Detroit Tigers: 10 Free Agents to sign heading into the 2021 season

First Baseman: C.J. Cron

The slugging first baseman got off to a scorching start with the Detroit Tigers in 2019. Eventually, it cooled off before suffering a severe knee injury that would derail him for the remainder of the season.

C.J. Cron is a player the Tigers should consider re-signing to another one-year, ‘prove it’ type deal for the 2021 season.  Cron is coming off of that knee injury and will need to prove he can be durable and still hit with that same raw power he’s displayed throughout his career.

As previously mentioned, the Tigers have a vacancy at first base and should look to fill it with a familiar face.  The soon to be 31-year old will undoubtedly have a market for his services, but in Detroit, he will have an opportunity to play every day and hit behind or in front of Miguel Cabrera.

After hitting 30 and 25 home runs in back-to-back seasons, Cron hit just four with the Tigers in 52 plate appearances before the injury.  Cron hit just .190 with 16 strikeouts and nine walks.

Avila will likely be able to land the first baseman for a mere $5 million on a one-year deal.  The deal isn’t just affordable for the Tigers; it’s a very reasonable contract to move at the MLB trade deadline if Cron can attain that same power he’s proved to maintain in the past.

At this point, Avila needs to continue searching for MLB players that hold some trade value that he can flip for future assets as the organization continues to reinforce the organization’s farm system.