Detroit Tigers: Long-term successors for expensive veterans

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila has done a solid job of improving the outlook for the team’s future in in the past few seasons. Here’s a look at the long-term successors for the team’s veterans.

Detroit Tigers fans are used to seeing the team operate with a high payroll in seasons past.

The Tigers found plenty of success with the method from 2006 onwards, but the team needs to get younger and more cost efficient.

Because of this, the days of adding pricey veteran players are likely over.

As it stands, Detroit still has a handful of high-priced veterans remaining on the team’s roster.

There’s first baseman Miguel Cabrera, designated hitter Victor Martinez, outfielder Justin Upton, starting pitchers Justin Verlander, Jordan Zimmermann and second baseman Ian Kinsler.

All come with varying levels of club control for the future.

Thanks to Avila’s recent work through trades and the draft, the franchise has restocked the farm system with prospects who could, and likely will contribute down the line.

Here’s a look at which Detroit Tigers prospects and young players who could replace veterans like Cabrera, Martinez, Upton, Verlander, Zimmermann and Kinsler in the coming seasons, or further down the line in the future.

Projecting which prospects will devolpe isn’t an exact science as some don’t pan out, but these look like the best bets to be key contributors for the Tigers down the road.