4 pending free agents the Detroit Tigers need to target this offseason
The Detroit Tigers need to decide if they are serious about contending this coming offseason.
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The Detroit Tigers made the very questionable decision to only trade away Michael Lorenzen at the trade deadline. While being buyers at the trade deadline became a poor path given how the Tigers were playing, that they held on to Eduardo Rodriguez (who vetoed a trade with the Dodgers) and a host of relievers was definitely an "interesting" choice to be sure.
However, there is a chance that Detroit's relative inaction at the deadline could point to the fact that they really do think that they could contend in 2024 and they may not be wrong. The Twins may win the AL Central this year, but they aren't scaring anyone, are very likely to lose Sonny Gray in free agency, and have real payroll limits especially after what they gave Carlos Correa. The Guardians ended up selling at the deadline and have some real issues to sort out with their offense before they have any real shot.
Assuming the Tigers recognize the opportunity in front of them and are willing/able to take advantage of it, this offseason could be a turning point for the franchise.
Here are 4 pending free agents the Tigers need to target this offseason
The days of the Tigers spending crazy amounts of money and resources chasing a championship are pretty clearly over. However, Detroit has shown some willingness to spend in recent years including their ill-fated deal to sign Javier Baez. With Miguel Cabrera retiring after the season, they should have some money freed up to make a real push for contention in 2024.
The goal here is to present realistic free agent options, so no...you will not find Shohei Ohtani's name on this list as awesome as that would be. Also, availability is an important consideration here, so only known free agents and/or guys that are essentially locks to not have contract options exercised/not sign qualifying offers are going to get consideration for now.
Anyways, those are the rules. Here is a look at four pending free agents that the Tigers need to consider this offseason.
Jordan Montgomery would bolster the Tigers rotation
The Tigers' rotation is in a weird spot right now. There is a lot of young talent on the pitching side to be sure. However, many of their arms have some real durability questions. Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize, and Matt Manning have all missed significant time with injuries and help from the minor leagues on the pitching side is a ways away. Even if the Tigers are optimistic that those three guys will pitch meaningful innings in 2024, Matt Boyd is a free agent after the season and they will need another arm in the rotation. The guy they should target to fill that void is Jordan Montgomery.
There are going to be bigger names available in free agency when it comes to starting pitching like Ohtani, Sonny Gray, and maybe Aaron Nola if the Phillies can't figure out how to extend him, but Montgomery fits the bills for the Tigers on a number of levels. He isn't likely to require a megadeal to sign (although he will be far from a budget sign) and the guy just puts decent season after decent season. Montgomery throws a bunch of strikes and knows who he is as a pitcher on the mound and pitches to his strengths. That experience would help the Tigers' young pitching core refine their craft while providing some rotation stability if there are speedbumps along the way.
Matt Chapman is the marquee signing that Detroit needs to make happen
If the Tigers are serious about wanting to contend starting in 2024, the offense is going to need a boost. Several of the Tigers' top prospects have struggled and/or gotten hurt and that plus Baez's contract being a dumpster fire has added up to Detroit having the 27th ranked position player group by fWAR (6.4) in 2023. A huge step in the right direction would be by signing Matt Chapman, one of the top free agents available, as the centerpiece of their offseason.
The infield has been a primary offender for Detroit's offensive struggles and adding Chapman would instantly give them one of the better third basemen on both sides of the ball in the entire league. Chapman hits for some power, draws a ton of walks, and has posted a wRC+ of 110 or better in six of the seven seasons he has been in the league in addition to being an excellent defender. However, he will inevitably be pretty expensive and may require a long-term deal to sign. Also, Chapman is basically a lock to receive a qualifying offer which the Tigers will have to consider.
There is also the future of top prospect Colt Keith to consider given that he, too, plays third base. However, Keith has seen plenty of time at second base in the minors which is a position the Tigers probably need to upgrade anyways. Between that and the DH spot opening up with Miggy retiring, Detroit could easily make it work when it comes to giving playing time to everyone they want to.
Pierce Johnson could be a great addition to the Tigers' bullpen
The Tigers are going to have some openings in the bullpen going into 2024 and some other spots that could use an upgrade. There are no shortage of options for Detroit to choose from in free agency as there are a number of interesting righties and lefties that should be available. However, one name that stands out as a more under the radar option is Pierce Johnson.
Johnson was pitching in the black hole that is the Colorado Rockies organization, but ended up getting dealt to the Braves at the trade deadline where his swing and miss stuff has really shined. The biggest issue in acquiring Johnson may actually be his new team, however. The Braves are really good at retaining their players and value a strong bullpen highly. Assuming Pierce finishes the season strong, Atlanta will push hard to keep him in the fold.
Adding Keynan Middleton would turn the Detroit bullpen into a strength for the team
The really good teams in the league almost all have very deep bullpens. Detroit has a strong base in the late innings with Alex Lange and Jason Foley. Given that the Tigers didn't trade away either of those guys at the trade deadline seems to signal that Detroit is looking to build on that strength. To do so, they will need to add multiple decent bullpen arms and Keynan Middleton needs to be in the mix there.
Middleton was one of the better rental relievers available at the trade deadline this year and he ended up getting traded to the Yankees. His Statcast profile shows a guy that is very good at limiting hard contact and missing bats even with his 3.96 ERA this season. Again, this isn't a guy that will require a huge financial investment, but who could still be an important building block that could help turn Detroit's bullpen into a strength next season.
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