Will Vest, RP, Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a team that appears to be stocking up on free agents this winter, so it's doubtful that they are looking to trade from their current roster. But Dave Dombrowski has a history as a former executive with Detroit, and a certain deal the Phillies made this past season with the Tigers for Michael Lorenzen worked out pretty well.
So who on the Tigers' roster could be of interest to the Phillies this offseason? How about some versatile bullpen help? How about a late bloomer by the name of Will Vest?
Vest has emerged as a kind of jack-of-all-trades relief pitcher for the Tigers over the last two seasons. Think of a guy who fills a similar role to that of Matt Strahm, but is right-handed. For a team like the Phillies that could use a few more reliable arms for the bullpen in 2024, would a guy like Vest make sense in a trade?
Vest was asked to fill a variety of roles for Detroit last season and posted season totals of 2-1 with a 2.18 ERA in 48 games (four starts) to go along with two saves. That's a lot of versatility right there. With the Tigers expected to make a run this year, it's probably a stretch to think they might deal from a position of strength, but why not give them a call?
With a few years of control left for the pre-arbitration eligible Vest, any move would require a mid-level prospect in return.