Tigers noted as ‘perfect fit’ for $86 million Silver Slugger | Sporting News

The Detroit Tigers were Major League Baseball’s Cinderella squad last season, but the surprising playoff participant needs reinforcements to show that they have staying power among the elite.

Before falling to the Cleveland Guardians in the Division Series, the Tigers shocked the defending American League champion Houston Astros in the Wild Card round.

However, Detroit’s stunning late-season run masked what is still a paper-thin roster

With this in mind, Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report speculates the Tigers are the “perfect fit” for the services of free-agent outfielder Anthony Santander. Spotrac currently projects the eight-year big-league veteran to receive a contract north of $88 million over five years. 

Santander, whose eighth season with the Baltimore Orioles came to an end when the Kansas City Royals swept his team in the American League Wild Card round, is coming off a career year with the AL East contender.

The recent 30-year-old, who was playing on a 1-year, $11.7 million deal, is poised to hit the free agent market after belting 44 home runs with 102 RBI and a .235 batting average this season. He earned his first All-Star nod in 2024 as the biggest bat in a heavy-hitting Orioles lineup that was squelched by the Royals in the playoffs.

Santander has been a consistent power threat over eight seasons in Baltimore, but the 44 homers represent a marked uptick in power production for a slugger whose previous career best was 33 round-trippers in 2022.

Outfielder Riley Greene led Detroit with 24 homers last season, a total that pales in comparison with Santander’s 2024 output. 

Kerry Carpenter, who FanGraphs projects as the Tigers’ Opening Day designated hitter, was limited to just 87 games last season due to injury. His 38 round-trippers over the past two campaigns are still fewer than Santander hit last year alone.

Kelly believes that Detroit signing Santander would allow Matt Vierling, currently penciled in as the Tigers’ right fielder, to move back into a “super utility” role to spell players throughout the infield and outfield.

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