The Tigers are slated to enter the 2022 campaign with more hope than they’ve had in a long while. Detroit’s rebuild has begun to bear fruit, with the team’s above .500 showing from May 1 onwards suggesting the roster has at least progressed to respectable after a four-season stretch in which the Tigers were among the worst teams in the league.
Detroit dipped into free agency a bit last offseason, picking up Robbie Grossman and bringing back Jonathan Schoop. Those low-cost additions paid off, and both Grossman and Schoop will return in 2022 (the latter on a midseason, two-year extension). Owner Christopher Illitch suggested in August the club could make some “high-impact” additions to the roster this winter. Speaking with reporters (including Evan Woodbery of MLive, Chris McCosky of the Detroit News and Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free-Press) this afternoon, general manager Al Avila shined some light on more specific target areas for the club.
Bolstering the starting pitching is a primary goal, with Avila bluntly noting that “an established starter would be a necessity, yes. … If you can add an established starter that can give you those type of innings, that’ll be a big plus for us. If we can’t, for whatever reason, then again, we’re going to have to mix and match more often. If we could come in and sign a good, established starter to be part of that rotation, it’s a big plus. We can’t guarantee that, because I don’t know how the market is going to play out.”
Detroit has broken in young pitchers like Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal and Matt Manning over the past couple years, but they’re lacking in veteran certainty at the moment. Excepting Mize, Spencer Turnbull and Matthew Boyd were the Tigers’ best starters this past season. Turnbull will miss most or all of next season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in July, and Boyd himself underwent a late-season elbow procedure that puts his future with the organization in question.
Boyd is expected to pitch at some point in 2022, but it’s not clear that’ll be in Detroit. The southpaw is entering his final season of arbitration eligibility and would be entitled to a raise on this year’s $6.5MM salary if tendered a contract. It’s possible Detroit non-tenders Boyd in hopes of re-signing him to a lesser salary. Doing that would give Boyd an opportunity to hear from other clubs, though, and Avila acknowledged such a scenario would involve “a decision to be made on his part, if it gets to that point.”
Regardless of whether the club tenders Boyd a contract, the season-opening rotation needs to be addressed. Manning himself struggled and could require some additional Triple-A time. Tyler Alexander had a nice season but has worked in a swing capacity throughout his career. Last offseason’s José Ureña pickup didn’t work out, while Wily Peralta quietly posted a 3.12 ERA over 92 1/3 innings but only struck out 14.4% of opposing hitters. Both Ureña and Peralta are slated to reach free agency this offseason. Reuniting with either player wouldn’t be costly, but both hurlers are better fits for the back-end of a rotation anyhow.
As always, free agency offers a wide variety of starting pitchers. Robbie Ray, Kevin Gausman, Marcus Stroman and former Tiger Max Scherzer are top-of-the-rotation arms who’ll land significant deals this winter. Jon Gray and Steven Matz are among the mid-rotation options, while there are a host of veteran innings-eater types who figure to land lower-cost one or two-year deals. Given the Tigers’ needs throughout the rotation, it seems likely Avila and his staff will try to land multiple additions, perhaps one higher-tier option and a more affordable back-end piece.
On the position player side, Avila pointed to shortstop and catcher as the most likely target areas. Niko Goodrum and Willi Castro are each coming off disappointing years, contributing to the Tigers’ cumulative .201/.275/.321 line from the shortstop position. The upcoming free agent class is loaded, and there’s already been speculation about the possibility of Astros star Carlos Correa reuniting with former Houston skipper A.J. Hinch in the Motor City. Correa’s just one of numerous options who’ll be available.
Any investment in the top of the shortstop market would certainly count as “high-impact,” but it’d require a significant expenditure. Avila didn’t rule out that possibility, telling reporters he’d have “no fear factor in signing a big contract” but cautioning that the front office doesn’t feel obligated to land a superstar in free agency.
