Mike Hessman granted Free Agency

Sometimes the game of Major League Baseball can be a rough one. For Mike Hessman, the push to Major League Baseball has been a rough one.  A hitter that has always had power, Hessman has struggled to find consistency. Last season Hessman hit .217 with 23 homers and 30 doubles.  The problem though was his strikeouts at the AAA level. Hessman struck out 171 times and led the International League.

At the end of the season, The Mud Hens allowed Hessman to play all nine positions in the final game of the season. This year, it looks like the Tigers will not be finding him a spot on the field. It looks like he is heading toward a different organization.  He has spent 14 seasons in the minor leagues, and has over 300 minor league home runs. At 31, there is a lot left in the tank. There has to be a feel too that he can make one more push towards the Major Leagues. A chance it doesn’t seem he is going to get in Detroit.

I believe that Hessman can be a type of slugger that Russell Branyan and Marcus Thames have become in Major League Baseball. Maybe someone you don’t want to start everyday, but he provides depth off the bench and can be a productive hitter, especially off the bench in the Major Leagues. I would not be surprised to see the former Olympian accepting an invitation to a National League Spring Training and make the Major League roster.

Either Way, you hope that a guy who has given so much to your organization sees success whatever the options are.

Tigers Links:

[Mack Avenue Tigers]- Kurt has an update on the AFL Prospects as well as where some other young Tigers are heading this off-season.

[Tiger Geist]- John wonders if Brian Sabean set the value of Placido Polanco.

[Tigers Den]- John Parent looks at the Shortstop Situation.

That’s all for now on the Detroit Tigers. Stay tuned. Some more news will happen…. Eventually…….