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

By Ben Rosener

Jun 30, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez (57), second baseman Ian Kinsler (3) and third baseman Andrew Romine (17) congratulate each other as they beat the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Detroit Tigers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 10-7. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 30, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez (57), second baseman Ian Kinsler (3) and third baseman Andrew Romine (17) congratulate each other as they beat the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Detroit Tigers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 10-7. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 24, 2016; Dunedin, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman Andrew Romine (17) turns and throws for the double play as Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Andy Burns (1) slides into second base during the first inning at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /

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.

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