Tigers should consider an exception to offseason rule for ideal Matt Vierling replacement

Scott Harris set Tigers' fans expectations for the offseason low, reminding us before it even started in earnest that he didn't believe in trading off his young players' development for signing expensive free agents. This isn't new by any means, but it hinted that fans may be in for a long and boring offseason, and that's not even factoring in the looming lockout.

For a team that ended the season 10 games under .500, there's not a lot that Detroit actually needs to do, at least in terms of external additions. The bullpen needs a facelift, but Harris warned against getting too worked up about that, too, by hinting that we'll see some homegrown starters converted into relievers.

However, the Tigers have a piece of the offense leaving in Gleyber Torres, and they should at least be considering non-tendering Matt Vierling.

There are ways the Tigers can cover for Torres internally, but saying goodbye to Vierling would mean cutting one of the utility players Detroit has always loved for his defensive versatility.

But there might be an answer to that — and a cheap one, too. Outfielder, second baseman, and shortstop Mauricio Dubón is hitting free agency at the end of the Braves' postseason run.

Tigers should consider adding Mauricio Dubón as a Matt Vierling replacement despite Scott Harris' allergy to spending

Dubón, making $6.1 million in his last year of arbitration eligibility, enjoyed one of the best regular seasons of his career in Atlanta, posting career-high 12 homers and 73 RBI. But the real value is in his defense.

He's a two-time Gold Glove winner as a utility player, and he just so happened to make an incredible leaping play in Game 3 of the NLDS to rob Freddie Freeman of a homer. He's spent some time at every position except catcher throughout his major league career.

The free agent market this year is very thin, and the reasons the Tigers might like Dubón are the same as any other team's. But if Vierling does end up getting dumped by November, Dubón seems like a perfect fit, and Detroit should at least consider being in on a possibly competitive market.

He wouldn't be replacing anyone on the Tigers' offense, just supplementing — and that's exactly what Harris has always preached. He's a better bet on defense than Vierling, and coming off a career-best season offensively. The Tigers might have to at least consider it.

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