Detroit Tigers free agency primer: Melky Cabrera is a fit

Melky Cabrera in 2017

In 666 plate appearances, the veteran hit .285 with a .324 on-base percentage, a .423 on-base percentage, a .319 wOBA and a 98 wRC+.

He also added 85 RBI, 78 RBI, 30 doubles and 17 home runs.

It was Cabrera’s fifth straight season with a batting average of at least .272. Over the same period, his BABIP never eclipsed .316.

In other words, his hitting is not only consistent, but also isn’t a fluke either.

What has also been consistent has been Cabrera’s ability to rake at Comerica Park.

In 231 plate appearances in Detroit, the former Yankee is hitting .315 with a .352 on-base percentage, a .486 on-base percentage and an .838 OPS.

Those 231 plate appearances have also netted 31 RBI, 12 doubles, five triples, five home runs and three stolen bases.

In an outfield market crowded with power bats like J.D. Martinez, Jay Bruce, Jose Bautista, Carlos Gonzalez and Curtis Granderson, Cabrera would be an ideal fit for the Tigers.

Potential Detroit Tigers lineup with Melky Cabrera

The outfielder could hit second in front of Miguel Cabrera, Nicholas Castellanos and Jeimer Candelario, or switch spots with Candelario and hit fifth.

Regardless of whether Kinsler is traded, Melky Cabrera could serve as a valuable table setter for the Tigers with his ability to get on base.

What’s more, Cabrera is a switch hitter, so his ability to hit from the left side would bring some much-needed balance to Detroit’s right-handed heavy lineup.

Next: The Tigers just completed the Justin Wilson trade

If Kinsler is traded, and this is all speculative mind you, a batting order featuring Melky Cabrera hitting leadoff, Candelario batting second, Miguel Cabrera hitting third and Nicholas Castellanos batting cleanup would be intriguing to watch see.