The hot corner was a clear problem area for the Tigers in 2023. The club’s third basemen slashed a collective .211/.294/.323 last season, good for a 72 wRC+ that was better than only that tied with the A’s for the second-worst offensive production from the position in the majors, beating out only the Mets. In terms of fWAR, Detroit’s third basemen combined for -1.0 fWAR, tied with the Angels for bottom three in the majors ahead of the aforementioned clubs. Despite that dire situation, however, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic suggests that the Tigers may be content to enter 2024 relying on their internal options at the position.
That strategy could be more sensible than it may seem. Top prospects Jace Jung and Colt Keith could both find themselves in the majors in 2024 after strong offensive seasons in 2023 that saw them each slug over .500 while reaching the Double- and Triple-A level, respectively, for the first time in their career. Until the club’s young infielders are ready for the show, Stavenhagen suggests that the Tigers figure to rely on Matt Vierling as their primary third baseman. Vierling slashed a respectable .261/.329/.388 across 134 games in 2023 while primarily playing the outfield, but Detroit’s acquisition of Mark Canha figures to allow Vierling more time on the infield dirt in 2024 after making 27 starts at the hot corner this past season.
One area the Tigers do hope to make an addition this offseason is the bullpen, where Stavenhagen notes the club hopes to add a left-handed reliever. The club already has southpaws Tyler Holton and Joey Wentz among their relief options for 2024, but Wentz struggled badly in 2023 with a 6.90 ERA in 105 2/3 innings of work across 25 appearances, 19 of which were starts. While Wentz posted a more respectable 4.26 ERA in 25 1/3 innings of work out of the bullpen last year, it’s easy to see why the club may want additional support from the left side headed into 2024. That’s particularly true after the club released Chasen Shreve back in August and lost Tyler Alexander on waivers to the Rays last month.
More from around MLB’s Central divisions…
- On the heels of a 91-loss season that saw his club finish dead last in the NL Central, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol is entering the final year of his contract in St. Louis. According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the sides have not discussed an extension at this point, leaving Marmol poised to enter the 2024 campaign as a lame duck. For his part, Marmol told Goold that he wasn’t concerned about the lack of security, “This industry is pretty simple,” Marmol said, “If you’re good, they keep you. If you’re not good, they don’t.” President of baseball operations John Mozeliak, meanwhile, expressed confidence in his manager entering the final year of his deal with the club, suggesting that he’s “very optimistic” that Marmol will be with the club “for a long time.”
- In conversation with reporters, including MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy, Brewers GM Matt Arnold suggested that the club views left-hander Aaron Ashby as a starting pitching option for the club in 2024. That said, Arnold was noncommittal about Ashby’s timeline for return to action following shoulder surgery, which he underwent back in April. Despite the uncertainty surrounding Ashby’s readiness for Opening Day next season, Arnold made clear that the young lefty will be “part of [the club’s] mix” when he is ready to return to action. Ashby signed a five-year extension with the Brewers partway through the 2022 season but has thrown just 31 1/3 innings for the club since then amid shoulder issues. When and if he’s healthy enough to return to the mound, Ashby figures to compete with the likes of Colin Rea and Adrian Houser for a spot in the club’s rotation alongside Corbin Burnes, Freddy Peralta, and Wade Miley.
- Sticking with the Brewers, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel relayed yesterday that while Arnold did not rule out the possibility of top catching prospect Jeferson Quero making his big league debut at some point during 2024, the club nonetheless hopes to make an addition behind the plate to serve as the primary backup to William Contreras. Quero, 21, is the only other catcher on the club’s 40-man roster following the departure for Victor Caratini, who landed with the Astros on a two-year deal yesterday. Tom Murphy, Austin Hedges and Martin Maldonado are among the catchers still available on the open market this winter.
Harris has indicated that Keith will play 2b and Jung 3b when they come up. I would expect Keith very early this year, and Jung maybe September or 2025.
I expect the Tigers to have a carousel at 3b Maton if he hits in the spring either gets traded or makes the team. They lose him waivers easily.
LOL. Marmol.
Agree. He did horrible last yr and is still around
The Tigers’ are going to run out a struggling 3B like they did Nick Maton.last season, results will be similar.
If they don’t make a move then Vierling and Ibanez will just be keeping the seat warm for Jung in September.
I like Andy Ibanez and Matt Vierling. Try anybody but Nick Maton at 3B with his .173 BA, 76 TB with ultra low fielding range.