The Tigers’ payroll outlook could certainly support such an investment, should Avila and his group zero in on Correa or any other top-of-the-market player. Detroit has just under $45MM on the books in guaranteed money for next season, in the estimation of Roster Resource’s Jason Martinez. That’s before accounting for an arbitration class that includes Turnbull, Michael Fulmer and Jeimer Candelario, but there’ll still be plenty of room if Illitch is willing to sign off on a payroll anywhere near the $160+MM range at which the franchise perennially spent before embarking on the rebuild.
With the rotation, shortstop and catching situation taking precedence, Avila downplayed the possibility of making significant alterations in the outfield. Grossman will return in a corner spot, while Akil Baddoo earned a season-opening job with an impressive performance as a Rule 5 draftee. Avila suggested top prospect Riley Greene could make an impact at some point, not surprising considering he’s begun his Triple-A career with a .308/.400/.553 line over 185 plate appearances. And the club still has Víctor Reyes and Derek Hill as in-house options capable of manning center field.
Hill, whose season ended early because of a meniscus tear in his left knee, will undergo surgery in the coming days, Hinch informed reporters. The manager downplayed the severity of the procedure, and it seems he’s expected to be ready for Spring Training. Hill’s one of numerous young players likely to take on key roles with next year’s club, but Avila’s comments unsurprisingly suggest the franchise anticipates taking further steps towards contention this winter.
The Tigers played well in the second half. Like Seattle, they’re on the cusp. I wouldn’t go crazy in free agency. Sign a solid starter or trade for one. Stay away from Baez. Possibly bring Castellanos back. Verlander is risky and pricey. Not sure if they should spend that much money on him.
Why would they want castellanos back when he left all he did was complain about playing in comerica he’s a terrible defender on top of his complaining
Seattle is not on the cusp lmaooo. They just had a historically lucky season. No way they get close to 90 wins in 2022
They would be if they signed some free agents.
For a few years, the Tigers were drawing three million. The city/surrounding area will support a competitive team. It’s up to Tiger’s ownership to decide whether they want to allocate the resources to that.
Correa & Verlander please
JV is one of my all-time favorite players but signing a soon to be 39-year-old recovering from TJ surgery would be a decision based purely on emotion, not logic.
Depends on the price. If Verlander were willing to take a 2 year deal either with heavy incentives or back loaded its not a bad deal.
Correa should have games played escalators in his contract or else a few of those years will be mailed in.
I think the Tigers may shy away from a mega pitching contract but Robbie Ray and maybe bringing back Teheran and Peralta could be more likely
I agree on Correa, but I doubt he accepts such a contract, given he will be in high demand. That said, I would take Robbie and CC in a New York minute.
Trea Turner and Correa both miss a lot of time. I would let the big money teams take them. Interesting to see where Simien goes or if Toronto pony’s up. He’s rock solid
They don’t need to do a long term deal for a SS until they see how Kriedler works out. They would be foolish to do so. Like going out to get milk when there’s a gallon in the fridge.
Verlander should end his career with the Tigers. I wouldn’t mind Yankees going after Fuller.
Verlander is far too risky of an investment. I’d love to see him come back, but I’d rather he does his season of “Tommy John Rehab” with another team. By that I mean the 1.5 years off, and at least half a season to regain their form.
It just isn’t the time to bring JV back.
If Verlander comes back he will be our closer
Passing on an All Star level shortstop to see what Kriedler has is like deciding not to go get a gallon of milk because you have a few sips left and the expiration date was a week ago
Like please understand you are basically saying you don’t want to risk having two good players when the downside is having no good players for SS
You’re right on the money, TroyVan. A stop gap low priced vet in the interim
I like to call them placeholders
Avila’s comments were intentionally vague. He isn’t going to make a signing for the sake of making a splash. His only goal is to make the team better. You can probably interpret that any way you want, and Avila can spin that any way he wants.
