How the Detroit Tigers Should Handle Each of Their Big-Name Free Agents

It’s shaping up as a hugely intriguing offseason for the Detroit Tigers.

It was a bumpier winter a year ago with big-name players entering and exiting the Motor City. This year should be just as frenetic, albeit with a different complexion. Last year, the Tigers had most of their key players under contract for at least another year. This time they do not have that luxury.

The Tigers have eight players who are soon to be off contract: Max Scherzer, Victor Martinez, Torii Hunter, Joakim Soria (club option), Joba Chamberlain, Phil Coke, Jim Johnson and Joel Hanrahan.

In an ideal world, all of the players that Detroit wishes to retain will return in 2015. However, that may not be realistic.

Martinez and Scherzer are arguably the best hitter and pitcher on the market and are certain to attract more than their fair share of suitors.

Several factors will implicate on Detroit’s ability to re-sign their veterans. Money is obviously a huge issue. Scherzer’s rejection of a six-year, $144 million contract—as reported by Jon Morosi of foxsports.com—proves that point.

Other considerations, such as age and health will also play a part. Tigers’ president and general manager Dave Dombrowski faces some tough choices. He will be torn between retaining his aging (but productive) veterans and having a young, dynamic team.

He knows through first-hand experience (i.e. Justin Verlander) that productivity declines with age. He must consider the probable dropoff in performance of players like Martinez (36 in December) and Hunter (39) over the next few years.

On the other hand, if players are allowed to walk, it will be extremely difficult to replace them either internally or externally—especially Scherzer and Martinez.

It seems that Dombrowski is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t.

However, with a wealth of experience (and financial backing), Tigers’ fans must trust that he is the right person to be on the hot seat.

The verdict for handling each of Detroit’s impending free agents is detailed below.

Max Scherzer

Scherzer is undoubtedly the biggest name on the MLB free-agent market.

During the past five years, the right-hander has emerged as one of the game’s elite starting pitchers.

According to Fangraphs, only Verlander and Clayton Kershaw have recorded more wins than Scherzer (82) since 2010. He also ranks fourth in strikeouts (1081) over that span.

As mentioned, the Tigers think highly enough of Scherzer to have offered him a large contract earlier this year. Clearly, the 30-year-old believes that he is worth more than $24 million per year. It seems that the market will prove him correct.

According to an interview with MLB Network Radio (h/t ESPN), Scherzer has stated that he would like to return to Detroit. But how much money does he—and agent Scott Boras—expect? What teams would be able to afford him?

Only the Yankees, Red Sox, Mariners, Cubs, Rangers, Angels, Dodgers and Detroit would be capable of forking out more than $150 million to secure his services.

USA TODAY Sports

According to baseballprospectus.com, Detroit already has two of the top five highest-ever paid (average per year) MLB players on their current roster: Miguel Cabrera (1st) and Verlander (5th). Scherzer’s contract would also put him in that company.

With both of the above showing signs of decline, will the Tigers be so bold again?

Verdict: Increase the original offer by $15-20 million and put the ball in Scherzer’s court.

Victor Martinez

Martinez was at a similar point to Scherzer four years ago. At 31, he had his sights set on getting the highest payday of his career.

The former Indian ended up signing for the Tigers on a four-year, $50 million deal. In the ensuing years, Martinez has matured like a fine wine and produced some of the finest numbers in his career.

This season his performances have propelled him into the MVP conversation after posting career highs in home runs (32), batting average (.339), on-base percentage (.409) and slugging percentage (.565).

USA TODAY Sports

The switch hitter’s outstanding year may result in his new salary exceeding the previous one. Detroit's budget should cover this, but there are other obstacles as noted by MLive’s James Schmehl on 1130 WDFN radio:

"

It’s a risk to offer Victor Martinez a three- or four-year deal only because of the injury concerns of Miguel Cabrera and the fact that Martinez is 35 years old. It’s not gonna be so much the money. It’s whether or not they are willing to give that fourth year and that’s the question that Dave Dombrowski is still going to have to consider.

