Detroit Tigers: Best Free Agents to Improve Base Running

Detroit Tigers fans witnessed their team fall just short of the postseason during the 2016 campaign. One glaring reason Detroit was unable to qualify for the playoffs was because of poor base running.

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila needs to shore up the team’s base-running department—this much is true.

While the likes of Ian Kinsler, Cameron Maybin, Andrew Romine and Jose Iglesias posted positive base running stats, the team was weighed down by base running stats from a number of players that left much to be desired.

Victor Martinez (-11.4 BsR, -9.2 UBR) and Miguel Cabrera (-10 BsR, -6.6 UBR) graded out poorly in two major statistical categories. Additionally, James McCann (-4.0 BsR) and Nick Castellanos (-3.0 UBR) didn’t exactly win any awards with their base running.

One of Detroit’s major hurtles in improving the team’s base running is that most of their slugging lineup is set in stone. With players like Cabrera, Martinez, McCann and Castellanos locked into starting berths, the Tigers will have to look to the bench to improve the team’s base running.

While Detroit won’t become an aggressive base running team overnight, an improved bench where running is concerned may make the difference next season.

With more speed options—not to mention better base runners in general—available off the bench late in games, the Tigers may be able to win a handful of games that they normally wouldn’t have won.

As Detroit learned in 2016, a handful of games can make all the difference.

Here are some options to improve Detroit’s base running output.