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.

Anibal Sanchez and Mike Pelfrey
Age: 32 (Sanchez) and 33 (Pelfrey)
Position: Starting Pitcher
Contracts Expire Following the 2017 Season*
(Per Spotrac, Sanchez’ contract can be bought out for $5 million after next season.)

It probably is safe to say that both Anibal Sanchez and Mike Pelfrey had down seasons last year.

Sanchez, who once led the American League in ERA, saw his ERA balloon to 5.87. He allowed 171 hits, 100 earned runs and 53 walks in 153.1 innings.

Elsewhere, Pelfrey struggled in his first year in the Motor City. Signed to provide quality innings, the starter turned in a 5.07 ERA and an unsightly 5.15 FIP.

The veteran simply allowed too many base runners. In 119 frames, the former Met was tagged for 160 hits and 46 walks.

In fact, Pelfrey nearly finished with more free passes (46) than strikeouts (56).

Potential Long-Term Replacements: Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd

With many of the veterans on this list, the prospects most likely to replace them are years away from being Major League ready.

However, Sanchez and Pelfrey’s respective rotation replacements are already in the Majors.

Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd made a combined 31 starts last season, and the young duo should continue to start games for Detroit.

Daniel Norris

Norris turned in a 1.1 WAR in limited action, which included notching a 3.38 ERA and a 3.94 SIERA in 69.1 innings of work.

What’s more, the former top prospect struck out 9.2 batters per nine frames while allowing just 2.9 walks per nine innings.

Matt Boyd

Boyd’s numbers—4.53 ERA, 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings—won’t stand out as much, but he’s got plenty of pitching ability.

From early July to late August, the Washington native posted a stellar 2.55 ERA in 49.1 innings. That same stretch saw the right-hander hold batters to a .222 batting average and a .289 on-base percentage.

In those 49.1 innings, Boyd also punched out 46 batters while walking only 15.

J.D. Martinez
Age: 29
Position: Right Fielder
Contract Expires Following the 2017 Season

It remains to be seen whether J.D. Martinez sticks with the Detroit Tigers long term.

Detroit has certainly received plenty of value for a player they signed as a free agent in late March of 2014.

In three seasons in the Motor City, the outfielder has developed into one of the best players at his position in the league.

Over 401 games, the right fielder has hit .299 with an .898 OPS. He’s also turned in 246 RBI, 219 runs scored, 98 doubles, 83 home runs, 10 stolen bases and seven triples.

In total, Martinez has posted a 10.8 WAR with the Tigers, while his wRC+ numbers have checked in at 154, 137 and 142 respectively.

Potential Long-Term Replacement: Christin Stewart

Unlike the other veterans, this one is slightly more difficult to forecast.

Should Martinez depart before Opening Day 2018—whether that be via trade or free agency—Detroit will be in need of a replacement.

Over the long haul the answer is probably Christin Stewart.

A powerful outfielder with a penchant for drawing walks, Stewart has serious upside as an impact performer at the dish.

However, the outfielder just reached Double-A for the first time last season, and he may not be ready for a starting gig in Detroit a year from now.

If he isn’t ready, some combination of Tyler Collins, Steven Moya and Mikie Mahtook will likely serve as stop-gap options.

Ian Kinsler
Age: 34
Position: Second Base
Contract Expires Following the 2017 Season*
(According to Spotrac, Kinsler’s contract has a team option for 2018 worth $10 million.)

Ian Kinsler seems to be getting better with age.

The 34-year-old second baseman has been plenty productive in his career, with a lifetime 44.2 WAR. What’s more, the veteran has been to four All-Star Games, and has earned MVP votes on four different occasions.

However, 2016 was arguably his best season as a professional.

In addition to winning his first Gold Glove, Kinsler was a force offensively.

Playing in 153 games for the Tigers, the former Ranger racked up 178 hits, 117 runs scored, 83 RBI, 29 doubles, 28 home runs, 14 stolen bases and four triples.

His WAR paced all Detroit position players at 5.8, while the veteran posted the second-highest wRC+ output of his career at 123.

Potential Long-Term Replacements: Dixon Machado, Will Maddox, Hector Martinez or Anthony Pereira

Somewhat similar to first base, Detroit doesn’t have a ton of prospect depth at second. As such, many of the names listed above currently play shortstop, but have experience at the other middle infield position.

Should Jose Iglesias stick around for the long haul with the Tigers, defensive standout Dixon Machado could slide over and eventually replace Kinsler.

Looking to the future, Will Maddox, Hector Martinez and Anthony Pereira could all develop into starting players.

Will Maddox

A former 18^th-round pick in 2014, Maddox has set about destroying minor league pitching early in his career.

The versatile fielder, who can also man first, accounted for 173 hits, 58 RBI and 28 stolen baes in just 127 games in the Midwest League last season.

If he can continue to produce, he could have a shot at starting in Detroit.

Hector Martinez

Farther down the minor league ladder, Hector Martinez is coming off a solid season in his first year playing in the States.

Against older competition in the Gulf Coast League, the 20-year-old turned in a .310 batting average and a .367 on-base percentage to go along with 17 runs scored, 10 RBI, seven steals and five extra-base hits in 42 contests.

Anthony Pereira

Rounding out the list is Pereira, who despite being just 20 is already playing at Double-A against players who are on average 5.3 years older than him.

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His .560 OPS and nine extra-hits won’t jump off the page. However, if the infielder can continue to develop against significantly older competition, he could have a bright future in the Majors.