The Tigers are discussing a minor league pact with former Orioles first baseman/designated hitter Renato Nunez, tweets Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Baltimore designated Nunez for assignment rather than tendering him a contract prior to this December’s deadline.
The Nunez DFA caught some by surprise, given the 26-year-old’s 43 home runs for the O’s over the past two seasons and a modest arbitration projection as a first-time-eligible player. Nunez, however, is a sub-par defender at both infield corners with below-average walk rates that have held back his ability to get on base. Despite the 43 long balls over the past two years, his penchant for strikeouts and pop-ups have coupled with that aversion to walks to produce a .247/.314/.469 batting line.
That’s still a bit north of league-average offensive output, by measure of wRC+ and OPS+ (106), but combined with a lack of any value with the glove, it clearly didn’t lead to much interest in his services. Nunez went unclaimed on waivers even though he’d likely have earned under $4MM in arbitration, and there’s been little in the way of reported interest in him since the Orioles ultimately released him.
Several years ago, Nunez likely would’ve been tendered or at least traded — and had he hit the open market at that time, there’d surely have been stronger interest. Generally speaking, though, clubs have moved away from spending on defensively limited sluggers who carry OBP questions of this magnitude.
Should Nunez and the Tigers come to terms on a deal, he’d presumably head to minor league camp to compete with Jeimer Candelario at first base and as a possible bench bat to give incoming skipper AJ Hinch some pop off the bench. He’s technically controllable through the 2024 season via arbitration, but he’ll need to work on his on-base abilities or considerably improve his glovework to avoid being a non-tender candidate again next winter even if he does make the roster.
Terrific, terrific, terrific. How did the Tigers do this? Idk, but this is a very good move.
Troll, troll troll. Don’t know how they did this, but frankly charlotte I don’t give a crap
I’m not sure why everyone hates you, Rangers29, but keep doing what you’re doing.
I agree, Rangers29. I don’t understand why there wasn’t more interest in his services as a right-handed pinch-hitter with power.
While I certainly don’t agree with the message board hate, but why is this a very good move?
Maybe Tigers fans can answer me, but it seems like young infielders are what the tigers need to work into their lineup (especially with miggy in fold at DH). I get minors deals are nothing lost if they don’t pan out, but what can Nunez offer to the tigers that makes him worth the super small risk? He doesn’t look like a guy that will be much more than Pedro Alvarez Lite
Basically the tigers need to take chances on anyone interesting. Had he been a tiger last season, he would’ve led the tigers in homers. It’s not so much we absolutely need him, it’s an attempt to unearth something
Is Nunez interesting though? Defensively lacking, runs poorly, doesn’t get in base a great clip, pull happy, and has no apparent platoon strength. I feel like the Orioles got the best of him, and it seems like the league thinks that too seeing as he got a minor league deal.
For the mess the tigers are in, yes. I wouldn’t carry him on the 40 man yet, but his power and the need to get jeimer to 3rd is needed. Our ability to even hit home runs is a joke
Can a mod please ban Rangers29 from Tigers posts?
Can a mod please allow me to downvote miggy4prez’s comment?
I am sure he gets a spring invite if this deal is pulled off. Tigers have two guys who will be on the 60 day DL just as soon as possible (Wentz and Faedo) so they will have room on the roster once spring training starts. He’ll get his shot. Tigers would prefer to have Candelario play 3B where his defense is way better than any other 3B option they have. Also allows Niko Goodrum to be a true utility player including subbing in the OF, where they do not have a ton of options for 4th OF.
I would have preferred CJ Cron, but Cron is coming off a knee injury and Nunez is 4 years younger.
With the deflation of the “super ball”, hitters with Nunez’ skill set (terrible OBP, excessive K-rate, no speed), not to mention negative defensive value, will be a dime a dozen. Really not even worth a minor league deal, unless you’re in like Reading or Grand Junction where the fans can “ooh” and “aah” over the home runs.
I would say a non-juiced ball increases guys like Nunez’s value. If he really is a 30 hr guy (which his exit velos say he is) then he will be a bit more coveted as now not every middle infielder in AAA can hit 20 dingers in a pinch.
But isn’t exit velo a function of the “juiced ball”?
I actually disown my last comment. I had his exit velos confused with another player. He actually should not be a 30 hr player. Disregard my comment. His value will tank if the ball isn’t juiced.
The Tigers have no room for a bat only player while Miggy is on the team. CJ Cron is who they need to sign. With that being said, Nunez having an OBP .070 above his ave is hardly poor. Schoop has made a career with less than that.
Miggy will be bought out at the end of spring training and released
No way. He’s too close to 3000 hits & 500 HR’s. Not going to have him do it in another uniform
Coronavirus will be eradicated by the end of Spring Training.
Miggy will be bought out and released by the end of Spring Training.
Each is equally plausible.
Yawn
You “don’t give a crap” yet you commented twice on this post.
Hardo
Low risk deal with decent upside. Worse comes to worse he is a depth piece down in Triple A.
I like the idea that he will have to compete for a job. Hopefully he makes adjustments and learns better pitch selection to swing at and learns how to work the count some. I doubt his defense will improve but I believe his offense can.
Al Avila’s Tigers moves are the equivalent of looking through the $5 movie bin at Walmart expecting to find something better than Ernest Goes to Camp. Yet he continues to buy low on Ernest flicks.
To extend your analogy, spending big for better talent for another losing season would be like buying the Blueray disc without having a Blueray player.
I think they may be purchasing laser discs. I agree with your point but I’d love to see them spend a little bit more on someone that may be moveable at the trade deadline.
More like dumpster diving
Kind of odd that a guy who was in the middle of a team’s lineup (given that the team was the Orioles) can’t even get a major league contract.
Agree with those who think the “softer” baseball does not bode well for these sluggos who K and pop up all the time…especially in Comerica Park.
Hope Miggy can get 10 dingers this year.
Nunez as insurance in case Paredes struggles and Candelario has to move back to 3B.
With the signing of Schoop, I see Parades starting in the minors learning to play 2B. That puts Candy at 3B, and leaves 1B open for…somebody. Goodrum, Harold Castro, who knows?
I’d buy that.
Just sign him to a major league deal and get rid of Stewart already. Tigers fans continue to wait patiently for the day.
As you mentioned Renato Nunez was surprisingly DFA’d by the Orioles in November after putting up 12 HR, 31 RBI, 10 doubles, 29 runs, and an .816 OPS over 52 games and 195 AB in 2020. The Tigers have (per se) no clear alternatives at the position (Miguel Cabrera, Jeimer Candelario), Nunez could be looking at some nice PT in The Motor City. Nunez has a .313 OPS in the bigs which would Adam Duvall proud.
Tork’s coming.
You would think a guy with an OPS + over 100 the last 2.5 years with homerun power would get a major league deal..
he’s hitting that age where he will probably begin to fire on all cylinders..
dude could be the next Nelson Cruz .75
As much as I dislike Avila, he’s only doing what daddy’s boy will let him. That’s not to say I believe he could build a contender with unlimited funds, but daddy’s boy refuses to spend or contend. He is content to sit on his inheritance. He is not interested in either team. Just his bank account.
I also believe that the Tigers need to look seriously into their training and developmental staffs. Too many kids getting hurt or, if not hurt, they are just not being trained correctly to be mlb players
Al Avila is a great baseball guy. I have nothing but admiration for the guy. Go Al! Go Tigers!
I know he was a great baseball guy and they’ve been in it for years. But I really don’t believe he is the right guy to build
a Team