Detroit Tigers: 4 players to target in free agency

Detroit Tigers should consider Roberto Pérez for the catching position.

The Detroit Tigers need to beef up their catching tandem ahead of the 2023 season. For the Tigers, Tucker Barnhart was granted free agency as Jake Rogers is slated for a return from Tommy John surgery.

The way things stand now, Rogers has to piece together a big return as he returns and is healthy. On the other side of things, they have Eric Haase, who caught 84 games in 2022. He will likely serve as the second fiddle behind the dish if the Tigers bring in another battery mate.

But the good news for Haase is he can be used elsewhere. That being said, with a boost needed for the Tigers catchers, they should target Roberto Pérez. The two-time Gold Glove winner is not going to swing the stick with a ton of power but brings benefits with the gear on.

Pérez spent eight years in Cleveland before ending up in Pittsburgh for the 2022 season. He has the defensive tools that will excel and bring great ability behind the plate to help him handle the Tigers' pitching staff.

In 2022, Pérez suffered a season-ending hamstring injury that put his season to bed quite early. The right-handed hitter would only appear in 21 games for a total of 69 plate appearances. He slashed .233/.333/.367 with two doubles and two home runs in his limited time with the Pirates.

The Tigers would be able to bring in a valuable asset in Pérez. He's got the tools behind the dish to bring someone who can throw out runners, block, frame, and call a good game. Coming off of an injury-ridden season in 2022, there's no reason not to consider bringing him in.

There may be some uncertainty as to what the Tigers are going to do about their catching situation but targeting Pérez seems like a worthwhile idea for the front office to throw around this winter.