[Hrycaj]

Originally Posted by Cod

Now that the official list of free agents is out, minus option players, what big splash would you make if you were the Tigers GM for a day?

Loaded question! You would have to give me more than a day on the job! I’m kidding, I get the spirit of the question. So let’s play along. The names on my list are chosen with a few things in mind. First, I don’t think you do this without trading players but that gets to be too tough to figure out with the limited information I have. In my opinion trading players has a lot to do with relationships the front office has established with other clubs. To venture a guess at who Harris is on good working terms with around the league would be too tough to gauge. Also, in this scenario I am the boss and I have NO relationship with any organization! So I’ll just stick with the free agent list. To do that I still think you need a plan. Here is mine in a nutshell.

1. This all revolves around Tork and Greene. They have to be given time and support to develop into the players they were drafted to be. They are NOT aircraft carriers yet and to put that expectation on them is a recipe for disaster.

Although he was a -5 defensive runs saved this season I think Tork’s future is at 1B. He has shown to have really good hands (saved a number of Baez throws this year) and I think he will improve quicker at that position than he would at the hot corner.

I would be looking to move Greene to LF. He did not play a bad CF but I feel if I can add a CF, he would look good in LF

2. With the new MLB rules going into place I want to identify contact. I want guys on base as there is simply too much swing and miss in the lineup. I have always been a fan of guys that can put the ball in play and don’t strike out so the new rules fit my philosophy nicely.

3. This has to be somewhat believable. Dansby Swanson or Trea Turner are not coming to Detroit. The Tigers are not in a spot where that type of player would consider Detroit as they are currently constructed. These guys can get top dollar from contenders right now. I don’t even think the Tigers could land them if they went over asking. Also, there is zero chance that a team can sign eight or nine known free agents. So we will keep it to four players.

Sign Wilson Contreras. Although I want to for the most part want to target contact hitters, the catching position is a bit of a different animal. Backstop is probably one of the biggest needs on the club. I know the hope is Dingler sooner than later but the catching position takes longer to develop than others. Give me Contreras who has a good personality, can handle a pitching staff, and will add some much needed pop to the lineup. If Dingler does make the club, let him learn behind Contreras. Since he didn’t get dealt at the deadline last year maybe the Tigers can land him. Maybe he has a good relationship with Baez and he can help recruit. This is not a deep free agent class at the position. If the Tigers can’t sign Contreras then Christian Vazquez becomes a must.

As much as I would like to move Baez off of SS I don’t think he moves either way on the diamond unless the Tigers bring in a premier SS. He isn’t moving for Jose Iglesias. So since I already shared that I don’t think any premier SS is coming to Detroit that leaves 2B or 3B. So who is more expendable? Candelario or Schoop? I’m going to try and give Jeimer another shot. He had a career year in 2021 and a career worst in 2022. Can I get somewhere in the middle? If I can it should be better than what Schoop can provide offensively.

That mindset allows me to go after Kolton Wong. Wong is a good professional hitter that gets on base at an above-average clip. It is another left handed bat added to the lineup and he can steal a few bases. He could lead off for this team.

Now for the guy that may be stretch (actually they probably all are a stretch) is if I can trust the medicals I will overpay for Brandon Nimmo. When healthy he is an offensive catalyst. Would he come to Detroit? Who knows, but I would make the offer a difficult one to turn away from. Nimmo can play center but if the manager wants to keep Greene in center Nimmo can play either corner. Whatever, I need that bat in the lineup.

I would leave RF alone and play Carpenter and another right handed hitter and platoon it out and save my 4th signing for the rotation.

With all the injuries to the rotation this club needs a staff catalyst. I don’t know if any of these players are truly attainable but my list would begin with Carlos Rodon. I wanted him last year and I would have been right. 178 innings in today's MLB is as good as it gets. He throws strikes, he is the complete guy for me. Of course 29 other teams think so now as well. So upset they didn’t target him last season. If Rodon was gone then Martin Perez (first) and Sean Maneaa (second) both become targets. Perez is the established guy of the group but Manaea needs a solid home and Detroit could provide it. Plus I like the pitching coaches in Detroit and they could maybe iron Manaea out and get a cost efficient find. If all other options were off the table I would give a hard look at Tyler Anderson. While a bit older he is another lefty that can give you innings and throws strikes. He has never had a chance to pitch toward the top of the rotation so that may be a selling point. I would also consider taking a flier on Zach Eflin if all else fails but the double knee surgeries concern me with pitchers. Safe to say though I think this team needs an arm in the rotation.

So here is what the positional lineup looks like:

C Contreras R
1B Tork R
2B Wong L
SS Baez R
3B Candy S
LF Greene L
CF Nimmo L
RF Carpenter L/ Castro? Haase? Reyes?
DH Cabrera R (Because they are committed to letting him ride out on his own terms)

Does this lineup win the Central? Probably not, however it is much better in terms of balance. It has a real lead off hitter in Wong, thump from Nimmo, Contreras and Baez and provides matchup problems for opposing bullpens. It doesn’t strike out as much, gets on base more and takes the pressure off Tork and Greene. The addition of a starter to the staff gives that team more length and you can still sign a few low priced bullpen arms. Maybe even bring Fulmer back.