The Detroit Tigers are smack dab in the middle of a rebuild and it will likely be a couple more years (at least) before they are ready to contend for a World Series.
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We have seen over the past couple of seasons that general manager Al Avila has been doing everything he can to reduce payroll while building up the Tigers’ minor league system at the same time.
Though the farm system is in a much better place than it was a few seasons ago, minor league prospects are a dime a dozen and counting on a majority of them to pan out is wishful thinking. In addition, when it comes to position players, the Tigers are severely lacking in that department as their minor league prospect rankings is very top heavy with pitchers.
At some point, the Tigers will have to pony up the cash to sign a big-name free agent position player or two and Avila knows that.
But how soon will the team be ready to re-enter the free agent market as a big-time player like they were back when the late Mike Ilitch was running the show?
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Well, according to Anthony Fenech, the Tigers may be ready to spend some money on free agents following the 2020 season. Fenech also notes that just so happens to be when the best player in baseball, Mike Trout, hits free agency.
Ideally, the Tigers would like to re-introduce themselves to the free agent market after the 2020 season. That winter, Mike Trout is scheduled to be a free agent.
— anthony fenech (@anthonyfenech) March 4, 2019
So, the question is, should the Tigers do whatever they can to sign Trout to be their next centerfielder?
In my opinion, the answer to that question is a no-brainer, the Tigers absolutely should do everything in their power to lure Trout to the Motor City for the 2021 season.
When Trout hits free agency, he will be 29 years old which gives him plenty of good years left, assuming he stays healthy.
Manny Machado and Bryce Harper recently signed contracts that are mind-boggling and you can bet your bottom dollar that Trout will get more than both of them, as he should.
In my opinion, neither Machado nor Harper are worth what they got but Trout absolutely will be worth every penny and the Tigers should pay up.
By the way, this works out perfectly if Trout wants to keep his No. 27 as the Tigers’ current No. 27 Jordan Zimmermann will no longer be with the team as he becomes a free agent the same time as Trout does.
The stars are aligning Tigers’ fans!
