Detroit Tigers Rumors: 5 Possible Free-Agent Targets In 2015

Aug 29, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Colby Rasmus (28) gets an hit during the third inning in a game against New York Yankees at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Colby Rasmus

The Detroit Tigers need a center fielder post Austin Jackson.

Jackson spent four-years in Detroit, going through ups and downs, but remaining solid defensively throughout. The Tigers are still looking for his replacement since he was dealt to the Seattle Mariners as a part of  a three-team trade that brought David Price to Detroit last summer.

In the Tigers hunt, one name in particular comes to mind, Colby Rasmus.

Rasmus, 28, is a left-handed batter and a center fielder. He is also extremely inconsistent.

He debuted with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2009, and since then has had a pair of 4.0 WAR seasons. He also has three seasons with 1.0 WAR or less. He strikes out a ton and doesn’t hit for a high average, but has a career .192 ISO.

Rasmus’ best seasons came in 2010 and 2013. He compiled a 4.0 and 4.8 WAR for the Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays. He hit .276/.361/.498 with 23 home runs and 12 stolen bases in 2010, his best offensive season. His .369 wOBA and 130 wRC+ that year are both career highs. In 2013, he hit .276/.338/.501 with 22 home runs. His 11.2 UZR and 11 defensive runs saved that year were career bests, resulting in 4.8 WAR.

It’s unclear at this point if Rasmus will receive a qualifying offer from the Blue Jays. If he does, he might be inclined to accept it due to his poor play in 2014. However a situation in which he has a draft pick tied to his name could actually work in the Tigers’ favor. The prospect of giving away a first-round pick for a player like Rasmus will scare some teams away, thus lowering the price to obtain him.

Rasmus has the potential to put up big numbers and is the kind of power hitter that fits nicely into the sixth or seventh spot of a lineup.