Detroit Tigers Rumors: 5 Free Agents Signings That Can Take The Tigers From Worst To First
The Detroit Tigers have plenty of money to spend this off-season. The question is, does Tigers owner Christopher Ilitch want to?
Tigers fans know his father, the late, great Mike Ilitch wanted nothing more than to see his team win a World Series title – and he spared no expense in trying to reach that goal before he passed away in 2017.
The Tigers could be on the verge of a break out season in 2021. Yes, that is what I believe. This team has great young talent in players like Jacoby Jones and Jeimer Candelario – and MLB.com ranks the Tigers farm system at No. 1.
Detroit Tigers Youthful Big 3
Pitcher Casey Mize along with Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene have the potential to be superstars according to Baseball America.
Mize, who played at Auburn, was selected as the first overall pick in the 2018 MLB draft. Riley Greene was drafted fifth overall by the Tigers in 2019, while Spencer Torkelson was the overall No. 1 pick in 2020.
Mize has the stuff to be the Tigers No. 1 starter and Green and Tork have speed, power, and smooth gloves.
Yes, the future looks bright in Motown, but that future should not be 3 years off. Detroit could make some serious noise in 2021 by adding a few key pieces this off season. If I were playing GM, here is how I would attempt to improve this team right here and right now.
Last season, the Tigers signed first baseman CJ Cron, second baseman Jonathan Schoop, and catcher Austin Romine.
My first move as GM would be to offer them all a deal. These guys have plenty left in the tank – especially Schoop. The Tigers NEED a second baseman and at 29, Schoop could fill that void for the next 3-4 seasons.
Cron and Romine are a bit different. With Candelario most likely going back to his normal position of 3rd base in 2021, Cron could be the Tigers’ main guy at first for the next two seasons while Torkelson develops.
Hopefully, Tork (and Greene) will get some experience in 2021 with the big club. Not having any minor league play last year due to COVID-19 definitely hurt these guys getting some experience. Either way, the odds of either of them being on the Opening Day roster next spring is slim.
With Romine, I would bring him back to be the No. 1, while the duo of Grayson Greiner and Eric Haase make up a nice behind the plate battery.
Now it’s splash time!
Offer sheets to left fielder Eddie Rosario and starting pitcher Trevor Bauer would be made.
Rosario is a stud, period. The 29-year-old has speed, power, and a better than average arm. Rosario would also be an upgrade over Christian Stewart in left.
Over the last four seasons, Rosario has averaged 28 home runs and nearly 90 RBI. The left-handed slugger would have most likely put up huge numbers again last season if the schedule wasn’t limited to just 60 games.
The former Twins star hit 13 homers and drove in 42 runs in just 57 games for Minnesota in 2020.
Finally, Trevor Bauer. Adding the hard throwing righty to a staff of youth that has a ton of potential is exactly what the Tigers need.
The 29-year-old Bauer would become the new No. 1 with Boyd, Mize and Tarik Skubal rounding of the top-4 in the rotation.
Bauer can eat up innings, provide leadership and he brings a passion to the game. Bauer finished 2020 with a 5-4 record, but he had an ERA of 1.73 and a WHIP of 0.795.
