The Tigers continue to cast a wide net in free agency as they attempt to build off an encouraging 2021 season. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reports that the team has already spoken to representatives for six of this winter’s premier middle infielders (Carlos Correa, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Trevor Story, Javier Báez, and Chris Taylor). Morosi notes in a separate tweet that there’s some industry uncertainty over whether the Tigers would sign a player in the $250MM range, but that may have less to do with the team’s regard for the free agent shortstops and more to do with Detroit’s rotation needs.
It’s commonplace for teams to perform due diligence checks with agents in the offseason, even if the team isn’t optimistic about its chances to sign a certain player. Still, there is a perception among some in the sport that a few teams could be aggressive and move quickly in their pursuit of high-end free agents. The Tigers were among the teams listed as candidates to sign prominent players before the current CBA expires.
Detroit can afford to be opportunistic in the very literal sense that they have a ton of open payroll space. Even after extending Jonathan Schoop and their recent acquisition of Tucker Barnhart, the team has a projected 2022 payroll of just $93MM per Roster Resource. Non-tenders would shrink that estimate even further, and Detroit has a few prominent non-tender candidates (most notably Matthew Boyd) on large projected arb salaries. Given that the Tigers ran out a $200MM roster as recently as 2017, it’s easy to see the current payroll swelling in order to fling open the team’s competitive window.
Owing to this financial flexibility and a middle-infield that collectively posted a sub-.700 OPS last season, it’s understandable why the team would zero in on the solutions presented on the open market. Complicating this approach, however, is that Detroit has a very young rotation that posted middling run-prevention numbers last year.
The high-upside group of starters is likely to tap into some of its potential with more experience, but there’s validity in surrounding this pitching core with more proven commodities. After all, even if the team is hopeful each of Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal, and Matt Manning take a step forward, certain rotation-wide stats like a 4.66 FIP (4.17 ERA) and a low 18.8% strikeout rate portray a staff that is very much headed for regression.
Those three youngsters, of course, were not the only members of this past season’s rotation. Both Boyd and Spencer Turnbull soaked up innings for Detroit in 2021, providing some of the best numbers the pitching staff had to offer. Unfortunately, both players saw their productive seasons end prematurely. Boyd pitched to a personal-best 3.89 ERA across 15 starts for the team before being shut down to undergo forearm surgery that looks likely to lead to him being let go.
The 29-year-old Turnbull was amidst an even stronger season. Through eight starts and 50 innings, the right-hander posted a 2.88 ERA with superb command and ground-ball tendencies, to say nothing of the no-hitter he twirled against Seattle in May. News broke that Turnbull would require Tommy John surgery in July and, similar to Boyd, will likely miss the majority of the 2022 season. While the injury-created voids in next year’s rotation are far from ideal, one silver lining is that Detroit will at least maintain control of Turnbull through the 2024 season (barring changes to the service time structure in the next CBA).
Taking a two-pronged approach to the free agent market makes perfect sense then, since the Tigers can invest just about any level of resources to upgrade their middle infield and then use another chunk of their payroll to buttress their rotation. Detroit has already been linked to a number of mid-rotation starters, giving them multiple avenues to make a splash this offseason.
Really hope it’s Story. Shouldn’t cost as much as the younger options and the Tigers seem to be valuing defense over offense (Barnhart). Yes the bat might come down coming from Coors to Comerica but the defense should be there for several more years and he will fight nicely in that 2 hole hitting In front of Torkelson for the years to come.
I made the prediction last year when the Tigers hired AJ Hinch that they will sign Carlos Correa to be the shortstop! I live in Detroit but i am a Yankees fan since 1990! I do believe The Detroit Tigers sign Carlos Correa and get pitching and going all in this offseason! Time to spend the money! Perfect offseason for it!
Appreciate.the prediction, but between him likely being THE most expensive player in FA, and being one of the Players that threw Hinch under the bus, I don’t expect the Tigers to sign him. Semien or Story look like better fits as it won’t take the years.that Correa would require.
What’s your source for any player throwing Hinch under the bus?
Hinch was suspended for a year for the actions of his players. Correa was one of them. The players didn’t get suspended. Hinch was their fall guy.
Hinch was leagues fall guy actually. Manfred willingly gave players immunity
Hinch getting in trouble for the actions of his players is not the same as Correa “throwing him under the bus.” Saying Correa was one of the guys who threw him under the bus implies that Correa publicly blamed him for the scandal.
