The Detroit Tigers have made a significant addition to their roster by signing right-handed reliever Tommy Kahnle to a one-year contract worth $7.75 million. This acquisition comes at a crucial time for the Tigers, who are looking to bolster their bullpen after a remarkable performance in the previous season that secured them a spot in the postseason. Kahnle’s signing, which is contingent upon a successful physical examination, could be a linchpin for a team that experienced both triumph and adversity last year.
Kahnle, now 35, had a productive season with the New York Yankees, achieving an impressive 2.11 ERA over 42.2 innings pitched. His consistency over the past two years has been notable; he boasts a stellar 2.38 ERA, ranking him among the top relievers in Major League Baseball for pitchers who have logged at least 80 innings. This consistent performance makes Kahnle an enticing addition to the Tigers’ relief corps.
His unique pitching style further enhances his value. Kahnle is distinguished by his unusual approach of predominantly utilizing his changeup, a pitch he deployed an astonishing 73.1% of the time last season. This percentage is nearly 20 points higher than any other pitcher, showcasing his willingness to go against conventional wisdom in the sport. Notably, during the 2024 postseason, Kahnle famously threw 61 consecutive changeups, demonstrating both his confidence in the pitch and his ability to disrupt opposing hitters’ timing.
Despite his impressive stats, Kahnle’s contract comes with the understanding of his injury history, which has plagued him in previous seasons. When fully healthy, he combines his changeup with a fastball that reaches speeds of up to 94 mph, in addition to a slider that he uses less frequently. His ability to control the game was evident last season, as he struck out 46 batters while only issuing 19 walks, although he did allow five home runs. Over his ten-year career, Kahnle’s stats reflect a capable reliever: he holds a 3.47 ERA and has notched 452 strikeouts in 373.2 innings.
Kahnle’s signing is a strategic maneuver by manager A.J. Hinch, who will benefit from his changeup arsenal, particularly given that none of the current relievers rely heavily on the pitch. With a rotation that struggled with injuries late last season, Hinch had to lean heavily on his bullpen, which recorded a league-high 141.2 innings pitched in September and compiled a commendable 2.41 ERA in that stretch. The Tigers concluded the 2024 season strongly, finishing 33-13 after being under .500 earlier, which included a remarkable elimination of the American League West champions, the Houston Astros.
Kahnle’s addition is part of a broader trend in Major League Baseball, where several notable relief pitchers are changing teams this off-season. The Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets have also strengthened their rosters with significant signings, indicating a competitive market for relief arms. With other talented options still available, the Tigers’ management may not be done seeking additional reinforcements as they aim for a deeper playoff run in the upcoming season. Tommy Kahnle’s signing exemplifies a proactive approach by the Tigers as they prepare to build on their recent successes.