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: Cecil Fielder, 1990, 7.2 Points

Free Agent
Tigers first baseman Cecil Fielder watches his home run fly to left. /

2 seasons, 2 above-average seasons, 5.2 WAR/yr

The Tigers initial free agent contract with Cecil Fielder was for two years and $3 million total. Over those two years Fielder hit .269/.362/.551 with 95 home runs, 265 RBI, and two second-place finishes in the MVP vote. We’ll probably never see another player begin his Detroit Tigers career in such a stellar fashion. Cecil Fielder then re-signed with the club for one year and what was then a record $4.5 million. He re-signed with the Tigers again after that, but his 1992 season would be the last above-average campaign he produced as a player (2.8 WAR), as his solid offensive performances couldn’t quite make up for his deficiencies in other areas. If we took publicity and impact into account, Cecil Fielder may have topped our list, but instead he comes in at #4.