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Detroit Tigers: 5 Players Who Need to Bounce Back in 2016

By Griffin Fabits

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Sep 9, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia hits a two run home run in the fourth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia hits a two run home run in the fourth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Jarrod Saltalamacchia

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was in the prime of his career in 2013, and was on his way to winning his first career World Series title with the Boston Red Sox. In fact, it was Saltalamacchia that drove in the winning run in Game 2 of the 2013 ALCS against the Tigers.

Already used to the changing of scenery, Saltalamacchia will come to Detroit serving as a backup catcher to second-year player James McCann.

After the Red Sox declined his contract for the 2014 season, Saltalamacchia ventured his way through the National League with the Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks for the 2014-2015 seasons. With the Marlins in’14, Salty put posted an unpleasant .220 batting average. In the following year with the Marlins and DBacks, he raised it just .05 points.

His veteran presence allows him to become a mentor to an up-and-coming catcher like McCann and manager Brad Ausmus should favor his left-handed bat when the Tigers need a hitter in the later innings.

Next: Tigers All-Time 25-man Roster

If he can return to being the productive player off the bench he once was, Tiger fans will be able to enjoy the duo of McCann and Salty behind the dish in 2016.

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