Report: Tigers Have Discussed Bringing In Cespedes, Raburn, Others
By Ashley Scoby
@AshleyScoby
Al Avila might not be finished just yet.
The Tigers' general manager and vice president of baseball operations made it clear pitching was his priority this offseason. And that goal came through. Detroit signed several players for both the starting rotation and the bullpen, including Mark Lowe, Francisco Rodriguez and Jordan Zimmermann.
But towards the end of MLB winter meetings in December, Avila also mentioned that possible outfield help was still on his wish list. According to CBS' Jon Heyman, the Tigers have discussed several players that could fit the mold.
Left-handed hitting could also be a quality the Tigers are looking for.
Cespedes was a fan favorite to return to Detroit, especially when rumors started flying during winter meetings that the Tigers wanted to bring him back. When Cespedes first left before the trade deadline last summer, it was reported he wanted to return to Detroit someday. The outfielder helped lead the Mets to the World Series, after spending not even a full season with the Tigers in 2015. In 102 games for Detroit, Cespedes batted .293 and collected 18 home runs, 61 RBI and 62 runs.
Ryan Raburn also spent time in Detroit in 2004, and again from 2007-12. In 566 games with the Tigers, Raburn hit .256 and added 54 home runs and 216 RBI.
Signing another outfielder - especially one of Cespedes' caliber - would be a challenge, considering that the Tigers are already close to the luxury tax limit.
