Detroit Tigers: Mikie Mahtook key example of why team should take fliers

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NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 01: John Hicks #55 of the Detroit Tigers connects on a second inning three run home run against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on August 1, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Waiver claims

One way the Detroit Tigers could add talent is through waiver claims.

With waiver claims, Detroit wouldn’t have to give up any prospects or players in trades to acquire younger talent. The team simply would have to submit a claim.

Dating back to 2015, the Tigers have made few waiver claims. These include Josh Zeid, Marc Krauss, Donn Roach and John Hicks.

Past examples

Zeid turned in a 4.46 ERA, a 1.514 WHIP and 5.0 walks per nine innings in 70.2 frames for Toledo in his lone season in the Detroit organization.

Meanwhile, Krauss helped fill in for Miguel Cabrera in 2015. He collected just five hits in 33 plate appearances, with a .394 OPS while wearing a Detroit uniform.

Roach was successful in five starts for Toledo in 2016 (3.03 ERA, 21 strikeouts in 29.2 innings), but was soon lost on waivers to Oakland.

Hicks has been the only real bright spot of the group, hitting .311 with an .879 OPS, 16 RBI, 11 doubles and four home runs in 110 plate appearances.

That limited playing time has also seen the former Seattle farmhand turn in a 130 wRC+, a .368 wOBA, a .223 ISO and a 0.6 WAR.

Those four examples somewhat summarize waiver claims in general. Many probably aren’t going to stick or work out. However, there are useful contributors to be found.

The more waiver claims a team makes, the more likely they are to hit on a player who can improve the roster.