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.

Catchers

Jarrod Saltalamacchia
1 BsR
-0.5 UBR

Catchers generally tend not to be speed merchants going from station, but they can still make an impact with their legs with smart, heads up base running.

As it stands, the Detroit Tigers best option to utilize quality base running at the catcher position may be to retain Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

The veteran backstop proved to be a relatively positive contributor on the base paths on a team lacking them. In fact, Salty ranked seventh among all catchers in the league in terms of BsR last season.

James McCann’s defensive prowess will keep him on the field most days, but having Saltalamacchia on the bench would give Detroit a dependable insurance policy.

Jeff Mathis
0.8 BsR
0.4 UBR

Another free agent option for the Tigers is Jeff Mathis. The longtime Angel recently capped off a four-year stint in Miami that saw him mainly serve as a backup. Mathis hit .238 last season and averaged 17 RBI, 12 runs scored and 10 extra-base hits per season while with the Marlins.

A defensive first catcher, the 34-year-old routinely grades out positively in a number of defensive metrics.

Bryan Holaday
1.4 BsR
1.4 UBR

Though not a free agent, another catcher who could appeal to the Tigers is Bryan Holaday. The former Detroit player is obviously familiar with the team’s pitching staff. What’s more, Al Avila may be able to pry him away from the Red Sox as Boston also employs Sandy Leon, Ryan Hanigan and Christian Vazquez.

Holaday finished first among all catchers in UBR (1.4) and fourth in BsR (1.4). By comparison, Andrew Romine checked in with a 1.0 UBR and a 1.8 BsR.

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.

Outfielders Part Two

Nori Aoki
0.7 BsR
3.4 UBR

Aoki isn’t the speed merchant that Davis is, but he may be the best all-around option of the group of outfielders. Since debuting in the Majors with Milwaukee in 2012, the outfielder has never failed to hit below .283 or post an on-base percentage below .349.

As a fourth outfielder and periodic starter, his on-base skills would play well in Detroit’s dynamic offense. What’s more, he’s making a positive contribution on the base paths with a UBR that is approaching Davis’ number in the category.

Per Spotrac, Aoki had a 2017 vesting option once he hit 480 plate appearances. With just 467 trips to the plate to his name last season, he’ll hit the open market.

Jon Jay
3.3 BsR
2.9 UBR

Rounding out the list is Jon Jay, who enjoyed a solid, if injury-shortened season, in San Diego.

Over 90 games he hit .291 with a .339 on-base percentage, 49 runs scored, 26 doubles, 26 RBI, two home runs and two stolen bases.

Despite just the two steals, he made an impact as a runner. Like Aoki, his combination of shrewd base running and on-base skills would work well with the Detroit Tigers as a fourth outfielder.

Next: Jay's San Diego Teammate, Travis Jankowski, Is Also a Fit

At his best as a regular starter in St. Louis, Jay averaged a 2.6 WAR per season from 2011 to the 2014 season.