Detroit Tigers Offseason Review: Winners and Losers

Detroit Tigers players will soon report for Spring Training. With the regular season approaching, here is a look at the winners and losers from Detroit’s offseason.

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila recently completed his second offseason in charge of the club.

At first, many prominent Tigers players saw their names surface in trade rumors.

However, the only significant trade that Avila made was to send Cameron Maybin to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for pitching prospect Victor Alcantara.

The Tigers core will once again return in 2017.

That means more strikeouts from Justin Verlander, more four-hit performances from Miguel Cabrera, more Francisco Rodriguez saves and more instances of Justin Upton destroying baseballs.

In terms of additions, there weren’t too many of note. Avila and company made more minor league signings, boosting the team’s overall depth in the process.

Alex Avila returned to the franchise to serve as James McCann’s backup. Elsewhere, Rule 5 draft pick Daniel Stumpf and Alcantara were added to the mix in the bullpen.

All told, Detroit heads into Spring Training with a roster capable of not only making the playoffs, but making a serious run once the team gets there.

With Opening Day right around the corner, here is a look at the winners and losers from the Detroit Tigers offseason.

Loser: John Hicks

It’s probably safe to say that had the Detroit Tigers not signed Alex Avila, John Hicks probably would have been in contention—if not the favorite—to replace Jarrod Saltalamacchia as backup catcher.

However, with Avila back in the organization, Hicks looks set to spend the year as Detroit’s third catcher.

The former fourth-round pick could ultimately see playing time, however, he’ll need an injury or roster move to happen ahead of him on the organizational depth chart.

Last season, Hicks proved to be a quality depth piece for the club after join Detroit on a waiver claim in late April.

Over the span of 93 games in the minors last season, the former Mariner hit .310 with a .358 on-base percentage.

Hicks also turned in a .480 slugging percentage, a .838 OPS and 47 RBI.

He also chipped in with 46 runs scored, 23 doubles, 10 home runs, four stolen bases and a triple.

On defense, the 27-year-old threw out 39% of would-be base stealers with Toledo after nabbing 43% of runners with Minnesota’s Triple-A club in Rochester.

Also capable of playing first base, it’s possible that Hicks ends up splitting playing time with fellow backstop Grayson Greiner in Toledo.

The prospect started 2016 with Advanced-A Lakeland but ended up with the Mud Hens at the end of the season.

Winner: Detroit’s Bench

Last season, Detroit’s bench didn’t exactly stand out as the gold standard of reserve units.

Mike Aviles (-1.4 WAR), Casey McGehee (.011 ISO, 33 wRC+), Steven Moya (38% strikeout percentage), Anthony Gose (.289 on-base percentage), Erick Aybar (88 wRC+) and Jarrod Saltalamacchia (.277 wOBA) were among the team’s most-used reserves.

With Aviles since traded, Gose designated for assignment and McGehee, Aybar and Saltalamacchia departing via free agency, next season’s bench will have a different look.

The new unit will likely be headed by utility ace Andrew Romine.

Elsewhere, Moya could play a role as a power hitting bench threat after turning in a .245 ISO last season.

Additionally, two of the team’s most notable offseason additions should bring some added value.

Alex Avila posted a 1.1 WAR, a .359 on-base percentage and a 104 wRC+ for the White Sox last season.

Should he not win the starting field job, Mahtook could provide a boost.

The former Rays player posted a 1.8 WAR and a 167 wRC+ with Tampa Bay in 2015. If he can post similar numbers, Detroit will benefit greatly.

What’s more, the Tigers bench could benefit from the defense provided by glove-first shortstop Dixon Machado.

A potential understudy for Jose Iglesias, Ian Kinsler and Nick Castellanos, Machado posted a DRS of 2 and a UZR of 2.0 in just 30 innings last season for the Tigers.

Loser: Steven Moya

Had the Detroit Tigers opted for something resembling a rebuild over offseason, Steven Moya probably would have had a shot at winning a starting job heading into 2017.

However, with the same core returning, Moya will have to battle for a reserve role.

The slugging outfielder is out of minor league options. In other words, Detroit can’t send him to the minors without the risk of losing him to another organization.

Considering J.D. Martinez, Justin Upton and Victor Martinez return as starters, it isn’t a guarantee that Moya will make the team’s Opening Day roster.

He shows plenty of upside at the plate, thanks to an impressive .245 ISO and five home runs, four doubles and two triples in just 94 at-bats.

Despite the promise, Moya still strikes out a ton, with 38 punch outs in 31 games last season.

He also isn’t exactly Kevin Kiermaier from a defensive standpoint. In his career, Moya owns a -5 DRS, -5.8 UZR and a -24.8 UZR/150.

Additionally, the 25-year-old has never played a game in center field in his professional career, taking him out of the running for a role in the middle of the outfield.

Next: Detroit's Catching Outlook Behind McCann & Avila

With more versatile outfielders like Mahtook and Collins, who also offer more of an all-around skillset, Moya will certainly have his work cut out for him this spring.