They can slow play him. Hold him down a couple of weeks to gain an extra year. Wait until his arbitration eligible date has passed. Or, sign a team friendly deal for 6 years plus a couple of team options.
I would hesitate to bring up Keith until next year, so the Tigers can have some leverage in signing him to a long-term deal. The Tigers haven't done that before.
Positional value is also very important in baseball. Though all of the years at the top of the draft, the Tigers have never taken a shortstop high in the draft.
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2023/06/18/detroit-tigers-prospect-colt-keith-third-base-obsession/70334149007/
Great article by Lynn Henning on Colt Keith, and how he's obsessing to master 3rd base defensively.
The article is for subscribers only.
According to BA, the Tigers have seen C Kyle Teel of Virginia a lot, and would take him if Crews and Langford go 1-2. Sounds like the Tigers are extremely high on Langford.
I might have a tear in my labrum. Or, more likely it's tendonitis. I am waiting for an ultrasound at the end of July.
In other news, the Tigers have the fifth worst record in baseball.