No, it was the MLBPA who gave the players immunity, Mandred had his hands tied up there
My guess is Detroit would be better off waiting another year or two before jumping full force into the free agent market. I know they have money to spend but they might be better off waiting until their young pitchers and hitters like Spencer Torkelson have matured a little more and have enough experience to at least get them to the playoffs on their own. By that time the Muggy Cabrera contract would actually be expired and it would give Detroit an extra $30M a year to spend on payroll on top of what they already have.
Detroit is still in a better spot than a lot of other teams with payroll space. In theory the Tigers at least should or could have a strong young core to be the foundation for free agent additions in the very near future. It makes a lot more sense for them to spend than a team like the Cubs. I keep hearing Cubs fans say they want the team to spend so they can win since the payroll is so low. Who do the Cubs have like Torkelson or pitchers like Casey Mize to pair up with those free agents? The Tigers would probably be better holding off a season or two before they really strike but at least they aren’t expecting the free agents to do it almost all on their own in a short period of time. The young guys give them a long window which helps a lot. Trying to win it once over a span of several years is very feasible. Trying to push all your chips in on one or two years while expecting players like Wilson Contreras and Kyle Hendrix to play foundational pieces right before they leave rarely ever works out at all. Sorry if this came across as a Cubs post. It fits for every team. They were just the team that came to mind who has a very low payroll but unlike Detroit has no real foundation of young players to support the free agents many fans want them to buy.
The people that want the cubs to spend a ton of money this offseason became fans in 2015.
Tigers need to spend this offseason. They don’t have an SS in the system that’s an obvious fit. Kreidler projects as a 45. Mize & Skubal already have a couple of seasons under their belt. They’ll be Super 2 next yr. With Greene & Tork coming up next season, mid-May at the latest, all the top prospects will be up and the team’s window will be opening. Makes much more sense for them to sign an SS long term vs a starter. They need a bridge starter for a couple of years until Turnbull is back and even Boyd, assuming he’s non-tendered & re-signed. That leaves CF as the primary question mark with 3-4 prospects to battle it out. Bottom line, they’ll need to go FA for an SS and this is year to do that.
I can see going for a long term free agent shortstop since there are so many available but that’s about all I would do. They could hold off for a year and just go after Trea Turner next offseason. He’s probably the best of the bunch. Turnbull would be back by then and Miggy would be a year closer to being off the books. The Young guys would have more experience, too.
I’m not big on spending money in anticipation of minor leaguers performing well when they come up. Wait until they actually do it so you can save money for when they are truly ready.
If your goal is to actually win a World Series instead of just making the playoffs the fastest and surest way to do it is by making sure your cheap young core can get you to the playoffs on their own. After that, the free agent additions stand a really good chance to push you over the top.
I know the Tigers would probably have to start a bum at SS next season but it would only be one season. Small price to pay for a better chance of winning it all if you ask me. Considering it’s very unlikely the Tigers are the 2022 WS Champs anyway, I would rather save the money now and be better in 2023 with Trea Turner at shortstop and more money to spend to go along with the youngsters having more experience and Turnbull being healthy.
There won’t be any SS in next two years in FA at or even near Correa’s level. And it doesn’t matter if we have to give him 8+ years anyway if we sign them this year or in two.
I don’t think they are going to let Trea Turner hit the market.
I agree on waiting. There is a right time to come out of a rebuild. This is not that time.
You didn’t even mention Ryan Kriedler, a great shortstop that is also budding as a hitter. Waiting a year will also give them time to decide it Kreidler is the shortstop of the future before blowing $300 million on one of this years top FA’s. If it works out with Kriedler (and I happen to think it will), they can use that money elsewhere and really bolster the team.
If it were me, I would spend on a starting pitcher in the mid-level, the John Gray, Anthony DeClafani, Eduardo Rodriquez level. Then if there’s enough money left maybe look at the Baez, Story end of the top SS market.
You might as well roll with what you’ve got if you’re thinking about signing Baez. Good defense with a high strike out rate sounds like 90% of the players in the minors.
Do you not value elite power at all? And do you really think strikeouts are that huge a deal? One out is still one out. You’re tripping if you don’t think he’s a top 10 shortstop in the game right now.
okay now that i look at it probably more like top 15
A strikeout doesn’t give you a chance to advance runners. A strikeout doesn’t induce a defensive error. I’m of the belief that high strikeout hitters slump more often and regress faster as their age advances.
I’m a put the ball in play kind of guy.
There is going to be a reunion with AJ Hinch, Carlos Correa 10years 300M. With that young but talented staff and Torkelson on the way, the Tiger may be contenders in the next 2 or 3 years.
