while the Tigers are likely still a year away, taking a flier on someone like Teheran makes sense for a number of reasons.
First, maybe Teheran produces like the starting pitcher of old. If that’s the case, he provides a positive influence for Mize, Skubal and Manning, all while being a midseason trade chip for a front office always looking to upgrade their farm system.