Tigers are better with Porcello

Tigers right-hander Rick Porcello, the subject of trade speculation, started the minor-league game because it was his day to pitch and the parent club was off.

Yet it quickly became evident as it has been evident all spring that if the Tigers move Porcello, they’re nuts.

I’ve never seen him like that,” said Tigers backup and former Royals catcher Brayan Pena, who caught Porcello on Wednesday.

The Tigers obviously are willing to trade Porcello, as evidenced by the number of scouts in attendance Wednesday.

Not all of those teams definitely would want Porcello immediately, or even in the future; the Padres and Rangers are actively pursuing Porcello, but the Dodgers and Cardinals are not currently looking for starting pitching, sources say.

The Tigers can name Porcello their fifth starter, then send left-hander Drew Smyly to Triple-A or use him out of their bullpen.

Many of Porcello’s numbers strikeout rate, walk rate, home-run rate, fielding-independent pitching (FIP) are trending in the right direction.

Tigers pitching coach Jeff Jones asked Porcello to work on his delivery during the offseason.

Alex Avila, the Tigers’ regular catcher, told Jones that he no longer can catch Porcello’s two-seam (sinking) fastball and four-seam (straight) fastball the same way; the four-seamer has too much carry now.

For what it’s worth, Porcello is one of five pitchers to start his career with at least four consecutive seasons of 10 or more wins before turning 24, according to STATS LLC.