Detroit Tigers free agency primer: Why Carlos Gonzalez is a fit

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PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 04: Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies hits a single during the top of the fourth inning of the National League Wild Card game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on October 4, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila could conceivably spend on the free agent market if the team needs veteran, stop-gap options. One area of need is the outfield. Carlos Gonzalez is a potential fit.

Detroit Tigers fans have seen plenty of change in the outfield since the conclusion of the 2016 season.

What was once a starting trio of Cameron Maybin, Justin Upton and J.D. Martinez is now a log jam with just two established starters—Mikie Mahtook and Nicholas Castellanos—and a multitude of additional options.

Said options include JaCoby Jones, Tyler Collins, Alex Presley, Andrew Romine and Jim Adduci.

The outfield picture could get even more muddled next year as top prospects Christin Stewart and Mike Gerber could make their respective Major League debuts.

However, before that happens, the Tigers might be in need of some short-term additions given the play of the aforementioned additional options.

The youngest of the group, Jones has flashed elite defensive potential in center field—at the very least where covering ground is concerned.

However, he’s failed to hit much in the Majors in his two brief cameos.

Other incumbents

Collins has seen more than two brief cameos in the Majors, but like Jones has struggled to consistently put it all together at the dish.

At 28, he could be too old for the rebuilding Tigers.

If 28 is too old, then Presley (32), Romine (31) and Adduci (32) certainly don’t fit the bill either.

While all three made positive contributions to the team, Detroit may be better off trying to extract a prospect or two out of each, thus making room for younger options.

All told, the Tigers could find plenty of value in signing a veteran outfielder to a short-term contract to help bridge the gap to Stewart and Gerber.

Ideally, the signing would join on a one-year deal and perform well in the first half before being dealt for more prospects in July.

In a perfect world, Detroit would be able to sign a player with a proven track record coming off a down season who has the potential to bounce back.

To continue with the ideal theme, the ideal signing for the Detroit Tigers in this scenario would be Carlos Gonzalez.

DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 17: Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies takes a lead from first base as Wil Myers #4 of the San Diego Padres covers the bag during a regular season MLB game between the Colorado Rockies and the visiting San Diego Padres at Coors Field on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Russell Lansford/Getty Images) /

Why Carlos Gonzalez

Playing on an expiring deal this season, Gonzalez turned in a -0.2 WAR, an 84 wRC+, a .327 wOBA, a .162 ISO, a .262 batting average, a .339 on-base percentage and a .423 slugging percentage.

Gonzalez also notched 72 runs scored, 57 RBI and 14 home runs in 534 plate appearances.

This represented a significant down season for the slugger, who combined to mash 65 home runs, score 174 runs and drive in 187 runs during the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

Gonzalez WAR numbers checked in at 2.5 and 2.0 respectively in 2015 and 2016. His wRC+ never dipped below 110, while he turned in ISO stats of .269 and .207.

A longtime presence in the middle of Colorado’s lineup, the veteran could conceivably be moving on this winter.

Colorado has Gerardo Parra, Ian Desmond and Charlie Blackmon under team control through at least 2018.

With Blackmon, D.J. LeMahieu and Nolan Arenado heading for free agency in the coming years, the Rockies may find it prudent to save money for some potentially significant cotnracts.

Either way, if Gonzalez becomes a free agent, the Tigers should look to sign him to a one-year deal.

Not only would the contract help Gonzalez rebuild his value ahead of scoring a larger deal in free agency the next year, but it would also give Detroit a run producer in a lineup that lost two offensive juggernauts in 2017.

DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 16: Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates in the dugout after hitting a fifth inning two-run homerun against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field on September 16, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

How Carlos Gonzalez fits with the Detroit Tigers

As with many players who turn in strong offensive seasons playing half their games at Colorado’s Coors Field, it’s probably normal to wonder how the player would produce playing elsewhere.

Gonzalez, who has spent the vast majority of his career in Colorado, has a career 95 wRC+ and a .174 ISO on the road.

However, as recently as 2015, he turned in a 102 wRC+, a .221 ISO and a .758 OPS on the road.

If he can replicate those kind of numbers in Detroit, the Tigers should benefit greatly.

It also doesn’t hurt that Gonzalez, in a small sample size, has found plenty of success at Comerica Park.

In 24 plate appearances, the 31-year-old is hitting .435 with a .458 on-base percentage, a .652 slugging percentage and a 1.111 OPS.

The outfielder also has four runs scored, three RBI, two doubles, a home run and a stolen base in Detroit.

Run producer

Results may matter little for the Detroit Tigers in 2018, but the team could still use some more offensive punch as they look to grow as a team.

With J.D. Martinez and Justin Upton gone, Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez coming off injury-shortened seasons and Ian Kinsler a potential trade candidate this winter, the batting order could use a boost.

Adding Gonzalez to hit behind Cabrera and in front of Nicholas Castellanos and Jeimer Candelario would give the Tigers a quality heart of the order.

Trade chip

While position players didn’t bring in as much vale as pitchers at the 2017 trade deadline, Gonzalez’ offensive upside would make him a fit in almost any lineup.

Next: Predicting Ian Kinsler's trade market

With Christin Stewart a potential call up at some point next season, the Tigers can eventually trade Carlos Gonzalez for more prospects to help the rebuild while replacing his production with the powerful Stewart.

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