Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila has been asked about left-handed pitcher Daniel Norris, who is turning into a reliable bullpen option this season.
The Tampa Bay Rays are one team with interest, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
Norris, 27, is not a free agent until 2022. Because of this, the general value of return offers should be greater than that of a player on a one-year contract.
The Tigers (16-16) seem to be turning their sights to a push for the expanded 16-team postseason, as the organization reportedly isn’t interested in trading second baseman Jonathan Schoop, who is on a one-year deal. He is batting .303 with eight homers and 19 RBIs.
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Norris was held out of summer camp this July because of a positive COVID-19 test and forced to begin the 60-game season at the alternate training site in Toledo.
The Tigers recalled him to start Aug. 2 in Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds. He gave up two runs on four hits and two walks in 1⅔ innings. Despite starting pitching woes at the time, the organization moved him to the bullpen, where he has since been magnificent.
In 13⅓ innings across five appearances since becoming a reliever, Norris boasts a 1.35 ERA with a .167 opponent batting average. He has 12 strikeouts and one walk in this time and has not given up a home run.
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He has not appeared in a game since Aug. 26.
Norris pitched in 32 games (29 starts) and 144⅓ innings for the Tigers in 2019, posting a 3-13 record, 4.49 ERA, 125 strikeouts and 38 walks. The team finished 47-114.
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The Tigers acquired Norris from the Toronto Blue Jays at the 2015 trade deadline, along with fellow left-handers Matthew Boyd and Jairo Labourt, in exchange for left-hander David Price.
Coincidentally, Price was picked up by the Tigers at the 2014 trade deadline from the Rays in a three-team deal that included outfielder Austin Jackson, left-hander Drew Smyly and shortstop Willy Adames.
Evan Petzold is a sports reporting intern at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold. The Free Press has started a new digital subscription model. Here’s how you can gain access to our most exclusive Detroit Tigers content.