Detroit Tigers: Predicting the 2018 lineup ahead of the trade deadline
By Matt Snyder
Left Field: Christin Stewart
Christin Stewart, the Tigers’ top hitting prospect, hasn’t played above the AA level yet, but he’s mashed at every stop in the minor leagues. Through 75 games at AA in 2017, Stewart has posted a .350 on-base percentage and .549 slugging average with 18 home runs.
Stewart isn’t a good defender — most evaluators think he’s a DH in the long-term — but the Tigers won’t have many at-bats available at that position if Victor Martinez is still around. The Tigers probably aren’t going to make a serious playoff push in 2018 so getting poor quality defense from left field wouldn’t really hurt anything.
It’s doubtful that he would crack the roster on opening day (with service time considerations and all), but Stewart will turn 24 next season and should get serious consideration for big league playing time if he continues to hit in the minor leagues.
Mike Gerber is also a prospect option to get MLB playing time in the outfield with the Tigers in 2018. He has hit .292/.366/.445 with seven home runs AA Erie this season and, like Stewart, was named to the Eastern League All-Star team.
Center Field: Mikie Mahtook
The Tigers might be coveting center field prospects on the trade market this year, but it’s not likely that they’ll get one who’s ready to take over right away in 2018. If they’re unable to nab a major league ready prospect then we’ll be treated to a rerun of 2017 in the center field position. Mikie Mahtook is the leader in the clubhouse for playing time, but JaCoby Jones will probably get another look at some point as well.
Right Field: Justin Upton
Even if J.D. Martinez isn’t traded this summer (I’d put the odds at 99% that he is), it’s hard to imagine the Tigers ponying up for another long-term, high-dollar contract. The right field opening could allow Upton to shift over from left field (Upton has played more right field than left in his career) and open a spot for someone like Stewart in left.
Upton has the ability to opt out of the remainder of his contract after this season, but is probably unlikely to risk the four years, $88.5 million he’d have coming his way if he remains with the Tigers.
Next: Detroit Tigers All-Time 25-man Roster
2018 is likely to be a lean year for the Tigers in the win column as they transition from being a team in win-now mode for the better part of a decade to a team building for some future date yet unknown.