Detroit Tigers: 3 way-too-early high-impact free agents to target

Based on the comments this week from Detroit Tigers owner Christopher Ilitch, we got ahead of ourselves and provided three free agents’ ideas.

Earlier in the week, Detroit Tigers owner Christopher Ilitch spoke about seeking high-end talent for 2022. So instantly, a few names came to mind, should this scenario happen.

Currently, the Detroit Tigers are ranked 23rd in payroll in baseball per Sportrac at $85 million dollars with Miguel Cabrera being the largest among the contracts.  With the signing of Robbie Grossman in the off-season to a two-year deal, it was at least an indication that Detroit was not thinking about stop gag measures.

What do the Detroit Tigers need?

It is not as easy of an answer as a shortstop and a few starting pitchers. Detroit has to address if Jonathan Schoop will come back and hold down second base. Who will play first base on a regular basis?

Look at the outfield. Do you worry that Akil Baddoo will suffer a sophomore slump? What exactly is Victor Reyes? Daz Cameron has not played enough to show if he can be a regular and Derek Hill continues to improve but the same question arises with him.

Even behind the plate, you can be pretty sure that Jake Rogers and Eric Haase will be there but does Detroit sign a veteran backup in case Rogers has some arm issues.

The outfield and catching situations may be a product of an overthinking mind but looking at how the Twins fell back from last year, while Minnesota may have a better team, the idea is for Detroit to get better and build off this season.

The Tigers have to address a lot that for now, we are not thinking about but let’s just start with three big high-impact free agents.