Detroit Tigers free agency primer: Examining the first base market

Detroit Tigers fans could be in for a busy offseason. As it stands, first base isn’t a pressing need for the Tigers. That being said, the team should look into a signing at first this winter.

Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera had what was perhaps his worst offensive season to date in 2017.

Affected by injuries at times, Cabrera turned in a 91 wRC+, a .329 on-base percentage and a .149 ISO.

His WAR slipped below zero for the first time ever, checking in a -0.2.

It was a very un-Miguel Cabrera season to put it plainly.

Hopefully, the future Hall of Famer will be able to rebound in 2018 and turn in a productive season as a fully-healthy member of Detroit’s lineup.

Short of executing a successful rebuild, the Tigers’ top priority should be extending Cabrera’s career.

After all, the 34-year-old is currently signed through 2023, with mutual options for the 2024 and 2025 seasons (per Spotrac).

Even if Cabrera was productive, that’s a difficult contract to move. In other words, the slugger likely isn’t going anywhere.

Considering he’ll likely be part of the next great Detroit Tigers team purely based on his contract length, the franchise needs to keep him as productive as possible so he can return to his elite production at the dish.

The best way to do that would be to shift him to designated hitter.

V-Mart

Of course, Detroit currently has Victor Martinez installed at the position.

While Martinez’ trade market is limited and his situation is somewhat complicated by the fact that he can veto any deal due to his 10-and-5 rights, the Tigers could conceivably trade him.

If that doesn’t happen, Detroit can always cut him loose to make room on both the 40-man and active roster for another player.