“portray a staff that is very much headed for regression” huh? Maybe that’s what the analytics suggest, but with young pitchers who are so highly regarded and learning their craft, it is premature. It’s only their 2nd or 3rd years. Too often fans and media expect young highly regarded professional athletes to step in right away and dominate, and if not, they’re ready to cast them aside. Not every heralded pitcher is going to do that. Look at Verlander and Scherzer early on; they took their lumps, but learned along the way to become the lock hall of famers they are today. I do agree this team needs middle infield and rotation help or they will not contend, but I don’t necessarily believe Mize, Manning, and Skubal will regress.
I’m with you barney. It’s assumed that the minors are meant for development, but some folks think that stops when players hit the majors
Too often fans expect that young players are going to improve just because they’re young.
Agreed. Looking at full year stats for young players is foolish. Splits are far more informative. Skubal dropped his WHIP in the 2nd half to 1.088 & increased his SO/W to 6.56. Manning almost doubled his K rate. Mize was consistent but was also on strict innings limit at the end of the season so good outings were ended early. They’ll be fine. Only question is where exactly their ceiling ends up.
I sure hope they don’t sign anyone to a $250 million contract, that’s just too much risk pinned to one player, and they’d be overpaying for decline seasons.
I think Correa should be a pass. He’s going to cost too much. (Not that it’s my money being spent, but a contract like that bogs down the team too much)
Best options: Story or Seager
I would not understand it if they signed Semien, he plays 2B.
Baez is also more of a 2B, and his plate approach is terrible, exactly what the Tigers do not need. He would be the most disappointing signing of the bunch.
And Taylor is not an everyday SS and probably not worth whatever overpay they’d need to give him.
If a team is giving out a huge contract, it should be to Robbie Ray. We need a powerful lefty ace.
If they wanted a heavily seasoned veteran to lead the staff and didn’t want to break the bank, Greinke seems like he would be a good fit.
Semien and Baez have played mostly SS the last few years and both are fantastic defensively at the position, so I do not understand your hesitancy to sign them. Semien didn’t move to 2nd base until last year and Baez was only playing 2nd due to Lindor. Your opinion on both of them seem like you didn’t pay attention to them at all until this season.
I agree with most of your post outside of that point. Especially the Grenike signing to lead a young rotation.
I like the idea of Zack Greinke going to DET but not Justin Verlander.. Greinke is pitching.
It makes no sense DET acquires a high priced defensive minded SS when they get that at a lower price. I was hoping they sign Adeiny Hechavarria
Uh, ….
You do know Semien played SS his whole career until last season he played 2B in Toronto?
Semien has been in the league 9 years, he’s been a ss 6 of those, 3b twice and 2b once.
He’s been an average to above average defender all of those years, no matter the position.
The blue jays moved him to second because bichette was playing short.
Seager will cost about the same as Correa. Better bat but his days at shortstop are numbered. Semien and Baez are shortstops who can excel at other positions.
A mid-level SP to look at is Alex Wood, a lefty who throws grounders. A shortstop and someone like Wood would be a good off-season. A corner OF also works since there are so many affordable ones available. Otherwise, keep improving with an eye on 2023 being the year they compete for a post-season spot.
Get Cahna before CHW does
Seager is not signing for 250 with the Tigers. That’s money he can easily get from the Yankees or Dodgers
We’ll see what the Tigers do. We really have no idea what their budget is, only that Chris Ilitch said they would spend. I have my doubts until I see what the Tigers actually do. Would love to see them get Correa or Story.
Story, buyer beware. His #s outside of Coors ain’t all that. No way I’m going with Story with all the other options.
Agree on Story’s Coors inflated numbers but it totally depends on what he wants. If his AAV or total deal is 2/3rds or less of Correa or Seager he might be interesting. His away career OPS is .752 so projecting an .800 OPS for the new contract is reasonable. That plus his defense is worth a solid contract, just not one similar to Correa or Seager.
Why? Why does everyone seem to want ILLICH to spend money just because he has it.
Invest in the team wisely.
No need to spend just to spend.
What is Al thinking?
I hope Al doesn’t think like these writers.
Can any of you figure out expert sudukos? It’s all easy. Basic logics.
Strategies, not throwing money at it! If Al Avila is even considering any of this, if I owned the team, I would take away the car keys……
Why? Detroiters buy Little Caesars pizzas and then the Illitchs spend that money on the Red Wings and Tigers. It’s the law.
