Detroit Tigers: Projecting Long-Term Replacements for Veterans Part 2

Detroit Tigers rosters have generally consisted of veteran players in years past. However, the team will eventually need to get younger. Here are some long-term replacements for some of Detroit’s veterans.

Detroit Tigers fans have seen plenty of impact veterans over the years.

From the likes of Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Guillen and Ivan Rodriguez to Miguel Cabrera, Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, these vets have been key in Detroit’s decade-long run as a contending team.

While the likes of Cabrera, Verlander, J.D. Martinez and Ian Kinsler will once again help the Tigers make another push for the World Series, the team will eventually become younger.

That doesn’t necessarily mean that a rebuild is coming.

Anibal Sanchez (32), Mike Pelfrey (33) and Mark Lowe (33) could all potentially hit free agency after the coming season.

Simply by letting those players reach the open market, Detroit—by definition—will get younger.

With Cabrera and Verlander showing no signs of slowing down, the Tigers won’t have to worry about finding a new offensive catalyst or ace any time soon.

However, there are other veterans on the roster who could conceivably move on.

Detroit gotten better about integrating young talent over the past few years. Some of that talent will be tasked with replacing veteran performers.

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

Mark Lowe
Age: 33
Position: Relief Pitcher
Contract Expires Following the 2017 Season

Brought in with Rodriguez and Justin Wilson to help the back end of the bullpen, Lowe struggled in his first campaign in the Motor City.

Over the span of 49.1 frames, the veteran right-hander turned in an ERA of 7.11.

While his 5.66 FIP and 4.07 SIERA suggest he was much better than his sky-high ERA would suggest, Lowe wasn’t the same reliever who logged a 1.00 ERA in the first half of 2015 with Seattle.

There’s hope for a rebound next year, as Lowe posted a 2.95 ERA over his final 21.1 innings.

Potential Long-Term Replacement: TBD

While Rodriguez has a defined role, therefore making it easier to tab a replacement, Lowe doesn’t.

After losing his gig as a setup reliever, the longtime Mariner didn’t have role in the bullpen for much of the season—often pitching in blowouts.

Should Lowe begin to pitch late in games again during the 2017 season, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see one of the team’s young power relief prospects.

Adam Ravenelle, Paul Voelker and Drew Smith all fit the bill as hard-throwing relievers who could eventually serve as setup men.

Andrew Romine
Age: 30
Position: Utility Player
Contract Expires Following the 2019 Season

After primarily spending his first two seasons in a Detroit Tigers uniform as a utility infielder, Andrew Romine added outfielder to his resume in 2016.

The former Los Angeles Angel of Anaheim saw action at all three outfield spots while continuing to fill in across the infield.

On offense, Romine posted a .626 OPS to go along with 21 runs scored, eight stolen bases and five doubles. The veteran set career highs in triples (two) and RBI (16) while also tying his previous career-best in home runs (two).

The bench cog also chipped in with a 1.8 BsR, a wRC+ of 71 and a 0.6 WAR.

Potential Long-Term Replacements: Dixon Machado, Dominic Ficociello or Jason Krizan

Utility players like Romine don’t come along too often, so Detroit could have trouble finding a like-for-like replacement.

If both shortstop and second base remain blocked, Dixon Machado could be a fit.

Like Romine he’s a solid defender, however Machado has only played the middle infield positions at this point.

Dominic Ficociello, who has seen time at first base, second base and third base, as well as left field, could develop into a utility player.

Rounding out the list is Krizan, who enjoyed an encouraging Triple-A debut in 2016.

Over the course of 32 games, the 26-year-old hit .310 with a .769 OPS. He also chipped in with 12 runs scored, 10 RBI, seven doubles and a home run.

Next: Long-Term Replacements for Victor, J.D. and Ian

Defensively, the former eighth-round draft pick has logged innings across the outfield and at both first and second base.