The Detroit Tigers made a pitching move on Wednesday, acquiring right-hander Jacob Waguespack from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for either a player to be named later or cash considerations.
According to reporter Evan Woodbery, Waguespack was pitching on a minor league contract with Milwaukee and was not on the Brewers’ 40-man roster, meaning the Tigers did not need to make a corresponding roster move to complete the deal.
While the transaction may not grab headlines, the numbers suggest Detroit is adding a pitcher who has been highly effective in Triple-A this season. Waguespack has posted a 1.66 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP over 21.2 innings with Triple-A Nashville. He has also generated plenty of swing-and-miss, averaging 13.7 strikeouts per nine innings.
Woodbery noted that trades involving productive Triple-A players can sometimes signal that an upward-mobility clause has been triggered or is close to being triggered. However, he also pointed out that the timing is somewhat unusual, given that the Tigers could soon be welcoming multiple pitchers back from injury.
Detroit’s pitching staff has been hit hard by injuries throughout the season, with players such as Tarik Skubal, Justin Verlander, Casey Mize, and others either recently sidelined or working their way back. Adding experienced depth at Triple-A provides the organization with another option as it navigates a challenging stretch.
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