In all fairness their pizza is crap
Boo
I think Taylor on a 4 year deal. If Kreidler works out over the next couple of years you move Taylor to another position. If not trade and get Elvis Andres for a year while Kreidler develops and spend all money on Starters
Better be careful over here, you’re making too much sense!
Kreidler in Nico Goodrum 2.0. He projects as a nice sub. He’s not the future at SS. The Tigers have more starters in the system and Turnbull & Boyd hurt. They need a veteran for a couple years ala Kenny Rogers in 2006. What they don’t have anywhere is a reliable SS or an obvious All Star (yet). If they didn’t plan on signing an SS to a long term deal this offseason they’d have taken Meyer in the draft.
This is just a pipe dream to get the fans excited about the tigers. There is no way the tigers will sign him. If they do they could have spent there money on a few other lower cost free agents. I’d really hate to see the them being saddled with another long term contract no one seems be productive for the full term
What is the other long term contract? They signed Miggy as a 32yr old. Correa is 26
He’s talking about Miggy being signed to a long term contract, and not being worth it. And he’s right.
Ok? Miggy wasn’t worth it because he was extended at 32, not 26 like Correa. Past poor contracts shouldn’t stop you from making good ones now
Fair point, 26 is a better age to invest than 32. Ten years is still a very long time, if he gets a contract of that length.
So you think Mike Trout’s deal is a bad one?
Exactly. The long term contract they signed with 25 yr old Miggy worked out just fine. Nobody mentions that one.
Cabrera’s contract was a gift to the City of Detroit by late owner Mike Illich. He wanted Cabrera to be a Tiger for the rest of his career at whatever it cost. Those of us that know that are thankful for Cabrera and Illich. Living legend playing right here in Detroit.
I would like to see Detroit sign Baez for SS. He can move over if Kreidler turns out to be the real deal in a season or two. Then, sign Chris Taylor to be their super utility guy. As far as pitching, I’d love to see them get Gray and DeSclafini. Only would lose one pick for QO compensation. Looking forward to see how Wentz and Faedo do in their comebacks in the minors this season. The one troubling thing I’ve noticed is they think their bullpen is ok as it is. I’m not as confident in that group as AA and the gang are.
Lol
I wouldn’t be in any hurry. Let other teams spend the mega bucks. Once a few big bidders are out then make your bid. I wouldn’t want to give any of these guys 200 million.
I realize the absurdity of what I’m about to say, but I’ll do it anyway. I feel a couple are worth more than 200 mil. Will they ultimately be paid for decline years at the end? Yes. The system how it is now, is stacked against the players. When they are young, they are paid, often grossly, under market value. Now, when they hit the open market, everyone complains about paying for a few seasons of decline on the back end of the deals. How is that fair? I often side with the owners, but on this topic I stand firmly with the players.
The Tigers are a rising team, but if you’re in the shoes of one of the top SS’s, you’re looking for a bit more of a sure thing than hoping the Tigers rebuild will work. It’s unlikely the Tigers will be offering the most money. Correa has a history with Hinch, but Hinch also has an opt out in his contract if a big team comes calling. Correa isn’t going to Detroit because his former manager is there.
Not aware that Hinch has an opt out. Doubt that he would use it, anyway. Detroit keeps their managers, and pays them well. Media isn’t cut throat in Detroit. Its a good gig.
He doesn’t.
Detroit has never outbid anyone for free-agents? Yeah, sure…
Detroit is one of the few teams that actually has room for a big long term contract. Their existing contracts expire in 2 years which leaves them room to extend their prospects, even with a Correa deal. The Yankees sign Correa they have no room to sign Judge when he hits FA in a couple years. That’s not a decision to make lightly. Similar situations with other big teams. The Tigers are expected to sign someone before the CBA expires because they’ve already identified their targets, what it will realistically cost ($250-300 million) and agreed they need to do it. Question is who they sign.
Tatis is not available. Thanks
They essentially only have two more seasons to pay Miggy.. no way he finishes top 10 in MVP voting to get that 30 million contract to vest.
Tiger fans: what would you say for a trade for a SS and SP with the Dbacks? Nick Ahmed (2 years of control $8M and then $11M), plus Caleb Smith for Michael Fulmer?
Yes
I’d jump on it.
I like to see a trade for a SS. No room for Gleybor Torres in NY. Probably get him cheap since they are down on his defense.
