Detroit Tigers free agency primer: Melky Cabrera is a fit

CHICAGO, IL - JULY 24: Melky Cabrera #53 of the Chicago White Sox bats against the Detroit Tigers at U.S. Cellular Field on July 24, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox defeated the Tigers 5-4. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JULY 24: Melky Cabrera #53 of the Chicago White Sox bats against the Detroit Tigers at U.S. Cellular Field on July 24, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox defeated the Tigers 5-4. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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Detroit Tigers
TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 8: Nick Castellanos #9 of the Detroit Tigers is congratulated by Jeimer Candelario #46 and Dixon Machado #49 after hitting a grand slam home run in the third inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 8, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

Offense

Looking around the diamond, the best way to address this would be to bring in another outfield option.

Detroit is set at catcher with James McCann, as well as shortstop with either Jose Iglesias or Dixon Machado.

Castellanos is in right field, while Candelario is entrenched at third base. Meanwhile, Cabrera should play first base, designated hitter, or a bit of both in 2018.

Center field could use an upgrade, but Detroit can simply shift Mikie Mahtook there.

With Mahtook in center field, there’s a definite need in left field.

Short-term help

While the Detroit Tigers are unlikely to burn prospects on a short-term fix, the free agent market could provide just that—a short term fix.

Christin Stewart could very well command at-bats by June or July at the earliest or by Opening Day 2019 at the latest.

Because of this, signing a veteran to a short-term deal makes plenty of sense.

This is all speculative mind you, but the Tigers could look to sign an outfielder to said short-term deal before flipping the player at the trade deadline for more prospects for the future.

One potential solution is Melky Cabrera.

The former White Sox and Royals player is entering free agency as a 33-year-old after splitting the 2017 campaign between the two American League Central franchises.

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