Detroit Tigers Add Minor League Depth in James Loney

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila added plenty of depth in the offseason. Avila has brought in yet another reserve option. Detroit announced on Twitter the signing of James Loney to a minors deal.

Detroit Tigers fans didn’t see much Major League activity over the winter.

Cameron Maybin was traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and Daniel Stumpf was selected in the Rule 5 draft.

Meanwhile, the team brought in Mikie Mahtook in a minor trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, while Alex Avila was added to a new-look bench.

However, that was about it.

The rest of 2016’s nucleus returned, with Detroit opting to replace Maybin mostly with internal options in JaCoby Jones, Andrew Romine and Tyler Collins.

The team instead did the bulk of its work in bringing in players to serve as minor league depth.

These included the likes of Omar Infante, Arcenio Leon, Alex Presley, Dustin Molleken and Edward Mujica.

Now, the Tigers are adding yet another minor league piece to act as insurance.

Detroit’s official Twitter account tweeted the following on Wednesday morning:

"“The #Tigers have signed first baseman James Loney to a minor league contract. He will report to extended spring training.”"

Career Highlights

Loney, 32, was taken by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round of the 2002 draft.

Along with Russell Martin, Matt Kemp and Andre Either, Loney helped propel the National League West franchise to a pair of division crowns in 2008 and 2009.

Both years the Dodgers advanced to the National League Championship series.

More from Detroit Tigers News

• Detroit Tigers: Victor Reyes finding ways to get the job done
• The Detroit Tigers must cut their losses and release Jonathan Schoop
• Detroit Tigers: Garrett Hill’s new role and changed delivery are excellent
• Detroit Tigers: Joe Jiménez has rebounded in 2022
• Detroit Tigers: Is it finally time to move the fences in at Comerica Park?

Loney was traded to Boston in the Adrian Gonzalez blockbuster in 2012, before reaching free agency.

He spent three seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, hitting .291 while averaging 59 RBI, 25 doubles and nine home runs in 139 per season.

Loney played in 100 contests for the New York Mets last season, and owns a career 108 home runs and 669 RBI.

The veteran has turned in a wRC+ north of 100 six different times. He has also driven in more 75 runs on four different occasions.

First Base Option

He’ll give the Tigers some obvious depth behind Miguel Cabrera.

Cabrera is clearly entrenched at first base, but the only other options at the position on the Major League roster are Andrew Romine and Alex Avila.

Next: AL Central Power Rankings After First Week

Victor Martinez could conceivably see time at first, but it remains to be seen if Detroit will use the team’s designated hitter in the field at any point in 2017.