Detroit Tigers: Three key questions heading into offseason
By Brad Faber
What should the Detroit Tigers do with Nick Castellanos?
Although Nicholas Castellanos got off to a bit of a slow start in his big league career, slashing a modest .257/.304/.407 through his first two full major league seasons, he has been a well above average offensive player for the past three years.
This past season, Castellanos hit a career-best .298/.354/.500 (130 OPS+) with 23 home runs and 89 RBI. Although he fell short of the career-high home run (26) and RBI (101) totals he set beck in 2017, it was quite arguably his best all-around offensive season to date. He also proved to be very durable, playing in 157 games for the second straight year.
Castellanos remains under team control through only next season. Per McCosky, the Tigers are still deciding on whether or not it would make sense to offer Castellanos an extension.
In theory, it could make sense for the Tigers to try to trade Castellanos this offseason. After all, he might have more value now than he would next summer, when he would be a two-month rental.
If the Tigers do work out an extension with Castellanos, or simply decide not to trade him this offseason, there is also a question of whether first base might be in his future.
Although Castellanos appeared more comfortable in right field than he did at first base, he still wasn’t exactly a gold glove caliber defender. He ranked 53rd out of 57 qualified outfielders with -19 defensive runs saved.
The fact that Victor Martinez is retiring could potentially create more flexibility for the Tigers in this department as well. Castellanos and Miguel Cabrera could conceivably split the first base and DH duties. Cabrera will be entering his age-36 season and has not been his usual self since 2016. It may be time for him to begin DHing more regularly.