Three potential offseason targets for the Detroit Tigers

The Tigers have a young core of players to build around but need to smartly complement it and hope for a healthy year from the pitching staff. The AL Central still appears to be a division any team could win. 

Gary Sanchez, C, San Diego Padres

Times haven't been kind to Sanchez in recent years. After losing his starting role in New York, being traded to Minnesota and languishing on the free-agent market through spring training he finally received a minor league deal with the Giants last April. Two organizations later, after the Padres claimed him off waivers from the Mets, Sanchez finally seemed to land where he should be. 

Sanchez hit 19 home runs and cut his strikeout rate down to a career-low 24.6% in 260 plate appearances for the Padres. The team's pitchers also reportedly liked working with him. He won't draw a lot of attention on the open market, but there could be a fit in Detroit, either replacing or pairing with Jake Rogers. Neither is going to be an offensive force on their own, but combined they could solidify the team's production behind the plate. 

Brad Keller, RHP, Kansas City Royals

A shoulder injury cost Keller most of the 2023 season, but the right-hander will hit the free agent market as one of the youngest starting options available, having just turned 28 in July. Keller won't overpower many hitters but he is able to limit the hard contact. 

Detroit's rotation was in flux much of the 2023 season and questions remain about the group moving forward. Eduardo Rodriguez's pending opt-out decision will likely play a factor in the team's decisions. Should he depart, the pitching staff would be lacking anyone with experience. Keller wouldn't be your typical "veteran leader" signing, but he could play that role among a young pitching staff. 

Amed Rosario, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers

Cleveland's expectations were high when they acquired Rosario from the Mets as part of the return for Francisco Lindor and initially it appeared as though he would be a fixture for the Guardians for some time. Rosario was just as advertised his first two seasons in Cleveland, but with the team in need of pitching help it moved him at the deadline to the Dodgers. He has struggled as a Dodger, hitting just .235, but Rosario is a lifetime .272/.307/.399 hitter. 

While bringing in a shortstop may not be the Tigers' priority this offseason, it should be as doing so would allow the team to move Javy Baez to second base. Baez has been an offensive hole since joining the Tigers lineup, batting just .229/.271/.356. His 58 OPS+ this season is among the worst in all of baseball among hitters with as much playing time. Baez was, once, among the game's most electric talents and perhaps moving him off of shortstop -- despite his personal preferences -- would allow him to regain some of that form at the plate.