Detroit Tigers: Three potential offseason free agent targets

DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 10: JaCoby Jones #21 and catcher Austin Romine #7 of the Detroit Tigers celebrate with teammates after a 5-1 win over the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park on August 10, 2020, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 10: JaCoby Jones #21 and catcher Austin Romine #7 of the Detroit Tigers celebrate with teammates after a 5-1 win over the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park on August 10, 2020, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
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Detroit Tigers
(Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

As the Detroit Tigers prepare to enter a unique offseason, here are three potential free agent targets who could join the fold.

Despite finishing 2020 with the third-worst record in the major leagues (23-35), there is genuine optimism surrounding the Detroit Tigers as they prepare for 2021.

Burdensome contracts are coming off the books, leaving Detroit with plenty of payroll flexibility and setting themselves up for an aggressive offseason in the near future (when COVID-19 isn’t wreaking havoc) and a number of top prospects made impressive debuts in 2020, with a slew of more highly-touted prospects quickly working their way to the majors.

Just 48 hours removed from watching the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate a World Series victory, the offseason kicked off with numerous teams declining options on players like Kolten Wong and others, signaling what we have all anticipated for months now, a severely depressed offseason market for free agents.

The Detroit Tigers aren’t immune to the current financial state of baseball, meaning they won’t be in the mix for high-priced free agents, instead likely bringing in lower-cost options to help bridge the gap to some of these prospects who figure to be major contributors in the big leagues (like some guy named Spencer Torkelson).

With needs at corner outfield, catcher, first base, and pitcher, who are some possible free agents the Detroit Tigers could target this offseason? Here are three names who could be options to join the Tigers in 2021.