Are there any actual sources saying that the Tigers want Correa or that Correa wants to sign with the Tigers? I know they have Hinch and a need at SS, but I personally can’t see why Correa would ever want to leave Houston. They drafted him 1st overall, he’s had all of his success there, and the team has been to 3 World Series in the past 5 years. It also wouldn’t make sense for Houston to let him walk, since, unless you brought in someone else, you’d probably be relying on an untested rookie like Jeremy Pena at 2B on a roster that already has a lot of question marks (CF, SP depth, Bullpen). Furthermore, the connection with Hinch hasn’t exactly pulled other Astros towards Detroit, as Springer had the opportunity to sign there last offseason and went for Toronto instead. I think Dusty Baker is more liked by the players than Hinch was, meaning if Correa was choosing just over managers he’d likely choose Houston. Detroit is an up and coming team, but Houston has been competitive for a long time now and doesn’t seem to be slowing down. They also have Carlos’s little brother, J.C., in their minor leagues, further enticing him to stay. I don’t think Carlos is going anywhere.
He might not want to leave, but Houston isn’t going to give him 10 years and $350m and another team is.
I just hope Al Avila’s big foray into free agency this off season goes better than the last time the Illitch family opened the check book for him in the 15-16 off season. He signed Mike Pelfrey, Jordan Zimmerman, & Justin Upton–all flops.
Their poor performances basically forced the Tigers into their current rebuild.
Still not sure what to think about Jon Gray. Even after all the Rockies time.
The numbers say what they say but in person the guy appeared close to dominating. At times he did. Saw him a lot. Never saw a dud game out of him. He should send me tickets.
I’m sure he’d like a better club, but he’d be an interesting Detroit addition. I don’t think they get him given he will have better options.
Unless he picks Detroit and luckily cashes in now that it’s time to start spreading around the Jordan Zimmermann savings. Perfect choice – give it all to a faded NL veteran righty.
Baez has no draft compensation attached, which should appeal to Detroit…
I get that SS is a big need for the Tigers but nobody is talking about the fact they could use an outfielder too. I’d argue going after Castellanos to boost the lineup, Baez to get a SS without breaking the bank and a Desclafani or Steven Matz type starter is a much better allocation of resources than spending roughly the same amount of money just to get one of Correa or Seager. Also have wonder where the franchise would be right now if they pulled the trigger on Michael Fulmer and Matthew Boyd trades about 3-4 years ago.
Badoo and Riley Greene should make up two-thirds of a formidable outfield. If Daz Cameron doesn’t pan out, they will need a third. It might be an internal candidate (like if Derek Hill steps up) or a future trade or signing. Not the biggest need now though.
Grossman is your 3rd.
Baddoo, green, and Grossman. If your thinking OF because one of Baddoo or Green doesn’t pan out I get it, but OF is not an obvious need like SS and pitching
OF isn’t a huge need for sure, they have pieces there which is why I think Castellanos is a better fit than Starling Marte would be since they could use Castellanos as a DH about 20-30% of the season. But I wouldn’t want to be relying on Riley Greene to have immediate success, Baddoo to replicate his past season and still have an unsettled third spot. Maybe a Mark Canha and Marcus Semien combo would work better than Castellanos and Baez but either way if I were a Tigers fan I’d want another legit outfielder to safeguard against Greene’s adjustment to MLB and injuries.
Are you high? OF is the last thing they need. We have Badoo, Grossman, Hill, Reyes, Cameron, with Greene on the way. Not to mention several other guys who can play there,
Al A, please listen. Sign Marcus Semien and Robbie Ray!!! Combined, that will add about $50M per year to the payroll, which isn’t bad, and will perform at a high level. Backload the contracts with the more significant years starting in 3, when Miggy is off the books. This will allow you to sign another mid-tier starter, which will take the pressure off the young guns. That would be a successful off-season IMO!
Missed out on Willy Adames trade last year.
Could be the Tigers trade for a SS and not put all those dollars into one place on one guy.
What about possibly swinging a trade for Dejong? Cost effective, power bat, plus defender. Could get him from STL for a low level prospect as they have a crowded middle infield.
Dejong was below the Mendoza line this year. He would be a stopgap only if they believed Ryan Kreidler was the ling-term answer at SS.
True. Looks like he’s dealt with some nagging injuries over the last 2 years. But he potentially provides 25-30 HR power and good defense at a team friendly price. Allowing the tigers to allocate their resources in other areas. A pitcher and OF. Signing SS for 30-40 mil a year will not make them a threat to win the division. They are still a couple of years away, in my opinion. I understand they have a ton of cap room, but long term deals for huge money, seem to fail more often than they succeed.
