Detroit Tigers: What’s on their 2022 post-lockout to-do list

DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 14: A detailed view of a New Era Detroit Tigers baseball hat sitting on the dugout during the game against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park on August 14, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Indians 6-4. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 14: A detailed view of a New Era Detroit Tigers baseball hat sitting on the dugout during the game against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park on August 14, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Indians 6-4. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 12: Mitch Moreland #18 of the Oakland Athletics looks on before the game against the Kansas City Royals at RingCentral Coliseum on June 12, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 12: Mitch Moreland #18 of the Oakland Athletics looks on before the game against the Kansas City Royals at RingCentral Coliseum on June 12, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

The Detroit Tigers should sign Mitch Moreland as their first baseman

Now I know the Detroit Tigers are not made of money, but the club currently has something of a black hole on their depth chart at first base. One option on the free agent market who wouldn’t break the bank for the Tigers is former Gold Glove winner Mitch Moreland.

Moreland, 36, is a former All-Star and World Series champion who still possesses double-digit home run power and is durable enough to present Detroit with a reliable and cheap option at first.

With an aging Miguel Cabrera the only true first baseman currently on the 40-man, the Tigers also have catcher Eric Haase and utilitymen Harold and Willi Castro on-hand and capable of playing first but all four of the previously mentioned players are not first baseman by trade.

Mitch Moreland has put up better numbers against right-handed pitchers in his career, but that is mostly due to the sample size (he has appeared in 1,100+ games against righties and just 571 against southpaws). While has has shown the ability to hit for power against all pitching, he would slot in nicely in the Tigers lineup, potentially splitting time at first base and designated hitter with any number of Eric Haase, Miguel Cabrera, W. Castro, H. Castro, Jonathan Schoop, and Jeimer Candelario.