Using anyone other than Vierling is a complete waste of time. If Kieth earns 2, let him play and hope the arm returns.
Sometimes the comments from Tiger fans here reminds of the clowns from Fansided.
Kotila here or maybe Scneedell
If it was my $$, I’m not spending a crap load on people past their prime. I suspect Tiger fans have had enough of that for the last decade.
Maton is poor. Let’s hope not
Test
Well, given that sentiment, Marmol should be fired pretty soon
This team isn’t shaping up to be any better than last season’s roster so it will be interesting to see how short of a leash he has.
The Tigers will run out some sort of combo involving Vierling, McKinstry and Ibanez to play 3B and 2B this upcoming season. Hardly going to keep the opposing teams managers up at night.
No matter how well guys like Keith, Jung, Henry-Malloy, McGonigle perform in spring training, Harris and Hinch will say “Well, we just felt like they needed more seasoning at AAA.” I mean I can already write the entire article right now today.
“We want them to get at bats. It’s important for their development.” Blah-blah-blah.
Get ready for another year of the same guys day in and day out.
They will let Keith and Malloy play. They have nothing left to prove in the minors. I can see those 3 players rotating through 3b though.
The Tigers need to sign Colton Welker and see if he can perform at 3rd base.
If the Cards have a bad April, Marmol is gone.
I don’t think so. I think they would have to have like a record below .400 winning percentage. Mo loves Marmol because he will play whoever Mo wants to play.
Tigers tied with the Angels, only they don’t have to pay Rendon 38 million, so that’s a good thing. Tigers have more than enough options for third base now. Spend the money on pitching.
I’d be willing to bet Colt Keith will be the opening day 2B.
100% agree
Marmol is safe. The front office doesn’t want the embarrassment of admitting they were wrong when they hired him. They fire him and that would be three managers let go since 18.
yeah, so Shildt (252-199) “wasn’t good’?
yeah, so reading comprehension isn’t your thing eh? My opinion on the performance of Mike Shildthead was never mentioned.
Marmol should have been let go last season. Matheny was let go while the club was one game over 500. Schlidt after four post seasons a trip to the nlcs and a manager of the year for not being a puppet. Since Larussa left the Cardinals have wanted a puppet. Marmol is the puppet. When they go out and get a real Manager you will know they are ready to win again.
Matheny .555 career with STL
Shildt .559 career with STL
Essentially the same
All those people thinking Mike Shildt was all that are the same ones who claim Matheny wasn’t
I believe matheny and schlidt were better than what we have now. The higher ups run the team and pull the puppet strings.
It’s rare that I will agree with a cardinal fan but you’re right. They 100% were.
Matheny took over a World Series team and they got worse every year under his management.
Issac Paredes for Austin meadows still does not make sense. We had a plethora of outfielders at the time and austin was on the disabled list. We still do not have a 3rd baseman.
The Tigers rarely played Isaac Peredes. Although the Tigers were “rebuilding”, they ran out mediocre veterans over their youth.
Stinks, MLB fans tolerate owners deliberately deciding to NOT field a competitive team.
IF an owner can not field a competitive team, EACH AND EVERY YEAR, maybe they shouldn’t own a team.
Just my opinion.
Mlb winter meetings much ado about nothing
If the Brewers can sign Maldonado for 1 season that would probably be a nice bridge until Quero is ready.
There has to be something else on the horizon for the Tigers. Canha and Maeda was a good start and the young guys coming up this year will help (Malloy and Keith). With the open roster spots I was sure they would pluck an arm in the Rule V for the bullpen (Cole Wilcox, JT Ginn, Angel Bastardo et al…). Hopefully the plan is to fill those spots with two names from our Christmas wish list for a starter and 3b.
And for the love of God, whatever the Rays are offering, decline
They will rob you somehow.
Maton is out of options & he changed his hitting stance & approach. He will get a shot so if he hits, he has a chance. If not, he will get traded or they lose him to waivers.
“Meanwhile” can’t be inserted mid-sentence, separated by commas. It needs to START the sentence.
The only people who think this is good for the sport, are Boras clients and Progressives who believe that players aren’t paid enough.
70 million a year… Seriously
So is Soto going to get a billion dollar contract?
Is Kershaw going to get 50 million for another year?
I’m sure Justin Verlander is wondering what could have been… He’s a better pitcher than Oh for sure
Someone here mentioned a draft forfeit. I like that idea. The Dodgers don’t get a draft until the Mets do. Sometime around 2040
Is Brandon Inge available?