The first big free agent is off the board, as the Tigers have reached agreement with star right-hander Jordan Zimmermann, CBS Sports has learned.The deal is pending a physical.Fox Sports first reported the Tigers were in serious talks with Zimmermann late Saturday night.Zimmermann becomes the first front-line pitcher to do a deal in a market stocked with excellent starters. He is expected to sign a five-year contract, worth $110 million. Fox Sports and ESPN first reported the terms of the deal.Zimmermann was ranked No. 8 in my list of top 50 free agents, ranked by dollars and projections.
The Tigers have been trying to upgrade their staff and may look for a second starter. They previously enhanced their bullpen by trading for closer Francisco Rodriguez.Tigers owner Mike Ilitch never has been afraid to spend, and this winter is going to be no different. Ilitch has been to the World Series twice but is looking for his first title. Uncharacteristically, the Tigers finished last in 2015.The Nationals tried to extend Zimmermann a while back, but there's no belief the sides tried lately. The Nationals will receive a draft choice since they made Zimmermann a qualifying offer.The free-agent starting pitching market is led by Zack Greinke, David Price and Johnny Cueto, with several other excellent starters also available, including Jeff Samardzija, Wei-Yin Chen, Ian Kennedy, Mike Leake and many others.Zimmermann, 29, was 13-10 with a 3.66 ERA last season and has a career 3.32 ERA. He had Tommy John surgery several years ago, which may have limited his market a bit.
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