Detroit Tigers could conceivably spend more in free agency as a rebuilding team

Detroit Tigers fans could conceivably see the team make some veteran free agent additions this offseason despite the current rebuilding effort.

Detroit Tigers fans are used to seeing contending teams that make big splashes in free agency.

This was true as recently as a couple of years ago when the Tigers splashed significant cash on long-term contracts for outfielder Justin Upton and starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann.

The same offseason saw multi-year pacts handed to fellow starter Mike Pelfrey and relief pitcher Mark Lowe.

Considering the mixed bag results of the quartet—not to mention a sky-high payroll—Detroit was nowhere near as active last offseason.

Despite fielding a team that just missed out on a playoff appearances, catcher Alex Avila was the only player signed to a Major League contract.

With Upton, Avila, starting pitcher Justin Verlander, outfielder J.D. Martinez and closer Justin Wilson all having been dealt in the last few months, the Tigers are in full on rebuilding mode.

This is all speculative mind you, but despite this, Detroit could conceivably be more active on the free agent market this winter than in seasons past when the team was in contention.

This doesn’t mean big contracts will be handed out to players like Upton or Martinez.

That being said, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Tigers add some veteran players on short-term deals.