Detroit Tigers: Five New Free Agents to Target Immediately

Five New Free Agents the Detroit Tigers Should Target Immediately

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 17: A general night view of the main entrance of Comerica Park during the game between the Cleveland Indians and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 17, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. The Indians defeated the Tigers 10-3. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

3 of 5

Sep 25, 2020; Buffalo, New York, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Travis Shaw (6) hits a two run home run during the fourth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Sahlen Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers free agent target: Travis Shaw

Position – 3B/1B

Age on Opening Day – 30

From 2017 to 2018 Travis Shaw ranked 9th in fWAR among third basemen (7.1), 6th in walk rate (11.6%), and 5th in home runs (63). Then he inexplicably fell apart in 2019 and the Milwaukee Brewers let him walk. He signed on with the Toronto Blue Jays for the 2020 season and made his way back to being a roughly league-average offensive player, but not close to where he once was. It may be that he’s simply gotten worse, but he hit the ball harder than ever last year, posting an average exit velocity on par with Nick Castellanos and Joey Gallo. He still walked at an average rate and he has some defensive versatility, so the Detroit Tigers should at least kick the tires here.