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Detroit Tigers: Best Free Agents to Improve Base Running

By Ben Rosener

Aug 26, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) is tagged out by Los Angeles Angels catcher Jett Bandy (13) in the second inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 26, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) is tagged out by Los Angeles Angels catcher Jett Bandy (13) in the second inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 29, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Steve Pearce (28) is safe at first base as New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira (25) attempted to force him out during the fifth inning at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay Rays defeated the New York Yankees 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Steve Pearce (28) is safe at first base as New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira (25) attempted to force him out during the fifth inning at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay Rays defeated the New York Yankees 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Infielders

Steve Pearce
0.2 BsR
1.6 UBR

As it stands, there aren’t too many free agent infielders who can make a significant impact on the bases. However, two potential fits are Steve Pearce and Eric Sogard.

Pearce has just 13 career stolen bases to his name, and is more known for the damage he can do with the bat. However, he still turned in a positive season on the base paths in 85 games split between Tampa Bay and Baltimore.

The utility man’s 1.6 UBR ranked him ahead of current Tigers such as Andrew Romine, Erick Aybar, Anthony Gose and Tyler Collins.

In that sense, the veteran would be an upgrade to Detroit’s bench. His offensive upside doesn’t hurt either.

Since the beginning of the 2014 season, the 33-year-old has averaged 43 runs scored, 41 RBI, 17 doubles and 16 home runs while appearing in 93 games per season. He also hit .267 over the same stretch, while tallying a .347 on-base percentage. To top it all off, the former Oriole can play first base, third base, second base, left field and right field.

Eric Sogard
2.8 BsR in 2015
2.2 UBR in 2015

Injuries kept Sogard off the field in 2016, but he was a quality contributor to the A’s as recently as 2015.

In three seasons as a regular with Oakland, the infielder posted a cumulative 3.2 WAR while hitting .247. In addition to playing every infield position save first base, Sogard was excellent on the base paths, with a 5.4 BsR since the start of the 2014 season.

He and Romine would give manager Brad Ausmus a number of options off the bench in terms of pinch running and defensive flexibility.

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