Detroit Tigers: 10 Free Agents to sign heading into the 2021 season
By Bob Heyrman
Outfielder: Michael Brantley
If the Detroit Tigers decided to sign corner outfielder Michael Brantley, it would need to be a multi-year commitment. The soon to be 34-year old veteran outfielder is in a position to sign perhaps his last lucrative contract and should not settle for anything less than a three-to-five-year deal.
The Houston Astros are hoping to retain the veteran outfielder, but with the Tigers hiring former Astros manager A.J. Hinch, don’t remove Detroit from the conversation.
Tigers team owner Chris Ilitch promised general manager Al Avila and newly signed manager A.J. Hinch that the franchise will be willing to consistently spend money on free agents to mix in with their youth to build a competitive team once again.
Brantley would bring a much-needed veteran bat to the top of the Tigers lineup. Brantley is also a left-handed bat, something that’s seemed to elude the Tigers for years.
Tigers fans had a first-hand look at Brantley for years during his Cleveland Indians days. Brantley spent ten seasons with the Tribe hitting a tremendous .295 over along with a .351/.430 line. Brantley had battled various injuries during his Indians career but has managed to stay relatively healthy over his last three seasons.
Over the last two seasons with the Astros, Brantley has stashed a stellar .309/.370/.497 line. He’d be a plug and play everyday left fielder and fit perfectly as a top-three everyday hitter in Detroit’s lineup.
With Riley Greene still a couple of years away, and Christian Stewart proving to be a very inconsistent bat and fielder, the Tigers could use a reliable outfield bat to pair with JaCoby Jones and Victor Reyes. Brantley would be a significant upgrade to Cameron Maybin of last season.