"

Verdict: Offer Martinez a three-year deal for $50-55 million with a club option for a fourth season.

Torii Hunter

Despite much discussion (and some confusion) about Hunter calling time on his career, he has not made any decisions as yet:

Even though he is due to turn 40 next year, Hunter has shown little sign of slowing down.

After two seasons in Detroit, a coveted World Series ring has still not materialised for the 16-year veteran. Hunter’s postseason stats have not helped his cause—11-55 (.200), 2 XBH, 2 RBI, 11 SO (14 games).

	Average	RBI	Slugging %
2010	.281	90	.464
2011	.262	82	.429
2012	.313	92	.451
2013	.304	84	.465
2014	.286	83	.446

The heir apparent in right field is highly touted prospect Steven Moya. The powerful slugger had his first taste of the majors this season but appears to need more time in the minors to cut down on his strikeouts (161 in 515 AB per milb.com).

Two other factors are also at play: Detroit signing a free-agent outfielder, such as Colby Rasmus, and whether Martinez re-signs.

Verdict: This is a tough one. If Martinez returns, Hunter probably won’t. If Martinez departs, offer Hunter a one-year, $10 million contract.

Joakim Soria

Unlike the uncertainty surrounding the others, Detroit has complete control over Soria’s immediate future. The Tigers hold a one-year, $7 million club option on the veteran righty.

Soria’s CV places him among baseball’s premier relievers. In seven seasons with the Rangers and Royals, the 30-year-old accumulated 177 saves and an impressive 2.51 ERA.

However, the milk turned sour when he hit Motown this July.

Soon after his arrival, Soria landed on the disabled list for six weeks with an oblique injury. When healthy, he was inconsistent and nowhere near the force that he had been. His postseason performance—1 IP, 4 H, 5 ER (2 games)—likewise did nothing to endear him to the Tigers faithful.

USA TODAY Sports

Despite his disappointing start in Detroit, they should consider this an aberration and expect big improvements next season.

Their bullpen needs all the help it can get, too. Getting quality relief pitching from Soria should also alleviate some of the bitter taste of trading away pitching prospects Corey Knebel and Jake Thompson.

Verdict: Pick up his one-year club option.

Phil Coke

Lefty Coke has now spent five years in Detroit’s home blue and whites. Despite mixed results, he has always given maximum effort no matter the circumstances.

During his Tigers tenure, the 32-year-old has appeared on the mound as a middle reliever, setup man, closer and even as a starter.

While he has shown flashes of brilliance, Coke has never quite reached expectations consistently in Detroit.

USA TODAY Sports

The Tigers are expected to make a splash in free agency to acquire a lights-out left-handed reliever, such as Andrew Miller or J.P. Howell.

Other pitchers in the system may also squeeze Coke out of the equation. Rookie Blaine Hardy made a good impression this season, and youngsters Kenny Faulk and Joe Mantiply are also impressing in the minors.

Verdict: Let Coke walk.

Joba Chamberlain

Chamberlain’s postseason calamities seem to have masked his fine work earlier this season.

"

And honestly if you consider preseason expectations, Joba Chamberlain was pretty good too

— Brandon Warne (@Brandon_Warne) October 12, 2014"

After a couple of poor years in Yankee pinstripes, the veteran righty had a respectable 3.56 ERA with 29 holds (2nd in AL) for Detroit in 2014.

His 63 innings pitched were his most since having Tommy John surgery back in 2011. Chamberlain should be even stronger next season.

The $2.5 million he earned this year will need to be increased in order to retain him, but he’s probably worth it.

Verdict: Make Chamberlain an enticing offer to stay.

Jim Johnson and Joel Hanrahan

Johnson was one of the worst pitchers in baseball this season—7.09 ERA (54 games). Hanrahan missed the entire year after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2013.

They are both worth a shot at minimal investment with the hope of them returning to their glory days.

Verdict: Offer both minor league contracts.

Unless otherwise stated, all stats in this article are courtesy of fangraphs.com

To talk baseball and other sports, please follow me on Twitter: @jdunc1979