Detroit Tigers: Outfield Surplus a Good Problem to Have

Thanks to the depth it created, the Justin Upton signing will benefit the Detroit Tigers now and later.

When the Detroit Tigers signed Justin Upton to a massive contract, the team resolved the glaring issue in left field. Before Upton came on board, some combination of Tyler Collins, Anthony Gose and Mike Aviles were slated to man the position.

In addition to improving the team in the short and long term, the signing of the former San Diego outfielder also gives the team significant roster flexibility moving forward.

Should all go to plan, Upton and J.D. Martinez will likely patrol the corners in Comerica Park for the better part of the next decade. That leaves one outfield position open for the future. Gose could claim the position as his for a long period of time. However, the key word in that sentence is “could.”

The outfielder didn’t exactly light the world on fire in 140 games last season, with a .254 batting average and 145 strikeouts. He brings definite value in the running game and on defense, but the 25-year-old Gose doesn’t seem like the long-term answer in center.

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Cameron Maybin could fit the bill, but he has a $9 million team option for next season (with a $1 million buyout). Detroit seems unlikely to commit that kind of money to him in the future with all the cash tied up elsewhere on the roster, not to mention the outfield.

Top prospect Derek Hill seems the best bet to be the centerfielder for the Detroit Tigers in five years. That leaves a number of surplus outfielders.

Prospects

In terms of the current roster, that means Collins, Gose and Wynton Bernard. Down in the minors, players like Steven Moya, Mike Gerber and Christin Stewart could be without future roles.

All this gives the Tigers flexibility in building the team’s roster.

Should Upton and Martinez stay in Detroit long term, it lessens the need for players like Moya and Stewart. Obviously someone will have to replace Victor Martinez eventually at designated hitter, but that job could fall to Miguel Cabrera, Nick Castellanos or another player.

Should the Tigers desperately need a starting pitcher at a future trade deadline, the team now has ammunition with outfield prospects.

Even if both Moya and Stewart are flipped for a boost elsewhere on the roster, Detroit still has players like Gerber and JaCoby Jones in the minors.

Gerber’s batting average has hovered around .300 during his entire minor-league career. In addition to an ability to hit for average, the outfielder brings a solid blend of power, speed and defense. Jones, meanwhile, could be the next Ben Zobrist given his defensive flexibility, athleticism and power.

Thanks to Justin Upton’s arrival in Motown, the Detroit Tigers now have the outfield depth to contend now and later. What’s more, the team can delve into that depth to make additions when needed. The Tigers are in a perfect position where the outfield is concerned.