Three Free Agents the Tigers Must Sign this Offseason
By Bob Heyrman
Brian Dozier
Again the Tigers are hard up for power-hitters. Yes, another veteran that used to play in the American League Central Divison regularly against the Detroit Tigers. Brian Dozier is a 33-year old second baseman that hit 20 home runs last season with the World Champion Washington Nationals.
Dozier spent seven seasons with the Minnesota Twins before finding himself on a World Series championship club. Dozier is another player that doesn’t hit for much of an average, and that doesn’t exactly play well on the analytic side of things, but that should keep him available to sign. Sometimes these older players sit quite a while in free agency hoping to land another gig.
Detroit should be able to gobble up a player like Dozier, plug him into their lineup, and if he can produce the same type of numbers he has throughout his career, there should be a trade market for him come July 31st.
Detroit wouldn’t land a top prospect, but perhaps they could add a couple of young bullpen arms, something the team has been lacking for nearly my entire lifetime.
To go with his 20 HR’s last season, Brian drove in 50 RBI’s and stole 3 bags. His OBS is just .340, but a guy who can hit fifth or sixth would be very beneficial to Detroit. The Tigers tired a similar method last season with Josh Harrison, and he didn’t last the year. Might as well try again, a veteran player like this can help bring the young Tigers prospects along.