Detroit Tigers: First Base Options For The 2020 Season
By Tyler Kotila
The Detroit Tigers need to take the time to figure out what they’re going to do with their first baseman vacancy. The market has a few players who would fit well with the Tigers organization; Al Avila needs to make the right moves to ensure the Tigers get whom they want.
With Winter Meetings taking place this week, the Detroit Tigers have to figure out what the best option is to fill their needs for a first baseman. The Tigers need a few position players to round out their roster, a catcher, a first baseman, an outfielder, and a middle infielder should do the trick.
General Manager Al Avila is exploring the market, looking for the best options, and it seems that there could be some specific names they are looking to target; however, they may have some options from within the current 40-man roster who could suffice.
The question is, who provides the most amount of value from a one-year or short-term signing. The Tigers need to bring in free agents who will be able to fill a void in the lineup, possibly bring in trade value for the 2020 trade deadline.
Al Avila needs to explore whom he can bring in to help the organization while they’re continuing to suffer through this rebuild. The way things stand, the teardown stage should be nearing an end, according to Al Avila. The market for first baseman for a team that is looking for rentals is pretty steep and will allow a decent amount of teams to get bargains; the question is who the Tigers will sneak in and grab.
The answer that no one wants to hear is staying within the organization. With Al Avila commenting that Niko Goodrum is slotted in as the starting shortstop for 2020, the first baseman position could be filled from within from three different sources. The first option would be to bring back John Hicks.
This is highly unlikely since Hicks most likely is not thrilled with the organization after electing free agency when they demoted him to Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. Hicks spent the last four seasons in the Tigers organization, finishing last season with a .210/.379/.240 slash line with thirteen home runs and 35 RBI. Hicks could be a first baseman and catcher option if he is not reluctant to return to the organization.
Within the organization right now, Jeimer Candelario could make a move over to first base as he was already taking reps at the position last season. He struggled through the 2019 season, managing a .203 average over ninety-four games for the Tigers, he could eat up innings at first base while the Tigers decide what the future plan will be for the position.
Another possibility from within is Brandon Dixon, a utility guy who posted a .248/.435/.290 with fifteen home runs, fifty-two RBI for the Tigers in 117 games. They could move Dixon to first base permanently, but ideally, he would be a utility player and a bat off the bench.