Detroit Tigers: 4 players to target in free agency

The Detroit Tigers have a busy off-season ahead of them.

While the off-season is underway, there is still plenty of things to do with this Detroit Tigers organization. The team also needs work to bring in a couple of pieces to help piece together a contender ahead of the 2023 season.

It's going to require digging into the free agent market. While the Detroit Tigers may go into the trade market to fill some needs, there will still be holes that need to be filled on the free-agent market.

The Detroit Tigers made leaps in 2022, looking like a much better ballclub than they have in recent years, but as the 2023 season rolls around, it will be interesting to see what this Tigers team shapes up as.

With the roster churning and changing, there will be some new faces come springtime. With that in mind, there's still plenty of work to be done by Scott Harris, and his front office as the winter continues on.

When it comes to the free agent market, spending big may not be in the cards in 2023, but the Tigers should be targeting these four free agents as ways to improve the team in time for spring workouts. Let's dive in.

The Detroit Tigers should utilize Rob Metzler to target Ryan Yarbrough.

Earlier this off-season, the Detroit Tigers hired Rob Metzler away from the Tampa Bay Rays organization. He may have been in charge of amateur scouting and international operations, but he has to know the scoop on Ryan Yarbrough.

The Rays designated the 30-year-old southpaw for assignment in mid-November. Yarbrough has been with the Rays for the last five seasons. He's been used as both a starter and a reliever during that time and could be a beneficial addition to the pitching staff.

His numbers in the past few seasons are not as good as when he broke into the league, but the Tigers should consider giving him a change of scenery and helping him try and latch on in a new home.

Yarbrough is coming off a 2022 season where he played in just 20 games, starting nine and relieving in 11 appearances. He pitched to a 4.50 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP over 88 innings of work. He punched out 61 opposing hitters.

While the hope would be that he can get back on track for the Tigers organization, it's got to be worth exploring a deal with the southpaw. He would provide potential starting depth or be a solid piggyback option out of the bullpen.

If the Tigers choose to move a reliever, bringing in Yarbrough, who has proven he can start or relieve in the big leagues, would help them bolster down the pitching staff. He's not going to be a top-tier addition but could bring benefit to the pitching staff.