Detroit Tigers: Marwin González adds more versatility to rebuilding team

The Detroit Tigers have not added anyone to their infield after losing Jonathan Schoop, who is a free agent, but could Marwin González be an answer? The Tigers need to add someone who is capable of the middle infield role, and González is someone who could fill that role.

González slowed down a little in 2020 but still could serve as a utility player. The issue is that the Detroit Tigers already have utility players in Harold Castro and Niko Goodrum, who are both versatile. While Goodrum was supposed to find a home at shortstop in 2020, his performance was utterly disappointing.

Adding in someone like González could allow him to split time and even rotate in Willi Castro, who can platoon between middle infield positions as he settles in at the big league level. González is a good signing for the Tigers IF they choose to move on from Schoop.

I want to make it clear, re-signing Schoop to be the everyday guy at second base is my first preference. But forgoing a reunion with Schoop to sign González would be acceptable in my mind. González’s versatility would work well with the Tigers’ current pieces and the prospects who will be slotted in.

Taking a flyer on Marwin González is not a half-bad idea for the Detroit Tigers.

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Looking back on last year, González played in 53 games for the Minnesota Twins where he hit .211/.286/.320 with five home runs and 22 RBI.

In 2019, González played in 114 games during the last full season, where he hit .264/.322/.414 with 15 home runs and 55 RBI for the Twins.

The biggest blemish with González is the fact that he was a part of the sign-stealing Houston Astros team from 2017, where he posted his best career statistics.

Now, I will leave the sign-stealing conversation for another time, but the Tigers hired the former manager of the Astros, so what difference does it make to hire one of the players for that team?

González has chemistry with Hinch, having played for him in Houston, so bringing him in seems like an even more logical move, but time will tell. Cheating aside, Hinch was a good hire for this organization, why can’t the same be said for González?

The production may be slowing from what it was in past years, but there really is no pressure here in Detroit. A one-year deal with the Tigers should be a smart decision by the utility player. González would get a chance to prove himself in different positions.

The best part about him is that he could be moved around and not be locked in as a shortstop or left fielder.

While the Detroit Tigers already have utility player options, considering Marwin González is something the front office should be tossing around as the offseason continues.