Detroit Tigers Discussing Cespsedes, Upton, Davis, Others as Left Field Options
By Matt Snyder
The Detroit Tigers have discussed several options to shore up their outfield, including big names such as Yoenis Cespedes, Justin Upton, and Chris Davis.
Yesterday we passed along a report that said the Detroit Tigers front office was still having internal discussions regarding free agent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.
Today we have a similar report from Jon Heyman indicating the Tigers have discussed a great many options where left field is concerned, including Justin Upton, Chris Davis, and Dexter Fowler.
Tigers have discussed yoenis, j-up, davis, fowler, desmond. Depends on $. may just go for platooner for LF tho (ie raburn)
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 11, 2016
First off, signing Ryan Raburn to be a platoon left fielder would be akin to pouring gasoline on the fan base and lighting a match. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen. Been there, done that. If the options are Raburn or no one, I choose no one (and I always considered myself a Raburn apologist).
More from Detroit Tigers
- Tigers Sign Manager A.J. Hinch to Long-Term Extension
- Former Tigers Celebrate Jim Leyland Hall of Fame Call
- 4 Free Agents Tigers Should Sign During Winter Meetings
- Javier Baez Listed Among Worst Contracts in MLB by The Athletic
- Tigers’ Interest in Kenta Maeda Could be a Disaster for 2024 and Beyond
Second, it seems as if the decision is going to come down to dollars and years. Captain obvious, I know. The Tigers are probably more willing to go bigger on the dollars if the years are short rather than strapping themselves another contract even close to $20 million per year for six or more years.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Mike Ilitch gave the okay to blow the lid off the budget for a year or two while some semblance of a winning window still exists for the franchise. That’s far from a guarantee, however. And it would depend on one player being willing to go that route when they all are seeking long-term security.
While most Detroit Tigers fans seem to be concentrating on Cespedes, Heyman thinks the most interesting candidate is Davis. He hasn’t played much outfield in his career, but the metrics suggest he can be at least average in a corner (albeit in a small sample size).
tigers, 1 of MLB's most improved, would be interesting adding lhh Davis to miggy, martinezes middle. $ a real question tho.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 11, 2016
Davis’ up-down nature has me scared off a bit — he has hit for a wRC+ of 147, 94, 168 going back the last three seasons respectively — and down season for him at the plate would be tough to swallow. That being said, he probably has the highest potential upside for any single season of the big name guys left.
More from Detroit Jock City
- Tigers Sign Manager A.J. Hinch to Long-Term Extension
- Lions vs. Bears Week 14 Opening Odds Disrespect Detroit
- Former Tigers Celebrate Jim Leyland Hall of Fame Call
- This Pistons Team Could be the Worst in Detroit Sports History
- 4 Free Agents Tigers Should Sign During Winter Meetings
While Upton has topped out at 31 home runs and Cespedes 35 home runs (last year), Davis has averaged 42 home runs the last three years. The downside to Davis is that he’s not producing much value if he’s not mashing home runs (his 26 home run season of 2014 saw him earn only 0.8 WAR), but he could be a 5+ WAR player if he dings 40+ homers.