SS an obvious need. They have Ryan Kriedler but most do not think he profiles as a MLB SS. So they will at least try for the top of the market but since players also have a choice, I would not count on Avila being able to land a guy like Correa for example. And for all the talk, there is no indication Chris Ilitch is willing to throw around $30-40M AAV contracts.
Who says he doesn’t profile as a MLB SS? He is is plus-defender and was one of the best hitters, if not THE BEST in the Tigers farm system. Is it because he is a bit large in stature? Is the scouting report/s you reference from before the season started? Seriously. What more does he have to do to be considered a MLB-ready SS?
How is he the best hitter in the Tigers system? Outside of a couple hot weeks in AAA, his numbers on the season are pedestrian.
Well, I think his numbers were pretty good, especially his OBPS. He can steal some bases, and he halved his strikeout rate when he made it to Toledo (usually, when you go up, strikeouts go up, too). He’s well on his way. But, probably not MLB ready. That’s why I’d sign a 1-year deal for a SS and let him fight it out for the starting position after he gets 30 or so games in at Toledo (assuming he doesn’t regress).
Most of his season was in double A. Where he ops’d mid 700’s, which is solid yet unspectacular. He just has a very short track record of even average performance. I wouldn’t put him in the future plans yet. Still need a big upgrade at short. I’d be real disappointed if Goodrum or Short is our starting ahortstop next year…
@jamesm
Pedestrian at SS for the Tigers would be a nice improvement.
@tigerdoc
I have yet to see anything that indicates Hinch wants anything to do with the ex-players that threw him under the bus.
Story is better defensively, offers some left handed pop, and may take a pillow contract.
Story bats right handed…
My mistake. He still offers some pop, and even if he hits like Tulo in Toronto, that will be an improvement.
If they want innings, they need to look at Gausman for the front end. Andrew Heaney could be a sleeper for the back end. DeJong could be a reclamation project to battle Kreidler at low acquisition cost. Might be able to get San Diego to trade Kim, who is an expensive utility player, but capable defensively at SS. Offer a solid one year contract to Yan Gomez. Sign Kendall Graveman for the bullpen. Its not how much they spend. It will be whether they spend on the right players.
I doubt DeJong comes cheap. No doubt he had a miserable year, but injuries played a part, and he still hit 19 homers in limited play. Granted Sosa out played him, but he has a reasonable contract, and I don’t know who the Rockies have as trade partners that would improve the Cards.
@ spur humor
Nor do I. But teams always need pitching, and the Tigers have that in the minors. If DeJong is on the StL bench, his affordable contract as a starter becomes expensive as a utility player.
Ryan could be a stud, but you can still go after a star SS, and have Ryan play third or second. You could move Jeimer to First, or Schoop to first. Either way, there is flexibility. Honestly, I would prefer the SS from the Dodgers. He’s injury prone, but I think he’s a better player, and the Tigers need a good lefty bat.
Corey Seager is who you are talking about, and no way! He’s hurt all the time! The best ability in baseball is AVAILABILITY and he ain’t got it!
I love JV and prolly saw him pitch like 15 times live at Comerica. But he will be 40 soon and coming off TJS makes ZERO sense to sign him to a multi year expensive deal. And anyone who thinks that Correa will accept a “incentive-laden” deal is outta there minds! There are a number of teams desperate that will give him a fully guaranteed deal. We need to stay clear of him, and media saying he will sign b/c of AJ Hinch are crazy! He’ll sign the biggest contract, period. In my own humble opinion, I would try my best to sign Robbie Ray (his numbers were awesome this year) to go with a L-R-L combo with Mize and Skubal at the front of the rotation. And then I would camp outside Marcus Simien’s house and not leave until a contract was signed! Dude hit 45 HR’s, drove in 115 RBI’s and stole 15 bases as well! He is so underrated as a player. I’d sign him anywhere from 4-6 years and give him a great AAV deal. At some point we will have Tork and Greene up with the big club so no need for a 1st baseman or an expensive corner OF bat. And Kriedler may be the SS of the future, but he WILL NOT be ready in April of 2022. So keep him down to get fulltime AB’s in Toledo, let Tork and Greene play 2 weeks at AAA to get the extra year of control (that rule blows, but it is what it is) and sign Simien, Ray and maybe another SP and decent catcher to play till Dingler is ready, and let’s get at it in 2022! GO TIGERS!
