On Friday, major league teams declined to tender contracts to 39 players held on their 40-man rosters. Among them, was as least one solid option for the Detroit Tigers this offseason. Starting pitcher Matt Shoemaker fits every criteria they’re looking for in an acquisition this winter. And crucially, there are specific reasons why Shoemaker may be open to a deal as well.
The 32-year-old right-hander was never supposed to be a major league success story. He went undrafted out of Eastern Michigan University back in 2008. The Angels picked him up as a free agent, and Shoemaker spent five long years in their farm system trying to stand out beyond his modest pedigree.