Detroit Tigers: Now is Time to Take Fliers on Players Let Go By Other Teams

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Sep 9, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) hits a two RBI single in the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila added plenty of minor league depth over the offseason. With teams starting to pare down their respective rosters, Detroit should look to take fliers on players let go.

Detroit Tigers slugger J.D. Martinez is the absolute best case scenario in terms of a team taking a flier on a player.

The outfielder came to the Tigers after posting a cumulative -1.1 WAR after parts of three seasons.

Martinez only collected 24 home runs and 126 RBI, while hitting .251 with the Astros.

By comparison, Detroit’s right fielder mashed 38 home runs and drove in 102 runs during the 2015 season. He also hit .282 that year.

Overall, Martinez has posted a wRC+ north of 136 in each of his three seasons with the Tigers. The 29-year-old has also seen his ISO numbers finish above .225 in each campaign in the Motor City.

So yeah, J.D. Martinez is pretty good at baseball.

The Detroit Tigers signed him before the season began in late March of 2014. While the team is unlikely to find a player who will develop into an All-Star like Martinez, the team should still be taking fliers.

Clubs around the league are beginning to pare down their respective rosters ahead of the fast-approaching Opening Day.

The Tigers should take advantage of the players hitting the open market.

Feb 21, 2017; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; Washington Nationals catcher Derek Norris (23) during spring training workouts at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Most notably, Derek Norris has already changed teams.

The former All-Star was dealt from the San Diego Padres to the Washington Nationals in the offseason. However, Norris was let go by the Nats.

The Tampa Bay Rays announced on the team’s official Twitter on Saturday morning in a tweet that the team had signed Norris.

Tampa Bay’s official Twitter account tweeted:

“OFFICIAL: #Rays have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with free agent catcher Derek Norris. Corresponding move to be announced later.”

Norris struggled in terms of batting average and reaching base in his two seasons with the Padres, but he still has brought solid pop to the game.

The backstop, who made the American League All-Star Team in 2014, wouldn’t exactly have been the best fit in Detroit due to Alex Avila and James McCann.

However, the fact that he hit the open market speaks to the fact that there are quality players available.

Roster Space

Detroit operated with a full 40-man roster for much of the offseason, but that could hypothetically change.

Should left-handed reliever Daniel Stumpf not make the team, a 40-man roster spot would open up.

Similarly, if Steven Moya can’t crack the Opening Day unit, the team could conceivably lose him on waivers, giving Detroit another roster spot to play with.

Elsewhere, if the team decides to part with expensive veterans like Mike Pelfrey (18 hits, 12 runs and six walks allowed in 13.2 spring innings) or Mark Lowe (11 hits, seven runs, three walks and two home runs allowed in 8.2 spring frames), the team would create even more 40-man roster space.

These hypothetical places could go to impressive Spring Training non-roster invitees like Arcenio Leon or Alex Presley.

Detroit can also use the free spaces to take fliers on players let go by other organizations.

Apr 29, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Diego Padres relief pitcher Brad Hand (52) pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

Past Deals

In early of April of last season, three pitchers moved to new teams in relatively minor transactions. The trio went on to post solid years in their new surroundings.

Brad Hand

Most prominent among the three was Brad Hand.

The southpaw was selected off waivers by the Padres from the Miami Marlins on April 8.

After operating as a swingman in parts of five seasons with the Marlins, Hand transitioned to the bullpen full-time in San Diego and thrived.

The southpaw appeared in 82 games, racking up 89.1 innings and becoming one of baseball’s best setup men in the process.

Hand struck out 11.2 batters per nine innings while also posting a 3.09 SIERA and a 1.6 WAR.

Dan Straily

Dan Straily, meanwhile, departed San Diego last April. The starting pitcher was selected off waivers by Cincinnati from the Padres on April 1.

The former Athletics hurler would go on to pitch to a 3.76 ERA and a 1.2 WAR. He provided some solid innings for the Reds, 191.1 of them to be exact.

All told, Straily won 14 games in his lone season with the National League Central franchise.

Miguel Gonzalez

Rounding out the group is Miguel Gonzalez.

Similar to Straily, he moved to a losing club and provided some rotation stability.

The former O’s pitcher latched on with the White Sox after being let go by Baltimore on April 1.

In 135 innings, the right-hander posted a 3.73 ERA and a 3.71 FIP.

While he didn’t strike out many batters (just 6.3 per nine frames), the veteran didn’t walk many hitters, allowing just 2.3 free passes per nine innings.

In Closing

The Detroit Tigers may not find the next J.D. Martinez in the coming weeks.

They may not even find the next Brad Hand or Dan Straily, but the fact remains that a number of quality players will become available as Opening Day approaches.

Detroit should take full advantage and begin the process of taking fliers on players. The team really isn’t out anything if said players fails to pan out.

Next: Non-Roster Invitee Position Players Most Likely to Make Tigers

However, if the player sticks, the Tigers will have found a Major League contributor to add depth to the team.

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