Detroit Tigers: 3 Free Agent First Base Options They Could Pursue

The Detroit Tigers are in need of a new first baseman in 2018, assuming they move veteran Miguel Cabrera to designated hitter.

The Detroit Tigers probably won’t be the most active team this offseason. As the rebuild plugs along, this team will be looking to find low-cost veterans to plug into spots of need, with the intention of trading them in July to acquire more prospects.

This team isn’t losing many veterans to free agency, so it will probably be a quiet offseason. However, one area the team will need to address is first base. With Victor Martinez‘s retirement, Detroit will almost assuredly move veteran Miguel Cabrera to the designated hitter role permanently. At age 35, it is time for Miggy to face the music – and a move to DH could prolong his career by a few years.

The team was without Cabrera for most of last season, and a combination of John Hicks, Jim Adduci, Niko Goodrum and Ronny Rodriguez were used at first. Goodrum and Rodriguez are middle infielders, and Hicks is primarily a catcher. That leaves Adduci, who at age 33 is not a great option to get his first big league starting role.

Hicks is the front-runner for right now, but he is better served as a backup catcher/backup first baseman, as opposed to a full-time regular. Plus, the team could really use an extra left-handed bat to replace Martinez, who as a switch-hitter was one of Detroit’s few swingers from the left side.

Here are three free agent options who are low-cost, left-handed hitting first baseman who could contribute, and could even end up getting dealt at the deadline for more prospects.