Detroit Tigers free agency primer: Howie Kendrick is ideal free agent addition

Detroit Tigers fans could conceivably see the team make some additions this offseason. One free agent who would be an ideal fit is the versatile Howie Kendrick.

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila and the rest of the front office enter an offseason in need of veteran stop gaps.

The team doesn’t need to sign an entire team of veteran placeholders for future prospects, but adding starting pitcher or two, a middle infielder, an extra outfielder and a reliever would certainly seem prudent.

With some uncertainty in the rotation, Jose Iglesias and Ian Kinsler hypothetical trade candidates, a log jam full of question marks in center field and a young bullpen, there are needs aplenty.

Long term, those positions shouldn’t be areas of need.

From Franklin Perez and Beau Burrows to Grayson Long, Matt Hall and Sandy Baez, there are plenty of starting pitching prospects starting to reach the upper levels of the minors.

Elsewhere, Isaac Paredes has exciting all-around potential up the middle, while Daz Cameron and Derek Hill make for a promising outfield pairing.

There’s also Christin Stewart, who could be the Tigers’ answer in left field.

Ahead of Cameron and Hill on the minor league ladder, the slugger would likely push Mikie Mahtook to center field until the duo are ready, easing any needs for a center fielder.

Bullpen-wise, a veteran arm could help ease the burden on some of the team’s younger pitchers.

Still, the reality is that none of those aforementioned prospects will likely be ready by Opening Day 2018.