I was hoping the Tigers could swing a deal for Ha Seong-Kim (SD) this past offseason. The glove plays around the IF. Solid OBP, lower SO%, higher BB%, not much in the ISO but popped 16 HR last season, some speed. He is at $8M this season, arbitration eligible for two more seasons, but I think there’s a mutual option to get into that after this season. So I’m not quite sure what the deal is there. But I thought he would have been a good left side of the IF defender, insurance at 2B if Keith completely fell apart for this season, and a competent get on base guy.
I have not looked much at upcoming FA. The current IF needs help offensively. Teams always churn through bullpen arms. I think they’ve got a rock star in Skubal and solid SP in Olson. I’d entertain extending Flaherty, but I suspect he’d want more than 3 years guaranteed (I think that’s as far as I’d go, tack on vesting option or two).
Torkelson really determines a lot, I think. He could earn 1B or they could move on from him. I think there could be some internal domino effect related to that.