Detroit Tigers: Familiar Faces as Potential Free Agent Fits

Position Players

Ryan Raburn

Should the Tigers be on the lookout for a potential bench bat, Ryan Raburn would be a conceivable fit. The outfielder and first baseman is 35, but can still make an impact in limited playing time.

Since departing Detroit, Raburn has posted a 2.4 WAR and 1.4 in part-time roles in both 2013 and 2015. The veteran can also bring some pop, with ISOs of .243 and .272 coming in the last four seasons.

Austin Jackson

We continue the potential reunion tour with old friend Austin Jackson.

The center fielder would fill a need for Detroit with Cameron Maybin having moved on to Anaheim.

In 54 games with the White Sox in 2016, Jackson hit .254 with a .318 on-base percentage. While he’s contributed just nine home runs since leaving the Motor City, Jackson would be an ideal placeholder for JaCoby Jones.

Rajai Davis

Another potential center field place holder, Davis excelled with Cleveland last season. The fleet-of-foot outfielder logged a 2.0 WAR and 43 stolen bases in 134 games for the Tigers’ division rivals.

Similar to Jackson, he could man center field until Jones is ready for a full-time role in the Majors.

Erick Aybar

With Infante and Brendan Ryan reportedly (per a tweet from Baseball America’s Matt Eddy) joining Detroit’s organization on minors deals, the team may have enough middle infield depth.

In addition to the duo and starters Ian Kinsler and Jose Iglesias, Dixon Machado is still an option as well.

Despite the depth, it is easy to see why Aybar would be a fit on the bench. The former Angel turned in a .341 on-base percentage and an 88 wRC+ after coming over in a deal with Atlanta.