Detroit Tigers Offseason Review: Winners and Losers

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Mar 16, 2016; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Tyler Collins (18) runs in to make a catch during the sixth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros at Osceola County Stadium. The Tigers won 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

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.

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