3 players for Detroit Tigers to target this offseason

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One could argue that the Detroit Tigers were one of the more disappointing teams in the majors in 2022.

They had been one of the more active teams in free agency, bringing in Javier Baez and Eduardo Rodriguez as their headline moves. Between their free agent class and top prospects coming to the majors, 2022 was supposed to be the start of something special. Then injuries and underperformance happened, leading to the Tigers finishing the 2022 season just one game out of the AL Central basement.

Three players for Detroit Tigers to target

In theory, the Tigers are not that far away. Improved health and players performing to their expectations could propel them right into the thick of the divisional race. Adding the right free agent or two could make a difference. However, the 2023 campaign is expected to be one where the new brain trust evaluates the roster and the pieces already in place, looking to determine what they have in place. Chances are, they will be looking to make minor moves in free agency.

The Detroit Tigers do have several holes on their roster. Let’s take a look at three players they could target this offseason.

Austin Hedges

The Detroit Tigers hope that they have their catcher of the future in Dillon Dingler.

There are concerns with Dingler as he advances through the Tigers’ system. While his .238/.333/.419 batting line over 448 plate appearances was above average for Double-A, he did strike out in 31.9% of his plate appearances. Dingler is not expected to be ready for the majors until late in 2023 anyway, necessitating a stopgap in the interim.

Austin Hedges could be such a player. He has the type of defensive acumen that the Tigers seem to want behind the plate. At the same time, his veteran presence could make a difference for a rotation that is still relatively inexperienced.

There are problems. Hedges is not going to hit at all as his career 58 OPS+ over 2001 major league plate appearances can attest. However, he does have some pop, having reached double digits in homers four times in his career. If he can be servicable offensively while providing his typically excellent defense, it is possible that Hedges could even be a trade chip at the deadline if Dingler is ready.

The Detroit Tigers need to find a stopgap behind the plate. Austin Hedges could be the answer.

Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

Dylan Bundy

The Detroit Tigers’ injury woes were most evident in their starting rotation as 17 different pitchers made at least one start. Of those 17, Tarik Skubal (21) was the only pitcher to make more than 20 starts. Journeyman Drew Hutchingson’s 18 starts were the second most on the roster.

Those injury woes are going to continue into 2023. Skubal and Casey Mize are not likely to be ready for the start of 2023. Matt Manning missed time with shoulder issues and left his last outing with a forearm strain, leaving his start to 2023 in question. If nothing else, the Tigers are going to need a depth option for the back of their rotation.

While Dylan Bundy may not be the type of pitcher that excites anyone, he could be that piece. His greatest attribute is that he typically takes the ball every fifth day, providing five or six innings per appearances. With the Tigers having so many questions in their rotation, that type of arm will have value.

Bundy is also likely to be relatively inexpensive. He struggled to a 4.89 ERA and a 1.279 WHiP over his 140 innings, striking out 94 batters with 28 walks. While that type of performance is not going to put the Tigers over the top, it would help to fill out their rotation while potentially giving them a trade chip if Bundy can recapture his 2020 form.

The Detroit Tigers need to find an option to fill out the rotation until their injured starters return. Dylan Bundy is the type of pitcher that would make sense.

Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports /

Michael Conforto

To say that the Detroit Tigers offense was inept last season would be an understatement.

Just four players reached the double digit mark in homers; Javier Baez led the team with 17 home runs as no one was even able to get to 20 on the year. The Tigers ranked 14th in the AL in OPS and were dead last in homers and runs scored. While they had trouble keeping pitchers healthy, that lack of offense was the death knell to their hopes in 2022.

Michael Conforto could make a difference. He is one of the biggest wild cards in free agency at this point, having missed the entire 2022 campaign due to a shoulder injury suffered during the lockout and his subsequent surgery. At this point, he may be looking at a one year deal to prove himself.

Detroit would be the perfect place for him to do so. The Tigers’ outfield is a major question mark at this time, with each spot seemingly up for grabs. Conforto would have the opportunity to show that he can still be an impact bat in the middle of the lineup as he looks to a longer term deal elsewhere.

The Detroit Tigers need to add more punch to the lineup. Michael Conforto would do exactly that.

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