Welcome to Pickup of the Day, where every weekday we’ll pick an under-the-radar player whose immediate value is on the rise. The idea here is to identify a starter who can give you some solid innings off the scrap heap, a talented backup who’s been given a chance because of a starter’s injury, an unheralded regular with a favorable matchup, or a potential breakout player who’s starting to put it together. Unlike regular waiver-wire advice, Pickup of the Day is geared more towards interim success, but hopefully we’ll have the intuition to help you snag a waiver-wire gem a few times this season.
The Tigers inked Joe Nathan to a two-year, $20 million contract over the winter in hopes that he would stabilize their ninth inning situation. However, it hasn’t exactly worked out that way, as the veteran reliever has allowed 10 runs over his last six appearances to push his ERA all the way up to 6.86. Manager Brad Ausmus gave Nathan a bit of a vote of confidence after Tuesday’s poor showing, but the skipper will have no choice but to make a change in the ninth if Nathan’s struggles continue. Joba Chamberlain has been terrific after inking a modest $2.5 million deal over the offseason, putting up a 2.59 ERA and 29/7 K/BB ratio over 24 1/3 relief frames. He’s looking like the best bet for saves in Detroit if a switch is made.
