The rebuild continues for the Detroit Tigers and it looks as though there will be at least a couple more years before there is a cast in place that will be able to contend. But the light at the end of the tunnel, however distant, did become visible this season as the team moved forward.
The Tigers will have only Miguel Cabrera’s big contract to carry with Jordan Zimmerman’s deal expired. That will mean $25M off their payroll and an extra 40-man roster spot for a player the team hopes will be a part of their resurgence one day. This team was once third in total payroll in the major leagues as recently as 2016 ($212M). The Tigers could be as low as the bottom five in 2021 as their payroll might drop below $90M, even with Cabrera on the books. The two-time MVP showed some power in his age 37 season with 10 homers in just over 200 at-bats, but the countdown is on for when the team won’t be paying him anymore. He has three years and $94M left on his contract until an $8M buyout of the 2024 season becomes available.
Youth Is the Future
The Tigers roster has the look of a rebuilding team with ages that begin with a three being quite rare. The good news is that the higher prospects are starting to appear with the big club. Starters Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal got a taste of the big leagues this season, albeit being a rude stay for both. The 23-year-olds represent a large part of the team’s future rotation. Matt Manning is another starter the club has high hopes for along with Joey Wentz and Alex Faedo. Look for all five to man the rotation together as soon as late next season.
On offense, Detroit got to see shortstop Willi Castro for a second stint with the Tigers and was happy to see a .349 average over 129 at-bats. First baseman Jeimer Candelario finally delivered on his potential with a .872 OPS and 29 RBI’s in 185 at-bats. Outfielders JaCoby Jones and Victor Reyes showed big-league abilities. Rookies Isaac Paredes and Daz Cameron scuffled in short stays with the big club. Niko Goodrum, despite struggling offensively in 2020, continued to demonstrate that he could play most anywhere in the field without hesitation.
The real future big bats for the organization are still early in their development. Outfielder Riley Greene showed real potential in the low minors in 2019 and swung the bat well in 2020’s spring and summer training sessions. June draft picks Spencer Torkelson and Dillon Dingler were formidable collegiate hitters but were unable to play any further due to the cancellation of the minor league season. Another year of strong drafting should stock the Tiger farm system to even higher levels.
The Big Decision
Offseason moves in Detroit should begin with the status of Executive VP and General Manager Al Avila whose contract was up at the end of the season. Opinions vary on Avila’s performance in breaking up the team and starting the rebuild, so owner Chris Ilitch has the biggest decision to make for the team over the winter.
Arbitration would seem to be the greatest consideration for the roster. Candelario, Jones, and Goodrum will be joined by Matthew Boyd, Daniel Norris, Michael Fulmer, Buck Farmer, and Joe Jimenez in waiting to see whether they will sign or take their case to an arbiter. Free agency doesn’t look to be a high priority for a team like the Tigers that is looking to develop their young talent. However, the signings of veterans C.J. Cron, Jonathan Schoop, Austin Romine, and Ivan Nova last winter were surprising but served the club well. There might be some opportunity for a few second or third-tier free agents to get another year in the sun in Detroit while the prospects percolate. Boyd has been enigmatic and is a solid trade candidate as he approaches free agency following the 2021 season.
Patience is already a popular word among Detroit Tigers fans and will need to continue to be. A moderate influx of talent has already arrived from the minors and signals a real pivot toward brighter days. The keys for the team will be to continue to acquire and develop young players and determining who will be the individual responsible for doing it. Whether it’s Al Avila or someone else, there is still a lot of work to be done in the coming years in order for the Tigers to build a contending organization again.
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