Third Base?
Right now, it appears that Jeimer Candelario will be given every opportunity to show that he can handle the job at third base. Through 38 games with the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs last season, Candelario was quite impressive, hitting .283/.359/.425 (106 OPS+) with three home runs and 16 RBI.
He also has a solid track record of performing well in the minor leagues, regularly hitting for solid average and double-digit home run power. Judging by the way he performed after coming over from the Cubs last season, he certainly looks ready for the job.
If for some reason Candelario struggles, however, the Tigers may need to keep the door open to other options. The most obvious solution would be to move Castellanos from right field back to third base. Castellanos struggled defensively at the hot corner for the better part of four seasons, but his bat has come around over the past two seasons.
The Tigers could decide that his offensive is enough to offset his defensive woes and use him as a temporary solution until Candelario is ready.
Other less likely options could include Dixon Machado or Dawel Lugo. Machado performed decently in a utility role last season, hitting .259/.302/.319 with a homer and 11 RBI through 73 games. However, he is more of a middle infielder than a corner infielder.
Lugo, who was acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in the J.D. Martinez deal, hit a robust .277/.321/.424 with 13 home runs and 65 RBI in Double-A last season. However, given that he has yet to play above Double-A, he made need a bit more time in the minors before suiting up for the majors.