Detroit Tigers: Should they target Neil Walker?

The Detroit Tigers are in rebuilding mode, but a slow free agent market could give the Tigers a chance to add a veteran like Neil Walker on the cheap.

The Detroit Tigers, like most of the league, have had a quiet offseason. A trade of star second baseman Ian Kinsler highlighted an offseason that has only seen the team sign two players to big league contracts: outfielder Leonys Martin and starting pitcher Mike Fiers.

It is pretty clear that the team has their vision set for the future. They are not making moves that will help them in the near future, instead choosing to stock up on young minor league talent via trades and the draft. This trend, often called ‘tanking’, is stirring quite a controversy among the MLBPA and the remaining free agents.

Regardless, the Tigers seem primed to head into 2018 with a lot of inexperienced players filling out their 25-man roster. One position that the Tigers seem particularly thin at is second base, following Kinsler’s departure.

25-year-old Dixon Machado is penciled in as the opening day starter at second base. He hit .259/.302/.319 with a 64 wRC+ and a -0.5 fWAR in 73 games last season. 27 of those games were at second base, the third most on the team behind Kinsler and Andrew Romine, who has since signed with the Mariners.

While Machado is a capable defender and young enough to still develop, his profile has long indicated a career as a utility infielder as opposed to an everyday player. Rebuilding teams often have to make sacrifices to save money. However, the Tigers should consider adding a veteran second baseman so that Machado can instead fill a utility role.

Enter free agent Neil Walker.

New York Yankees

The New York Yankees dealt away starting second baseman Starlin Castro in order to acquire Giancarlo Stanton. They may want to add Walker while they wait for uber-prospect Gleyber Torres to take over. However, Torres could be ready as soon as opening day. And if he isn’t, the team has utility-man Ronald Torreyes who is capable of filling in. It seems like a deal for Walker would only be of the one-year variety, if they offer anything at all.

Boston Red Sox

Dustin Pedroia is going to miss a good chunk of the season with an injury. The Red Sox could consider adding Walker as a temporary replacement. However, they are closely connected to a reunion with Eduardo Nunez instead. Plus, Walker may not want to sign with a team where he is only guaranteed a starting role for a few months.

A rebuilding team

Both of those teams are a stretch, but they represent the clearest options for Walker at this point. Walker’s best bet may be to join a rebuilding team on a short contract and hit the open market again in a year or two. This would open up his options considerably as free agency draws near.

The Tampa Bay Rays, San Diego Padres and Atlanta Braves are three teams with very little depth at the keystone. While none of those teams are keen to spend a lot of money this offseason, Walker would be a significant upgrade. He would likely draw interest at a reasonable price.

The Pirates, the team Walker spent his first seven big league seasons with, could certainly fit that bill as well if they trade Josh Harrison, whom they are rumored to be shopping.

All this leads to the Tigers, who on paper represent a good fit for Walker.

While they have made very few major league roster additions, the Detroit Tigers have signed a flurry of players to minor league deals. Among those are four players who could conceivably make the big league roster as infielders: Ronny Rodriguez, Niko Goodrum, Pete Kozma and Alexi Amarista.

Having all four of them certainly makes Walker more of a luxury than a necessity. However, Walker’s incredible consistency (he has posted a 1.9 fWAR or higher every season since 2010) and solid reputation would be a nice fit on a young, rebuilding Detroit squad.

Walker is a switch-hitter who posted a career-high .365 on-base percentage last year. He has hit 12 or more home runs every year since 2010, including two seasons over 20. He would immediately slot in as the teams starting second baseman, and would likely hit either first or second in the order.

The Financials

Additionally, Walker’s cost is at an all-time low. Back in November, MLB Trade Rumors predicted Todd Frazier would sign a contract at three years, $33 million dollars. The market has been so slow to develop that Frazier just accepted a two-year, $17 million dollar deal. Walker could see a drastic drop as well. That would make him a much more appealing target for a Detroit team that is trying to cut costs.

At the beginning of the offseason, MLBTradeRumors projected Walker to sign a two-year, $22 million dollar deal. While Walker is still likely to ask for multiple years, something closer to two years and $14 million dollars seems plausible.

The Tigers should seriously consider shelling out $14 million dollars to add Walker.

Next: A look at the 2018 Infield

There is nothing wrong with going into the regular season with Machado at second. However, if a consistent, durable player falls into your lap at an affordable rate, the Tigers should consider taking advantage.