Last year you guys grilled.me.for saying the Tigers could pick up an All Star infield for $40M of Gregorious, Semiens and Wong…. You guys told me Semiens stunk….now listen to this board…..Al missed out because he has no flexibility, no imagination and no seine….
This year, there are also many great opportunities but I expect more of the same……he already has stupid ideas in his head…and apparently plans to stick with it……that is what stinks….
Actually, I meant and had said A Simmons? The guy who went from.the Angels.to the Blue Jay’s….. everybody here said he stunk, now look at him…..
Not exactly sure who you were describing when saying “you guys” but I was just as high on Simean last year. His numbers were great last year as well and now he’ll be a heck of alot more expensive. He is the best bet of any of the high priced SS’s on the market this offseason. I’d take him over Correa, Seager, Baez or Story.
Is Fulmer done as a starter or were they giving others guys a look?
Fulmer was coming off surgery and was on a pitch count. They decided it best to work him out of the pen. He did great and closed many games.
They overpayed for an oft injured Magglio and a late career Pudge to bring them to a perennial loser when they would not have otherwise.
So is it time to do the same? I’d be fine with an overpay for either Correa or Seager(injuries or not). Obviously these are much younger and better players than the two mentioned above.
I just don’t think they have the horses to rely completely on the minors.
That said they promoted their analytics guys and all but booted what his name(ex Pirate GM) so maybe they can identify better value ….
BUT how often to have two premier players at at SS still in their 20’s hitting FA? Would love one but highly doubt it.
How can you write something about the Tigers future and not mention Spencer Torkelson?
Tigers have options..
1) Don’t sign any 200-300M contracts with a SS..
Lindor signed a 330M contract with the Mets for 10 years.
After signing the contract (after trade from the Indians) his stats for ’21?!
230 BA and only 20 home runs.
Tigers have guys on the team doing that for the major league minimum (Haas) or about 6M (Grossman) etc..
Read that Correa has been talking to Lindor and also wants a 340M contract.
HARD PASS! Correa is injury prone. His offense is hot and cold. He goes cold for weeks at the most in opportune times. His defense may make him eventually move to 3B or OF.
2)Tigers have been piling up Draft SS s and international draftee SS guys who who could hold down the position and hit..
Kreidler is a product of UCLA so he is used to producing at a high level.
3) Give Kreidler a shot @ SS.
4) If not ready, then ’22, then do a 1 or 2 year “pillow contract” with a veteran. Brandon Belt ((Giants) is a 33 year old FA looking for a deal.
1 year with an option year or 2 should do it.
Read that he can be had for 15M year.
5) Make a smart trade for a young SS blocked at AAA
SS CJ Abrams of the Padres was injured and out for the year in ’21 He will play in ’22.
Abrams is blocked @ AAA by young superstar MVP candidate Ferando Tatis Jr.
Padres have Manny Machado at 3B and Jake Cronenworth (U of Michigan) at 2B.
No room for CJ Abrams to play.
Padres could use a better catcher who can hit (Haas?!) and a young OF
(Daz Cameron?! Mike Cameron’s son) who plays all # OF positions or substitute a relief pitcher Soto or ?! for one of the players going to SD.)
Tigers INF of Candelario, Abrams, Paredes Schoop, Torkelson etc would be very competitve at very reasonable costs,
Padres get a power hitting catcher (20+ home runs who calls a great game) and either a young CF (who plays all 3 OF slots) or a back end reliever who helps their pen.
