Detroit Tigers: Trio of Major League veterans could be intriguing depth adds

Detroit Tigers executive vice president of baseball operations and general manager Al Avila could do with more depth signings. Here are three fits in Drew Hutchinson, Francisco Pena and Ruben Tejada.

Detroit Tigers fans could see a number of transactions this offseason.

With the team in rebuilding mode, a number of veteran players could conceivably be traded to make way for younger players and prospects.

However, the franchise will need some depth as most young players take time do adjust to the Majors. Many run into early struggles at one point or another.

With that in mind, some added depth could be crucial for Detroit.

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These players would ideally be brought in as minor league signings and give Avila, new manager Ron Gardenhire and company as extra options.

Said players could begin in Toledo, but could also work their way into the Major League picture.

There’s plenty of potential to be had up and down the free agent market.

Ideally one or more of these players could conceivably become a contributor or even an eventual trade chip for the Tigers.

This is all speculative mind you, but here are three hypothetical depth adds for Detroit.

Drew Hutchinson

Hutchinson showed plenty of promise early in his career with the Blue Jays.

From 2012 to 2015 he worked to a 4.16 FIP, a 1.359 WHIP and 8.3 punch outs per nine frames in 393.2 innings, which included 71 starts.

What’s more, the right-hander logged fWARs of 2.3 and 1.4 in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

He didn’t appear in any games in the Majors this season. However, the hurler did turn in a 3.56 ERA, a 1.293 WHIP and 124 strikeouts in 159.1 innings for Pittsburgh’s Triple-A affiliate.

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He’d make an ideal candidate to audition for the fifth starter’s job in Spring Training.

Francisco Pena

Pena launched a pair of home runs as part of five hits in 10 plate appearances for Baltimore last season. He also batted .278 with a .759 OPS, a .336 wOBA and a 109 wRC+.

Additionally, the backstop tacked on 19 extra-base hits and 18 RBI in 188 plate appearances for Triple-A Norfolk in 2017.

Catching depth is predominantly thin around the league, so adding Pena as a second, third or fourth catcher—depending on whether John Hicks sees more time at first base next season—could be beneficial.

Having sufficient offensive catching depth, as it were, is also somewhat uncommon. In that regard, adding Pena would boost Detroit’s depth in the area significantly.

Ruben Tejada

Tejada would only be a fit with the Detroit Tigers if both Ian Kinsler and Jose Iglesias are moved via trade.

The longtime Mets shortstop split 2017 with Baltimore and New York’s Triple-A affiliates, as well as a the O’s.

While his Major League offensive output (56 wRC+, .259 wOBA, .293 on-base percentage) won’t win him any awards, he was a capable defender at shortstop (1.7 UZR/150, 0 DRS), while also seeing limited action at both second base and third base.

A conceivable utility piece to stash in Toledo, Tejada handled himself much better at the plate in the minors last season.

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The infielder batted .280 with a .357 on-base percentage, a .797 OPS, 31 runs scored, 23 RBI, 19 walks, 10 doubles and six home runs in 199 plate appearances.