5 Free Agent Center Fielders The Tigers Could Target
By Dan Jenkins
@DanTJenkins
New reports are indicating that the Detroit Tigers might not go through with a rumored fire sale after all.
If the Tigers are serious about contending with the team that they have in 2017, they're going to have to fill out some of their open roster spots first. Detroit is set at most positions, but one glaring hole remains in center field.
General manager Al Avila curiously traded spark-plug center fielder Cameron Maybin to the Los Angeles Angels early in the offseason. Now, the Tigers are forced to promote from within -- most likely JaCoby Jones -- or search the free agent market for an answer.
Here are five options for the Tigers in center field in no particular order:
Austin Jackson
2016 stats: 54 games, .254 batting average, 0 home runs, 18 RBIs
Austin Jackson spent the first four and a half years of his major-league career with the Tigers as he grew into a pretty reliable every-day option. He's bounced around both leagues since being a part of the trade that sent David Price to Detroit in 2014.
Jackson could be a relatively cheap option, also. He signed a one-year contract last season with the Chicago White Sox for only $5 million.
Rajai Davis
2016 stats: 134 games, .249 batting average, 12 home runs, 48 RBIs
Rajai Davis, another former Tiger, was part a big part of the reason the Cleveland Indians came within one win of a World Series Championship in 2016. Davis largely filled in for the oft-injured Michael Brantley and did so admirably while giving the Indians an American League-leading 43 steals.
Davis is 35 and playing out the last few years of his career, but could be a decent platoon option for the Tigers if they're trying to develop young talent at the same time.
Ben Revere
2016 stats: 103 games, .217 batting average, 2 home runs, 24 RBIs
Since being one of the best young outfield prospects during his time in Minnesota, Ben Revere has bounced around a little bit. As far as batting average goes, Revere had a very bad year in 2016 compared to his career average (.285).
He's not known to hit for power, but Revere could be a cheap, reliable option.
Dexter Fowler
2016 stats: 125 games, .276 batting average, 13 home runs, 48 RBIs
Dexter Fowler had an average season in 2016, but he's probably due for a generous payday next year. The 30-year-old made the All-Star Game for the first time in his career and was a part of the World Series Champion Chicago Cubs squad (he even knocked in two big home runs in that series).
Fowler will probably get something in the $10-12 million range, which might not be ideal for the Tigers if they're still trying to cut costs.
Ian Desmond
2016 stats: 156 games, .285 batting average, 22 home runs, 86 RBIs
Ian Desmond had the best season of any of these players in 2016 and that will likely get him a big contract this winter. He made the All-Star squad for the second time in his career in his first season in the American League. After playing shortstop for most of his time with the Washington Nationals, Desmond played 130 games in center field for the Texas Rangers last season.
The Tigers likely aren't going to spend too much in free agency, but if they do, Desmond -- a three-time Silver Slugger Award winner -- might be the best option available.
Which of these players would you like to see in a Tigers uniform? Let us know by voting in our poll or in the comment section below.