“Win/Win” trade for both teams!
https://www.mlb.com/player/eric-haase-606992
There is NO WAY that the Tigers are going to get Abrams, the #6 overall prospect in baseball for Haase, an OF and a relief pitcher. A trade for him would have to start with either a Manning, Mize or Skubal. A more affordable target might be Greg Jones from the Rays or Oswald Peraza from the Yankees.
Yeah, it would cost a tremendous amount. I would wager something along the lines of:
C.J. Abrams
Wil Myers
for
Robbie Grossman
Gregory Soto
Matt Manning
The Padres still need help in the bullpen and in the rotation. Grossman gives them a lead-off option. Matt Manning is the cost of doing business for the top SS prospect in baseball.
Trade Value refuses this trade, but I believe that the Padres are better served with these three players (and getting out from under Wil Myers’ contract, which is more than double the three quality players going to SD combined) than sticking Abrams at 2B. I think there’s an unspoken reduction in value when you know a player is blocked by a couple of top-20 talents in Machado and Tatis Jr which their algorithms don’t consider.
So it’s doable. But it’s going to cost you a top guy going back.
No way that Tigers give up Matt Manning.
The Willy Adames trade from Rays to Brewers set the young shortstop prospect market. The Rays sent starting, young SS Adames to the Brewers for 2 mid level major league relievers (that is it the total trade compensaton).
Adames was a highly rated minor and major league young SS with All Star potential and played like an All Star for the Brewers.
Tigers might give Padres relievers Funkhouser and Cisneros for Abrams.
Tigers would want a similar deal like the Rays made with the Brewers. Tigers might consider taking a 1 or 2 year salary dump from the Padres if the Padres sent other young player or players back in the deal to the Tigers.
Tigers are signing another veteran catcher so Haas is expendable.
Tigers have catchers Dustin Garneau, Grayson Greiner and Dillion Dingler on the way. And, they plan on signing a veteran catcher so Hass is expendable.
And, C Dillon Dingler is almost ready for MLB
Most of his season was in double A. Where he ops’d mid 700’s, which is solid yet unspectacular. He just has a very short track record of even average performance. I wouldn’t put him in the future plans yet. Still need a big upgrade at short. I’d be real disappointed if Goodrum or Short is our starting ahortstop next year…
Adames had been terrible before the trade. Average in his best years. And he had waning control. When you have the best prospect in baseball blocked at the ss position, you have the luxury of trading your middle of the pact shortstop for a couple of bullpen arms. The Adames trade doesn’t set the market because he isn’t a young and upcoming guy. He was a top prospect who fizzled after several years in the bigs until he was traded.
You got #1 right for sure, I’d stat as far away from Correa, Seager or Story that I could. But everything else seems kinda like a pipe dream. There is no way in the wonderful Lords green earth that SD would trade Abrams for a 30-something catcher that before this season had never had more than 5HRs or hit higher than .235 and a CF who still hasn’t proven he can hit in AAA let alone the majors. I wish GMs would do a trade like that for us but it won’t happen. Kreider could very well be the SS of the future but it’s definitely not happening in 2022. He’ll need to hit in the minors for awhile before making that jump. We will need to sign a SS/2B this offseason. We just need to pick the right one for sure! Story, Correa and Baez are ask going to ask for $200M plus, so I agree you say heck no! Sign Simien for 4 years at a larger AAV and your set. You already got Schoop, Candelario, Tork and sometimes Miggy to round out the rest of the IF. Outfield you got Baddoo,Grossman and most likely Greene so maybe a 4th OF that has some pop to complement those 3. So your left with a huge need at C and SP. Sign Robbie Ray to start with. At catcher were kinda at an impasse. I loved the way Haase played this year, but are you going to get another year out of him like this? Chances are slim, and there is no one on the market with signing to anything more than 2 years tops. Hopefully by 2023 Dingler will be ready or Jake Rogers healthy (TJ surgery). But atleast Avila sounds like he’ll get the OK to scratch out some checks this offseason. Now you just gotta sign the right guys and that’s where AA scares me! There’s also the trade market to keep in mind
