The Detroit Tigers Need an Outfield Reboot

The Comerica Park scoreboard in the middle of the sixth inning of Verlander's start on June 14, 2011. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
The Comerica Park scoreboard in the middle of the sixth inning of Verlander's start on June 14, 2011. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – JULY 05: A general view of Comerica Park while players practice during the Detroit Tigers Summer Workouts at Comerica Park on July 5, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

What the outfield reboot could look like:

So when it is all said and done. the end of May seems like the right timeline for the players involved.  If Big Al and the organization may feel is appropriate, I would have a starting outfield of Grossman in LF, Daz Cameron in CF, and Nomar Mazara in RF with Akil Baddoo as the 4th man. Jones and Reyes would be the roster subtractions for Mazara and Cameron.

This would still leave Harold Castro and Niko Goodrum to play the outfield in a pinch or the occasional spot start if necessary. While the rebooted outfield I am suggesting is not going to be confused with Al Kaline, Willie Horton, and Mickey Stanley by any means, it at least should have some improved production from what we are seeing as I expect Robbie Grossman and Nomar Mazara to at least approach their modest established big league norm. It also allows us to find out if Daz Cameron deserves further serious consideration or if our attention turns fully towards Riley Greene, Parker Meadows, and the other outfield prospects at AA or below. There is nothing to lose going with this setup. No sense in continuing to waste time with players like Jones and Reyes who are just not major league players at this point and not likely to offer a whole lot going forward.