Detroit Tigers: Three Players Who Could Improve Bench

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May 5, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) makes a catch while colliding with center fielder Andrew Romine (17) in the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus hasn’t received the best production from the team’s bench this season. Luckily, there are a number of players who could help the team.

Detroit Tigers bench players haven’t exactly lit the world on fire this season.

Mike Aviles has hit just .121 in 37 plate appearances, while Bobby Wilson wasn’t all that better, posting a .154 batting average in his brief, 15 plate-appearance, stint in Motown.

While Aviles and Wilson’s batting averages aren’t anything to write home about, the numbers actually get worse. Tyler Collins managed a .100 batting average in 20 plate appearances, while Andrew Romine has managed a .063 batting average in 20 plate appearances.

Sadly, there are no typos there. Those are the players’ actual batting averages. This is all without mentioning James McCann, who has posted a mere .125 average in 52 plate appearances.

Luckily, help could be on the way—that is, if the Tigers make the right roster move.

Quality players hit the waiver wire nearly on a regular basis.

Detroit clearly needs bench help. Steven Moya has gotten off to an encouraging start with two doubles, a triple and an RBI in four games. However, more help is needed. The Tigers aren’t going to make much noise if the team’s bench is comprised of hitters with batting averages hovering around .100.

Here are three players that could help the Detroit Tigers.

May 12, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves third baseman Gordon Beckham (7) gets high fives in the dugout after scoring against the Philadelphia Phillies during the seventh inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Gordon Beckham INF, Atlanta Braves

A former first-round pick who was previously one of the game’s best young talents, Gordon Beckham can still help a team.

Beckham burst onto the scene with the Chicago White Sox in 2009, hitting .270 with 63 RBI, 28 doubles, 14 home runs, seven stolen bases and a triple in 103 games.

Despite the strong start to his career, the infielder has yet to post similarly strong numbers. From 2010 to 2014, the veteran only hit .241 and averaged 10 home runs and 44 RBI per season.

This eventually led Chicago to deal him to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim down the stretch in 2014. Beckham failed to stick in Anaheim, and even returned to the White Sox in 2015 before eventually hitting the open market. Atlanta signed him this past offseason, and the former Angel has responded with some solid numbers in limited action.

In 44 plate appearances, the infielder is hitting .295 with seven walks, six RBI, five runs scored and four doubles. He would give the Tigers some much-needed offensive help backing up Ian Kinsler and Jose Iglesias.

Incumbents Andrew Romine and Mike Aviles haven’t exactly lit the world on fire from an offensive standpoint, making Beckham a fit. What’s more, the current Atlanta player can log innings at second base, shortstop and third base.

At 29, he isn’t part of Atlanta’s future. Additionally, seeing as the Braves have already dealt Jhoulys Chacin for a prospect, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Beckham dealt. Detroit could offer a pitching prospect like Jeff Ferrell, Myles Jaye or Jose Valdez in return.

May 5, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Dustin Ackley (29) catches a fly ball in the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Baltimore Orioles won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

Dustin Ackley INF/OF, New York Yankees

Like Gordon Beckham, Dustin Ackley is a former first-round pick who plays multiple positions. Like Gordon Beckham, Dustin Ackley could help the Detroit Tigers.

The next player taken after Stephen Strasburg in the 2009 draft, Ackley flashed the potential to be a .300-type hitter at the Major League level. He got off to a strong start in his rookie year, hitting .273 with 16 doubles, seven triples, six home runs, six stolen bases and 36 RBI in just 90 games.

However, Ackley failed to improve upon that with the team that drafted him, the Seattle Mariners. Seattle moved him around the diamond, from second base to the outfield. This probably didn’t help his development, but what it did was make him a versatile defender.

The 28-year-old can start at first base, second base and at all three outfield positions.

While the former Mariner’s defensive flexibility is valuable, his hitting hasn’t been so this season. In 48 plate appearances, Ackley is batting just .125 with a .375 OPS. While those numbers aren’t the most encouraging, the utility player does have seven walks compared to just five strikeouts. The former second-overall pick also hit .288 down the stretch for New York last season. In other words, he’s much better than his current from suggests.

If the Yankees continue to struggle this season, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the team offload some assets.

Given his current production, a lower-level prospect would seem about right in terms of a return.

Mar 7, 2016; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Casey McGehee (31) at bat during a spring training game against the New York Mets at Tradition Field. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Casey McGehee INF, Toledo Mud Hens

Already in the minor league system, Casey McGehee is one of the better depth pieces in the Detroit Tigers’ organization.

Currently with the Mud Hens, McGehee spent Spring Training with the Tigers and was a productive contributor. The former Brewer posted a .316 batting average, eight runs scored, six RBI, a pair of doubles and a home run in just 38 at-bats. He also walked seven times compared to just four strikeouts.

The case can be made that if Nick Castellanos were not on the roster, McGehee probably could have made the team.

So far in the regular season, the corner infielder has continued to produce at a solid rate. So far in 34 games for Toledo, the veteran is hitting .264 with a .329 on-base percentage. He’s also added nine RBI, five doubles, two stolen bases and a home run.

Right off the bat (pun!) McGehee would be an immediate offensive upgrade over the likes of Aviles and Romine.

Able to play both first and third base, the 33-year-old would likely force one of Romine or Aviles off the roster. However, the trade off may be worth it—especially if McGehee can rediscover his 2014 form.

Next: What's Going on With Miggy?

During the 2014 season with Miami, the infielder hit .287 and posted a .355 on-base percentage while chipping in with 76 RBI, 56 runs scored and 29 doubles.

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Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus hasn’t received the best production from the team’s bench this season. Luckily, there are a number of players who could help the team.

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