Detroit Tigers Rumors: Possible landing spots for Nicholas Castellanos
If Detroit Tigers fans haven’t been through enough in the recent seasons, the Hot Stove season could turn out to be another slap in the face as Detroit Tigers rumors mention the team’s best hitter.
If the front office has its way, only one player from the Mike Ilitch and Dave Dombrowski era of the Detroit Tigers will be left in 2019. That player is Miguel Cabrera. It’s safe to bet that if Al Avila and Chris Ilitch could something of value for Cabrera, he’d be gone, too.
During Day One of the Winter Meetings, Nicholas Castellanos became the topic of conversation in Tigers rumors. According to Jon Morosi, teams like the Braves have inquired about the third-baseman-turned-right-fielder:
Sources: #Tigers OF Nick Castellanos is drawing trade interest. #Braves are among the teams that have checked in. Castellanos, 26, is coming off a career offensive year and is an alternative to Brantley and Pollock via free agency. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 10, 2018
Anthony Fenech with the Detroit Free Press wrote about Castellanos:
“He is one season away from hitting the free agent market, and the Tigers are determined to move on, not because of dollars, but sense.”
Castellanos will hit the free agent market at the end of the 2019 season, which means that if the Tigers want to keep him, they will have to pay him. He’s a home-grown player and still young. After a cup of coffee in 2013, he played 148 games in the 2014 season at age 22. He’ll be 27 at the start of the 2019 season.
The Tigers paid him $6 million in 2018 and he produced, especially at the plate. In both 2017 and 2018, he played 158 games. In 2017, he led the AL with 10 triples. In 2018, he hit a slash of .298/.354/.500 with 23 home runs and 89 RBI.
In 2017, he made the transition from third base to right field after the Tigers traded J.D. Martinez. Castellanos was terrible at third base with 18 errors in 2017 alone. He’s not great in right field, either. His defensive WAR in 2018 was a sad -2.4. But, his offensive numbers were so good that he finished 2018 with a WAR of 2.9.
With departure of nearly every veteran player except Cabrera, Castellanos became a fan favorite in 2018. Even if he couldn’t make the big plays in the outfield, his bat and his sense of humor endeared him to fans. If he leaves, 2019 will be a difficult season for fans in the seats at Comerica Park.
Teams that are looking at him could put him in right field, but he might be better at first base or as a full-time designated hitter. Let’s see where he could possible land.