The Detroit Tigers Need an Outfield Reboot

JaCoby Jones:

The last best chance for JaCoby Jones to make a case to stick as a Detroit Tigers has been an abject failure. Before injuries ended his 2019 and 2020 seasons he had appeared to have made real strides at the plate but has managed just .125/.143/.208 in 49 Plate Appearances, featuring just 1 walk and 19 strikeouts. He has an OPS+ of ZERO. Turning 29 next month, it’s time to turn the page. He’s not young enough to be a real part of the future and he is giving absolutely nothing right now. I think he is down to his last weeks to turn it around and it would behoove him to get hot starting right now if he wants any chance at remaining a big-league ballplayer. With his inability to draw walks and his penchant for striking out, it seems unlikely at this point.

The Solution: 

Send him to Triple-A and let Daz Cameron roam the vast expanse of centerfield at Comerica Park. While he did not light the world on fire in his 2020 debut he did look more comfortable once he settled into the big leagues, with 10 hits in his last 30 at-bats after a 1 for 27 start to his career. At 24 years old it is time to start finding out if he is a baseball player or just another guy with an All-Star father.

I wouldn’t wait and would make this move now, but I think the Tigers want to at least give Daz a few Toledo at-bats coming after an off-season elbow injury and a rough go in an abbreviated 2021 Spring Training. Perhaps a hot start could have him in line for a quick call-up, a week or 10 days of showing that he is healthy would be a Mid-May timeline. I think that is a realistic possibility for Al Avila to pull the trigger and send JaCoby back to the bus leagues. I am still rooting for JaCoby but it sure looks like it’s all over barring a quick miracle turnaround.