Kreisler = Trade Bait
I share your intrigue with Dejong, just to a much lesser degree. But I’d rather bid aggressively on Correa than on Castellanos. Casty will also cost a bundle (but a smaller one), hated Comerica and thrived after the trade.
Your GoLions handle bags the question: Where would you like them to go? I haven’t wasted my time or my money on that team in years. As long as the stadium is full and eyeballs are watching on TV, the Ford family has no incentive to do anything than continue their 63 year reign of terror and futility.
I have an off-season that is similar but different. While many here seem to have 2 similar opinions I’d like to see a slight twist.
I don’t like giving up draft picks so I’m of the feeling they should go after only 1 of the guys who received at QO.
I feel like Story is that guy and here is why. His numbers may fall once he leaves Colorado but his speed and defense play anywhere. He will still get plenty of doubles and perhaps quite a few triples. Semien is my second choice because he can move around the infield and cover 2b if Schoop were to get injured or Detroit needed to move Schoop to 1b for an extended period of time. Perhaps even if Detroit felt he could transition back to 2b if they felt in a couple of years there was another option internally at SS.
As for Pitchers, well they need a couple. I like Grey, Rodin, and Matz. Wenzhou and Fadeo will likely not be a part of the equation this year along with redBull. They will have a young rotation and I feel like Mize and Skubal are locks and unsure about Manning. They need at least 1, maybe 2.
My wrinkle comes in that I would also like them to go after Kris Bryant. He is 30 but he also provides a good bat and can play 3b/OF. I’m definitely ok with the thought of him coming in and giving them that extra flexibility.
At the end of the day they’re going to spend 40-60 million annually this off-season. Those 3 or 4 fill in a lot of needs
Correa. 10/325 area. Maybe there’s an option or two to make the 10 yrs.
They need 1 starter in FA that is a long term fit ( I like Disco best for value/performance).. They have Red Bull back in 23, they have Wentz and Faedo working through the back end of surgery rehab and should be available this year. Then they have fungible arms like Tyler Alexander and maybe bring back the strong performing Wily Peralta. There’s your 5 and 6 starters this year and probably one emerges as the guy for 6th behind Disco and Red BUll + the 3 Amigos…or its a bridge to Jobe.
Couple veteran 8th inning arms that can committee close w Cisneros Fulmer and Soto, guys like Givens and Hand and such….yeah, that’s a big win for an offseason.
They will have some cap room to wiggle in the future to add another better bat to replace Grossman. and then Miggy’s money can cover a lot of the raises the young arms will get in a couple years. Between Paredes, Hittin Harold Castro and a couple of the young OF like Daz and Meadows and Hill + Haase they have the makings of a positive bench
Paul DeJong will make a comeback but STL is counting on it and won’t trade him. I hope the Tigers can land him if he is on the market.
I believe the Tigers have no interest in Nicholas Castellanos. He doesn’t field well and the Tigers are stuck with Miguel Cabrera through 2023.
My first choice all along has been for Tigers to sign Chris Taylor to hold the SS seat warm for Ryan Kreidler. He hit 22 home runs and 272 BA in AAA last year.
Kreidler would be at least a 50 or 55 rated player if they take his increasing offense into account.
Kreidler’s lowest scouting grade score was his hitting. His hitting is dramatically improved.
Taylor could then be moved to 2B or OF or just be played as a super utility guy like
Ben Zobrist.
I would not object if the Tigers sign Correa to a “back loaded deal” since Cabrera’s contract comes off the books after the ’23 season.
Tigers should Resign Boyd. Dominant LHSPs are in high demand.
Extend Fulmer.
Tigers should m
ake a bid for one of the A’s young starters.
Extend Fulmer for sure. Kreidler is a possibility so by getting Baez, they can play Kreidler at 3b and trade JCandy before he becomes a free agent. Candy is solid but if they sign a SS over 3 years, where is Kreidler going to play if he’s ready in 2023?
Taylor will cost too much as a super utility player and we already have a couple. We have a young, cheap, talented crowded outfield, the last thing we need is to take away playing time from them.
Fulmer has had too many injuries and is still inconsistent. Boyd is far from a dominant pitcher Dominate pitchers put up zeros – Boyd has career era of 5. You truly have no clue what you’re talking about.
I don’t believe the Tigers need to sign Correa and create another huge barrier to add players in 2023-2028 which I am calling the “World Series” 5 year possible years. They need to get a SS on a 3 to 5 year commitment under 20 million a year. This is why Javier Baez fits better. 5 years 100 million & he still has upside with his bat.