Detroit Tigers: Four Gold Glove Finalists

Four of the best Detroit Tigers defensive players in 2016 have earned high-profile nods from MLB managers who believe they are worthy of taking home a Gold Glove.

The four Detroit Tigers finalists are Justin Verlander, Ian Kinsler, Jose Iglesias, and James McCann. All three of these men have certainly passed the eyeball test with their impressive plays. And all three of them certainly have a good chance to win the high honor, especially when compared to the competition.

The last Detroit Tigers player to win an AL Gold Glove was Yoenis Cespedes, who spent the first half of the season with the Tigers before joining the New York Mets and helping to bring that team to the World Series.

Prior to Cespedes winning in 2015, the most recent Tigers to win Gold Gloves were Placido Polanco in 2007 and 2009, Ivan Rodriguez in 2006 and 2007, and Kenny Rogers in 2006. The Tigers players with the most Gold Glove awards include Al Kaline (10), Bill Freehan (5), Mickey Stanley (4), and Alan Trammell (4). Only one Detroit Tigers third baseman has ever won the award: Aurelio Rodriguez in 1976.

Gold Glove Pitching Finalists

Out of all of the AL pitchers, Justin Verlander is competing against R.A. Dickey, and Dallas Keuchel. Dickey posted a WAR of 0.4 in 2016 with a 0.23 RA9def. Keuchel posted a WAR of 0.5 and an RA9def of 0.30. Verlander had a WAR of 6.6 and an RA9def of -0.30. The difference between the three pitchers is striking, with Verlander clearly the dominant of the three. It is safe to say that JV is the clear winner.

Gold Glove Second Basemen Finalists

Kinsler will most likely have a tighter challenge winning the Gold Glove against Robinson Cano and Dustin Pedroia. For years, Pedroia, along with Jose Altuve, have been thorns in Kinsler’s side – always inching him out for the major awards. But, this year, Kinsler was an exception. He earned a 6.1 WAR and his RF/9 was 5.09. Robinson Cano beat out Kinsler for a spot on the All-Star roster this year and he earned a 7.3 WAR. His defensive range factor was 4.84.  Pedroia finished the season with a WAR of 4.4 and a RF/9 of 4.23. Kinsler should finish above Pedroia, but the race will be tight with Cano.

Gold Glove Catching Finalists

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Finally, we get to the catcher position. James McCann is facing the tough competition of Salvador Perez and Carlos Perez. Coming off of his World Series MVP award, Salvy put up more fantastic numbers. He led the AL in caught stealing percentage with 48% and his dWAR was 2.0 and he had four errors. Carlos Perez, like McCann, is also on his second full season. His numbers were good, but not as good as Salvy’s. Carlos Perez had a caught stealing percentage of 38% and his dWAR was 1.3. He had three errors. McCann had a dWAR of 1.6, a caught-stealing percentage of 45% (second in the AL) and he committed four errors. If the voters use the numbers, it is clear that Salvador Perez will take home this award.

Next: Tigers Infield Present & Future

Even though only one of the nominated Tigers players will take home a Gold Glove, it is nice to see four of the top Tigers getting recognized for their quality performances on defense.