PETER BOURJOS
Peter Bourjos is one of those ‘under the radar’ names that Detroit should consider taking a flier on. The 29-year-old spent the 2016 season in Phildelphia, where in 123 games (255 at-bats) he hit .251/.292/.389 with 23 RBI. Better than a third of his hits (89) last year were good for extra bases. Overall, he’s played seven seasons with the Phillies, Angels and Cardinals, producing a career .243/.300/.382 slash line.
Bourjos is the true prototypical major league center fielder – glove first, bat second. He’s always been regarded as an elite defender, his career .992 fielding percentage ranks 13th among all active major league outfielders. This past season was the first where he was primarily a corner outfielder, he played 115 games in right field for the Phillies. Still, he’s predominantly a CF by trade, nearly 550 games played out there.
His excellent defensive prowess is aided by his speed, though it’s never really translated on the base paths. Bourjos has just 61 stolen bases in his 700+ games played. His season-high of 22 came back in 2011, his career year when he was with the Angels.
A shoulder injury marred what was looking like a very solid season for Bourjos, and questions about his health could be the reason why he is still a free agent. He’d undoubtedly fit the bill of an extremely cost-efficient outfield option that can certainly play all three if need be.
