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Detroit Tigers: Christian Bethancourt, Edgar Olmos would make for versatile depth pieces

By Ben Rosener |
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 18: A detail of a Detroit Tigers hat with an official postseason logo is seen on the bat rack in the udgout againstthe New York Yankees during game four of the American League Championship Series at Comerica Park on October 18, 2012 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 18: A detail of a Detroit Tigers hat with an official postseason logo is seen on the bat rack in the udgout againstthe New York Yankees during game four of the American League Championship Series at Comerica Park on October 18, 2012 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
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DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 4: Al Avila laughs during a news conference at Comerica Park after he was promoted to executive vice president of baseball operations and general manager on August 4, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. Avila replaces Dave Dombrowski who was the Tigers’ general manager since 2002. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 4: Al Avila laughs during a news conference at Comerica Park after he was promoted to executive vice president of baseball operations and general manager on August 4, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. Avila replaces Dave Dombrowski who was the Tigers’ general manager since 2002. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

Detroit Tigers executive vice president of baseball operations and general manager Al Avila could do with more depth signings. Here are two fits in Christian Bethancourt and Edgar Olmos.

Detroit Tigers fans have seen plenty of versatile players in the past.

From utility infielders like Ramon Santiago to more super subs like Don Kelly, there have been plenty of utility aces who have made their mark in the Motor City.

Most recently, Andrew Romine was the team’s resident utility player. The veteran routinely filled in across the diamond, even playing all nine positions in the same game during a late-season contest versus the Minnesota Twins.

However, Romine was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners earlier in the offseason.

He joined a host of other players departing the organization, including second baseman Omar Infante, reliever Jeff Ferrell, starting pitcher Myles Jaye, catcher Bryan Holaday and outfielders Alex Presley, Tyler Collins and Steven Moya.

Tigers executive vice president of baseball operations and general manager Al Avila has already brought in a number of minor league signings to help replenish the depth with the likes of Kevin Comer, Mark Montgomery and Niko Goodrum signing via minor league pacts.

Goodrum’s addition is particularly significant given that like Romine, he too can play across the infield and the outfield.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 06: Reliever Christian Bethancourt #12 of the San Diego Padres throws a pitch in seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 6, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers won 10-2. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 06: Reliever Christian Bethancourt #12 of the San Diego Padres throws a pitch in seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 6, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers won 10-2. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

Versatility

Defensive flexibility, as well as the ability to pitch in multiple roles, is becoming more and more important in today’s game, so having as much versatile depth as possible would certainly benefit the Detroit Tigers.

At worst, they’d be useful players to have available at Triple-A Toledo.

Once again, this is all speculative mind you, but here are two hypothetical depth adds for the Detroit Tigers.

Christian Bethancourt

Formerly one of the game’s more promising catching prospects, the Bethancourt is a free agent after most recently playing for the San Diego Padres.

The backstop, who is also just 26-years-old, pitched extensively for the Padres’ Triple-A affiliate in 2017.

Bethancourt racked up 41.2 innings, allowed 60 hits, 40 runs (38 earned), 33 walks and eight home runs. He also struck out 23.

Those aren’t exactly numbers to write home about, but the former Padre has a blazing fastball and a cannon of an arm behind the dish.

During a rebuild, the Detroit Tigers need to get creative in how they bring in talent.

Taking a flier on Bethancourt as a two-way player and letting him develop on both sides of the ball as at either Double-A Erie or Triple-A Toledo could pay significant dividends down the line.

MESA, AZ – MARCH 4: Edgar Olmos #62 of the Chicago Cubs pitches during a spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Sloan Park on March 4, 2016 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images)
MESA, AZ – MARCH 4: Edgar Olmos #62 of the Chicago Cubs pitches during a spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Sloan Park on March 4, 2016 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images) /

Edgar Olmos

Teams can never have enough bullpen depth, especially when said depth happens to be left-handed.

This is especially true of the Detroit Tigers, who don’t have much in the way of options where southpaw relievers are concerned.

Daniel Stumpf is perhaps the most established option in the bullpen, but he was far from perfect (4.49 FIP, 4.70 xFIP and a 9.4% walk rate) in 37.2 innings last season.

There’s also Blaine Hardy, who struggled mightily in 2017.

The generally dependable reliever posted a 5.94 ERA, a 5.38 FIP and a 5.37 xFIP—not to mention a -0.2 fWAR—in 33.1 frames for the Tigers last season.

Other than Stumpf and Hardy, Detroit has Jairo Labourt and his six career Major League innings as well as swingman Chad Bell (5.47 FIP, 1.80 WHIP in 62.1 innings).

Ideally, Labourt will adjust to Major League hitters and take up a prominent role in Ron Gardenhire’s bullpen.

However, even if he does, some more depth would certainly help.

Left-handed bullpen help

Adding Olmos would certainly help in that regard.

The 27-year-old southpaw functioned as a swingman himself for Boston’s Triple-A affiliate in 2017, making 29 total appearances.

In those 29 appearances, Olmos made six starts while also recording four saves in 87.1 innings.

The former Mariner and Marlin also pitched to a 2.68 ERA, a 3.84 FIP and a 3.99 xFIP to go along with 7.94 strikeouts per nine innings and a 1.15 WHIP.

Next: You'll want the Tigers to sign this free agent outfielder

His ability to pitch in multiple roles makes him an ideal potential depth piece.

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