Detroit Tigers Free Agent Review: Tommy LaStella

At some point, hopefully, in the near future, the Detroit Tigers will likely make a few moves to fill out its roster with a couple of experienced acquisitions for 2021. Is veteran infielder Tommy La Stella on GM Al Avila’s radar?

The Detroit Tigers have put the word out enough via some of its more docile media portals not to expect high-impact acquisitions in this off-season. It’s doubtful even the most optimistic folks any longer hold out hope to see JT Realmuto or George Springer sign on as a Tiger. That leaves Detroit, despite have laughably low payroll commitments in ‘21, to troll the second and third tier of the free agent market to fill its lineup card next season.

Tommy La Stella is one such player who could fill a need in Detroit, has the experience to lend to the Tigers youngsters, and brings a skill set different than what you see in other spots in the Tigers lineup. Most of all, he’ll be reasonably priced and that seems like a big flashing light to attract Avila in these times.

La Stella has bounced around through four different clubs in his career but has always found his way onto the field via his versatility mostly as a Chicago Cub where he earned a World Series ring in 2016.

Despite an outlier season as an Angel in 2019 where La Stella smashed 16 homers in 80 games, he’s been mostly a high OBP/low power contact hitting specialist for much of his career. Indeed the 16 dinger spike accounts for half of his career total of 31 over his seven big league seasons. He was on a pace for 14 homers in a full season in ‘20 as he split time between the Angels and Athletics with five long balls in 55 games.

If La Stella is adding some late career power in his 30’s that adds nicely to his long standing ability to draw walks, avoid strikeouts, hit for a solid average, and play three infield positions sure-handedly (1B, 2B, 3B). Even if the power spike is non-lasting, La Stella is still a useful player.

The Tigers don’t have anyone like him on the roster. He’d be a decent change of pace in its batting order as a tough out from the left side who isn’t a K-machine. Certainly, Detroit has the playing time available at second base for La Stella in ‘21 unless they unearth a new shortstop and move Willi Castro to the keystone.

La Stella was also playing well enough last year to make himself a second tier trade deadline target when he was moved by the Angels to Oakland. The Tigers will certainly be looking to participate as sellers in ‘21 barring a surge in the standings completely unforeseen right now.

Judging by the Tigers’ acquisitions during the previous Hot Stove season where they brought in CJ Cron, Cam Maybin, and a few others, La Stella would seem to be a fit and maybe even a small step up. He’s a competent veteran. The Tigers can put him in the lineup for a few hundred at-bats and feel confident he’ll get on base consistently and catch the ball on defense.

La Stella isn’t going to sell tickets and he’s not a long-term foundational talent. But he’s never made more than $3.5M in a season and the Tigers can probably secure him with a promise of solid playing time on a very reasonable deal for one season. Perhaps even a cheap-ish two-year hitch or one plus a club option.

Detroit needs premium talent if they intend to rise up from the AL Central cellar…but short of that they can certainly use a dose of veteran stability in its middle infield and La Stella is one guy among many drifting on the market who could provide that. Most likely the Tigers will get the veteran guy who will work the cheapest.