3 moves for the Detroit Tigers this offseason
The offseason is barely underway and the Detroit Tigers have already begun filling holes on their roster.
On Thursday, the Tigers stole Tucker Barnhart from the Reds, filling a need behind the plate. With Jake Rogers lost for the 2022 season, and Eric Haase faltered down the stretch. Finding another catcher for the upcoming season was a priority.
Three moves the Detroit Tigers should make
Even though the Tigers have already taken care of one of their holes, there are still issues on the roster. As the young core continues to develop, and top prospects Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene are expected to make an impact, the Tigers need to add a couple more pieces if they are going to contend in 2022.
The Detroit Tigers are planning on taking that next step in the coming year. Let’s take a look at three moves they should make to do so.
Bring back Justin Verlander
The Detroit Tigers have an excellent young pitching staff that has already displayed its potential. However, they need a veteran arm who has been through the battles to help them take the next step.
Fortunately, there is a pitcher who could come available in free agency that would fit that bill. Justin Verlander has missed most of the past two seasons due to Tommy John surgery, making just one start in 2020.
There is no guarantee that Verlander will enter free agency. The Astros could give him the Qualifying Offer, an $18.4 million salary for 2022 that he could accept. If he does not, Verlander could be a relative bargain in free agency while still potentially being the top of the rotation arm that the Tigers need. After all, he won the Cy Young award in 2019 and had been as dominant as ever in his one outing before injury.
Verlander would also send a message to the Tigers. Yes, he would be a major question mark due to his age and coming back from injury. But he would signal to the rest of the roster, particularly the pitching staff, that the team is ready to contend.
The Detroit Tigers need a top of the rotation arm and a veteran leader for their pitching staff. It is time to bring Justin Verlander home.
Bring in Carlos Correa
The Detroit Tigers have a solid lineup that should be even better with the eventual additions of Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene. However, they still need an impact bat in the middle of the batting order.
At the same time, the Tigers infield is generally set, aside from shortstop. While general manager Al Avila has said that adding a top shortstop is not necessarily the Tigers’ most important move, doing so could make a major difference in their fortunes in the AL Central.
Fortunately, both are available in the same player. Carlos Correa has already indicated that he is leaving the Astros behind, looking for a new start and a better contract elsewhere. Tigers owner Christopher Ilitch had said that when the time was right, the checkbook would open. The time is certainly right now.
It is also worth noting that there is a degree of familiarity between Correa and the Tigers. A.J. Hinch was his manager in Houston as they won a World Series together in 2017. A reunion could be a draw for Correa, as would the idea that he could be one of the missing pieces of bringing a championship to Detroit.
The Detroit Tigers need a shortstop and an impact bat. They could get both with Carlos Correa.
Trade an outfielder
If the Detroit Tigers are set in any one area, it is in the outfield. They already have five viable major league options, as well as top prospect Riley Greene, who is poised to debut at some point in 2022.
In theory, that depth will be useful for the upcoming season. The Tigers have enough outfielders where they do not need to add any during free agency while being covered in case of injury. But there are also holes on the roster, particularly in the pitching staff, that need to be addressed.
As such, it would make sense for the Tigers to use their depth to their advantage. They could trade one of their outfielders to a team in need, potentially landing help in the bullpen or depth in the infield.
While that would weaken their depth, there are going to be plenty of outfielders available in free agency. It is possible that they could sign a veteran to a minor league contract, keeping them in Triple-A in case of emergency. Likewise, the Tigers will need to find a place for Greene in the lineup at some point, especially if he gets off to a fast start.
Next. Top 25 free agents this offseason. dark
The Detroit Tigers have plenty of outfielders and holes on their roster. A trade to fix those shortcomings would make sense.