Detroit Tigers: Best Free Agents to Improve Base Running

Outfielders Part One

Rajai Davis
4.2 BsR
10 UBR

Now we come to the position in the free agent market where the Tigers could really make a splash in upgrading the team’s base running.

Should Rajai Davis depart Cleveland, a reunion with Detroit, where he played for two seasons from 2014 to 2015. Terry Francona has unleashed the veteran on opposing teams, with Davis contributing a league-leading 43 stolen bases in 134 games.

In addition to his stolen base totals, the former Tiger grades out extremely positively in both BsR and UBR, ranking in the top five in both categories among outfielders. Utilizing Davis as a fourth outfielder behind Cameron Maybin, Justin Upton and J.D. Martinez would certainly give Detroit a deep outfield grouping.

The current Cleveland player has seen time in left, center and right field since breaking into the Majors in 2006 with Pittsburgh.

Michael Bourn
3.0 BsR
0.2 UBR

Michael Bourn has long been one of baseball’s better speed threats—and while he isn’t posting gaudy stolen base numbers like he did in Houston, the outfielder is still making an impact on the bases. In 113 games split between Arizona and Baltimore, the outfielder stole 15 bases while crossing home 48 times.

With a total WAR of 0.5 since the beginning of season, he isn’t the All-Star level performer he once was. However, he could make an impact off Detroit’s bench as the team’s fourth outfielder and primary pinch runner.