Detroit Tigers: Projecting Long-Term Replacements for Veterans Part 1

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila is looking to make the team younger. While that didn’t happen this offseason, it could eventually take place. Here some long-term replacements for Detroit’s veterans.

Detroit Tigers fans didn’t see much change this offseason.

After the names of franchise stalwarts like Justin Verlander, Miguel Cabrera and Ian Kinsler surfaced in trade rumors, Cameron Maybin ended up being the only notable contributor traded.

Elsewhere, bench cogs Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Erick Aybar and Casey McGehee departed via free agency.

The trio’s playing time and at-bats will likely be taken by the likes of Alex Avila, Dixon Machado and Andrew Romine.

While the team didn’t move any other pieces and will look to contend next season, it still doesn’t take away from the fact that the Tigers are a veteran team.

Those veterans should help the team in their quest to claim a World Series. However, replacements will eventually be needed.

This doesn’t necessarily mean Detroit needs to rebuild, but once some older players hit free agency or become ineffective, the Tigers will need replacements.

Considering the franchise won’t operate with a sky-high payroll forever, it is probably prudent that those replacements are younger, in-house options.

It should be noted that players like Cabrera, Verlander, Jordan Zimmermann and Justin Upton are signed to long-term teals.

They should be around for the long haul.

As such, replacements for them aren’t included on this list.

Here is a look at some of the long-term replacements for some of the Detroit Tigers’ veteran players.