The Best Free Agent Signings in Detroit Tigers History

Jul 6, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez swings his bat at Comerica Park. Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 6, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez swings his bat at Comerica Park. Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
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Free Agent: Darrell Evans, 1984, 6.9 Points

Free Agent
DETROIT, MI – CIRCA 1984: Darrell Evans of the Detroit Tigers at Tiger Stadium in Detroit. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

3 seasons, 2 above-average seasons, 1 title, 2.9 WAR/yr

For lack of a better term, Darrell Evans is one of the greatest Old Baseball Players ever. He signed with Detroit when he was 36, and his 152 home runs after turning 37 are the 3rd most of all time, behind only Barry Bonds (195) and Evans’ former teammate, the recently departed Henry Aaron (163). Evans would have easily ranked higher if he had a better 1984 season (he hit just .232 with 16 HR), or if his initial contract with Detroit had included his stellar 1987 season, when he put up 4.9 WAR after hitting .257/.379/.501 with 34 home runs. A truly great free agent signing for the Tigers, Evans is the only player on this list who actually won a World Series ring with the team.

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