You got #1 right for sure, I’d stat as far away from Correa, Seager or Story that I could. But everything else seems kinda like a pipe dream. There is no way in the wonderful Lords green earth that SD would trade Abrams for a 30-something catcher that before this season had never had more than 5HRs or hit higher than .235 and a CF who still hasn’t proven he can hit in AAA let alone the majors. I wish GMs would do a trade like that for us but it won’t happen. Kreider could very well be the SS of the future but it’s definitely not happening in 2022. He’ll need to hit in the minors for awhile before making that jump. We will need to sign a SS/2B this offseason. We just need to pick the right one for sure! Story, Correa and Baez are ask going to ask for $200M plus, so I agree you say heck no! Sign Simien for 4 years at a larger AAV and your set. You already got Schoop, Candelario, Tork and sometimes Miggy to round out the rest of the IF. Outfield you got Baddoo,Grossman and most likely Greene so maybe a 4th OF that has some pop to complement those 3. So your left with a huge need at C and SP. Sign Robbie Ray to start with. At catcher were kinda at an impasse. I loved the way Haase played this year, but are you going to get another year out of him like this? Chances are slim, and there is no one on the market with signing to anything more than 2 years tops. Hopefully by 2023 Dingler will be ready or Jake Rogers healthy (TJ surgery). But atleast Avila sounds like he’ll get the OK to scratch out some checks this offseason. Now you just gotta sign the right guys and that’s where AA scares me! There’s also the trade market to keep in mind
1. Brandon Belt doesn’t play SS. If you’re referring to Torkelson not being ready, that’s why they extended Schoop. 2. Haase is not being traded. With Jake out with TJ surgery, he is their only C at the moment. As the article states, C is a position of need. 3. The Tigers will not just be adding their All-Star closer Soto as a throw in to a trade. Think younger version of Chapman, but with years of control. Then make an offer with your A material.
Wrong Brandon! Brandon Crawford is the player I was thinking about..
He is a veteran 34 year old SS who will be looking for a new job/contract and is projected to cost 15M per year.
Brandon Crawford signed a 2 year extension with the Giants two months so he’s not available.
See post above. Tigers would want a deal like the Rays trading Adames to the Brewers (for 2 middle relief pitchers) I am not in favor of giving up Closer and neither would Al Avil give up Soto.
SS Brandon Crawford is the player I was thinking about not Brandon Belt (my bad).
Tigers have “other plans:” at catcher (they will be signing a veteran catcher to work with the 4 young catchers they already have.
Manning is “untouchable”.
Padres are loaded with both young and veteran starting pitching.
Padres had way to many injuries last year.
If healthy, they don’t really need more starting pitching.
Padres have 2 catchers who don’t hit so an upgrade of a starting catcher is a major big deal and putting any other players in the deal for Abrams would be
“over kill:.
That’s laughable. You bet the Tigers want a deal like the Brewers got for Adames. The Ray’s didn’t set the market for shortstops with that deal. They sold low on a struggling player to make room for Franco. Abrams isn’t a struggling player, he’s probably the best SS prospect in baseball behind Franco.
Let’s sign two guys named Marcus…
Al Avila, the Sober Sailor.
HEY AL,
ONE NAME-
LUCIANO.
HEY CHRIS,
ONE NAME-
SUPERFIFE.
I wanted the Tigers to acquire Endy Hechavaria for SS early last off season. He didn’t hit great but does everything else well.
I really like the play of Gavin Lux. He didn’t hit that well but he looks like an outstanding SS. He’d likely cost too much however.
Mize would land the Tiger Lux from the Dodgers.
I’m not sure that the Tigers would want to make that trade.
Actually, I meant and had said A Simmons? The guy who went from.the Angels.to the Blue Jay’s….. everybody here said he stunk, now look at him…..