Offseason Outlook: Detroit Tigers
theScore's baseball editors break down the past year for each team, and look ahead to the offseason.
Free agents: Max Scherzer, Torii Hunter, Joba Chamberlain, Phil Coke, Jim Johnson, Don Kelly
Arbitration-eligible players: Rick Porcello, David Price, Al Alburquerque, J.D. Martinez
2014 payroll: $163 million
What went right in 2014?
The Tigers won their fourth consecutive division title, something no other team in baseball has achieved over the same time period.
Ian Kinsler made general manager Dave Dombrowski look wise in moving Prince Fielder and his hefty contract to the Texas Rangers. Fielder, who has six years remaining on his deal, struggled before requiring season-ending neck surgery. Kinsler, meanwhile, was one of seven Detroit players (minimum 400 plate appearances) to provide better than league average contributions at the plate, helping the Tigers rank first in offense when adjusting for park and league factors, and second in runs scored, OPS and weighted on-base average.
Miguel Cabrera, coming off core surgery while fighting through an injured ankle that required an offseason operation, didn't put up MVP numbers. However, he still proved his worth as one of the game's most lethal hitters. His partner in crime, Victor Martinez, mashed in a career year to finish second in MVP voting, helping him secure a four-year, $68-million contract from Detroit.
Even more impressive than those two was the unexpected monster season the Tigers received from J.D. Martinez.
| Player | AVG/OBP/SLG | HR | wRC+ | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J.D. Martinez | .315/.358/.553 | 23 | 153 | 3.7 |
Max Scherzer, Rick Porcello, Anibal Sanchez, Justin Verlander and 11 starts of David Price provided the Tigers with tremendous value. Detroit starters ranked first in FanGraphs' WAR and fewest homers allowed per nine innings pitched, while logging the fourth most innings.
What went wrong in 2014?
Another World Series eluded the Tigers. Detroit is in it to win it, and despite four straight postseason berths, the Tigers haven't been able to close out. This past year was the biggest example of the Tigers' trend; the team went all-in to acquire Price only to be swept by the Baltimore Orioles in the ALDS.
Detroit's bullpen is a key reason why the star-laden team was ousted in short order.
Tigers starters, as expected, did their part to help the club advance. Yet the rest of the pitching staff failed them. Detroit's bullpen was lit up in October, a constant that spilled over from the regular season. Thirty-nine year old closer Joe Nathan was among the primary culprits.
Losing defensive wizard Jose Iglesias for the entire season didn't help, and neither did Verlander resembling more of a backend arm than an ace.
Offseason Needs
Reliever
Top Target
Andrew Miller - Someone is going to pay for Miller. Why not the Tigers? Miller is likely to parlay his career-best 2014 season - 2.02 ERA, 14.87 K/9 - into a player-friendly contract, but that shouldn't stop Detroit from bringing him on board. Miller can close for the Tigers or provide them with a late-inning reliever. Nathan and Joakim Soria, a pair of right-handers, are free agents at the end of the 2015 season. Money will be coming off the books to set up the hard-throwing southpaw to close for multiple years.
Additional candidates: John Axford, Jesse Crain, Dustin McGowan
Outfielder
The Tigers addressed their lack of outfield depth by swapping prospect Devon Travis to the Toronto Blue Jays for center fielder Anthony Gose. While Dombrowski has said he believes Gose has a chance to be an everyday player, the 24-year-old has struggled to hit throughout three big-league seasons. He at the very least will provide Detroit with speed and defense, but a team with championship aspirations can do better.
With no Austin Jackson, and Torii Hunter gone to free agency, the Tigers need outfield help beyond Gose. Moving Martinez from left to right has reportedly been considered. Provided the Tigers feel comfortable doing so, they can target any outfield position.
Rajai Davis is best suited as a fourth outfielder or platoon partner with a left-handed bat, such as Gose.
Nori Aoki would give the Tigers a high-contact, strong on-base threat who could allow Martinez to stay in left field.
Additional candidates: Colby Rasmus, Alex Rios
Starting pitcher
Scherzer and Jon Lester could prove too costly. And, frankly, the Tigers' staff - pending Verlander's output - can get by without another high-end arm. But concerns over Verlander are legitimate and Price is a free agent after 2015. A short-term deal for an upside arm such as Justin Masterson or Brandon Morrow could make sense.
Additional candidates: Carlos Villanueva, Josh Johnson, Kyle Kendrick
Impact prospect
The Tigers' farm system is lacking, but left-hander Robbie Ray - acquired from the Washington Nationals in the Doug Fister deal - is someone who could wind up having a big role with Detroit next season. Ray, 23, had a forgettable first taste of the big leagues, putting up an 8.16 ERA over 28 2/3 innings. Yet he should head into spring training fighting for the No. 5 starter job, provided the Tigers don't bring anyone else on board.