Ranking the available free agent third basemen for Tigers after 2024 season

The Detroit Tigers had a great run, but lacked the offensive firepower to be a year-over-year threat. The biggest hole comes at third base, where a combination of Gio Urshela, Matt Vierling, Jace Jung, and Zach McKinstry filled the role throughout the season.

Although the list of potential free agents at the position is short, there are a few that the Tigers need to keep their eye on and actively engage in discussion with.

Ranking the available free agent third basemen for Tigers after 2024 season

A reunion with Gio Urshela

The Gio Urshela experience in 2024 was very productive. He was inexplicably cut by the Tigers after the trade deadline. There was value to be had, and it was shown as the Atlanta Braves picked him up almost immediately after his release. Urshela elected free agency at the end of the season, and could be a cheap option for the Tigers once again.

Urshela has bounced around in his career, playing for seven teams over nine years. It could be appealing for him to come back to a team he is familiar with. He is not going to put up power numbers, but plays a decent third base and could serve as a solid lineup lengthener. Not only that, but coming into the organization that he helped buy into during their playoff run would be a seamless transition.

The Tigers need a veteran bat that can be consistent in the lineup, and Urshela's career .273 average shows he is capable of doing that (though his biggest downfall is the lack of power). The Tigers ranked 24th in the MLB in home runs hit with 162. There are other places to plug in more power to the lineup, but the Tigers might want to look at someone with more home run potential.

An outside-the-box flyer on Jose Iglesias

Another reunion for the Tigers could see spark plug infielder Jose "Candelita" Iglesias come back to the Motor City. Iglesias was primarily a shortstop in his time as a Detroit Tigers from 2015-2018 but has broadened his horizons and played shortstop, third base, and second base for the Mets last season. Iglesias brings a TON of contact to the lineup, hitting .337 in 85 games for the Mets last season.

Iglesias would be another cheap, short-term option, giving Jace Jung more time to develop. One of the biggest things Iglesias would bring to the team is culture. The Mets were a different team when he was in the lineup. They played with more energy and rallied around him every time he played. He would also bring a stellar glove to the field. Tigers fans can surely remember a few plays he made during his last stint with the team.

Much like Gio Urshela, Iglesias lacks the power the Tigers need. Defense at this position would be a huge upgrade, but it is up to AJ Hinch and Scott Harris to decide how much they want to weigh that against the power factor.

The cannon ball splash we've ALL been waiting for

Ahh yes, he who Tigers fans have heralded as their savior for the entire past year. It is no surprise he is number one on this list. Alex Bregman is the all-around package player that the Tigers lack (outside of Riley Greene). The guy is, plain and simple, a great baseball player. He has been THE GUY in Houston for years now, and is expected to walk away from the team this offseason.

The former No. 2 overall pick slashed .260/.315/.453 last season and had 26 home runs. That number would have put him at the top of the Tigers' ranks for homers (Greene led the team with 24). His defense is stellar, he has loads of playoff experience, he can hit for average and power, and has come up in major clutch situations for the Astros over the years. Does it get any better than that?

Bregman will come with a major price tag. This should not be considered a downfall at all. The Tigers have no major commitments in salary outside of the abominable Javy Baez contract. It is time for the organization to take this step. They cannot continue to sign players who are just contributors. They must sign impact, play-making game-changing players. Alex Bregman is exactly that.