Should The Detroit Tigers Extend Robbie Grossman?

Should The Detroit Tigers extend Robbie Grossman?

Robbie Grossman was signed by the Detroit Tigers last free agency, as kind of a veteran outfield presence that would help develop the outfielders and other young hitters on the team while also walking a lot. But what Robbie did last year was way more than I think many fans expected from Grossman. Leading to the question, “Should The TIgers extend Robbie Grossman?”

Last season in Grossman’s 9th year as a big leaguer, he had a career year offensively. Finishing the year slashing, .239/.357/.415/.772 stat line. Along with a career-high of 23 Homeruns, to which his previous season-high was 11. He also had career highs in walks (98), stolen bases(20), K% (23.1), WAR (2.7), and tied his career-high BB% (14.7). As you can see by that, Grossman took a huge leap in his game that I don’t think anyone was expecting. Especially in the power number areas, especially playing in such a big park-like Comerica.

Along with his career year, he also ranked very highly in some of those stats league-wide. Those being, BB% where he was ranked 5th in the MLB, 4th in the MLB in walks with the previously mentioned 98, and 16th in the MLB with 20 stolen bases.

Robbie’s fielding is nothing special by any means. But he is a very suitable defender in either of the corner outfield positions. He does not have very good defensive metrics but, if you watch the film of Grossman you will see he does have his slip-ups but he doesn’t make nearly any errors, has good speed to the ball, and has decent arm strength. Which will be just fine as long as he keeps up the production he has in the batter’s box.

The Tigers still have Grossman locked up for the 22-23 season. But, should they look into giving him another 2-3 years and keep him in Detroit? I think the answer has to be, yes! Now, will Grossman have another identical season like he had last year? Maybe, but that is very uncertain.

Though the Tigers signed him thinking he would be the same Grossman the league has always seen, lots of walks and not a lot of power, which would still be a great kind of player to have if you are the Tigers. So, even if he has half as good a season as this year I think it definitely should mean he sticks around for the foreseeable future.

I also think that keeping Grossman around is not only a great idea because of the production he has at the plate. But also because he is a great locker room presence and seems to be loved by all his teammates and coaches and can really help a lot of the younger outfield talent the Tigers have in Riley Greene, Derek Hill, Akil Baddoo, and Daz Cameron.

So having a guy like Grossman who knows the sport very well and is a great locker room guy.  His teammates have spoken highly of him as a great mentor to them and he adds so much to your lineup offensively, which is so important to building a winning franchise.

Lastly, for a clearer answer on if the TIgers should extend Grossman next year my answer is an astounding yes! Because like was discussed earlier, a great locker room guy, a great mentor, walks, and gets on base a lot, and won’t be super expensive like the other outfield free agents that a lot of Detroit Tigers fans want.

So when you look at it from that perspective, it makes all the sense in the world to go out and extend Grossman after next year. Even if he doesn’t have another 20/20 year and goes back to his normal production that is still a great asset for the Tigers to have on their roster.