MLB Free Agents 2012: 5 Moves Detroit Tigers Should Make to Get Back in Playoffs

The Detroit Tigers 2011 season is barely cold, but the pressure will be quickly forthcoming on the front office to build upon the momentum from the postseason run. The season fulfilled many realistic aspirations but a lack of depth was exposed at a few positions.

The Tigers have proven not to be cheap as their payroll was just under $106 million. That amount was good for tenth in the majors last season.

General Manager Dave Dombrowski has had his ups and downs during his tenure with Detroit. The following slides are five suggestions for exceeding last years 95-win total. 

The Detroit TIgers Must Acquire a Second Baseman

Carlos Guillen had a good run as a second basemen with the Detroit Tigers, but that journey has reached its final destination. Guillen will be a free agent in a couple weeks and this will free up $13 million that can be better used to find his replacement.

A dream scenario would have seen Brandon Phillips ending up in Detroit as he would provide an instant shot in the arm for the Tigers' offense. He hit .300 last year and can help the defense, considering he won Gold Gloves in 2008 and 2010.

The Cincinnati Reds exercised their 2012 option for $12 million in September and the likelihood of them being willing to trade him is remote. 

The more likely option would be to find an alternate second basemen in the trade market. Without Phillips available, the talent pool is too shallow this year at the position. Perhaps the Tigers will have to part with one of their young power pitchers, in order to fulfill this need.

The Detroit Tigers Will Pick Up Jose Valverde's $9 Million Option

Jose Valverde, or "Papa Grande," reminded Detroit Tigers fans this year of the Todd Jones experience. When Jones would enter the game, fans were confident that they were going to be taken on a roller coaster ride, but also that he would get the save more times than not.

Valverde might have provided some anxiety, but he coasted through the entire season and postseason without blowing a single save. There aren't many closers on the market who will be capable of converting 52 straight saves.

The Tigers hold a $9 million option on Valverde, and common sense would lead one to believe that it will be exercised in short order.

Dave Dombrowski Must Pick Up or Retain a Third Baseman

Former fan favorite Brandon Inge still has one more year left on his monstrous contract. Detroit loved him when he was hitting his way into the Home Run Derby, but his batting skills have eroded to the point that he was sent to the minors to correct his swing.

Wilson Betemit was brought over in a midseason trade from the Kansas City Royals. He had a solid, if not unspectacular, season but could bridge the gap until Nick Castellanos is ready to be an everyday big league player.

Another intriguing option that has been floated out there is to sign Jose Reyes and move Jhonny Peralta over to third base. It would appear this scenario is far fetched, but the Detroit Tigers will have some payroll available with the defections of Carlos Guillen and Magglio Ordonez.

The Detroit Tigers Must Resurrect the Leadoff Hitter

Austin Jackson roamed centerfield this season, making highlight catches and throwing out baserunners. Unfortunately, his offense did not provide the same kind of effect for the Detroit Tigers.

His defense is too invaluable in spacious Comerica Park and he is too young for the Tigers to think about giving up on him. Still Detroit needs better production from their leadoff spot to get the offense jump started and provide the meat of the lineup with baserunners to knock in.

Jackson struck out 200 times this past season, including the playoffs, and must spend the offseason in the film room fixing his swing. That is unless the Tigers can pull off the aforementioned Jose Reyes deal. Then Jackson can be moved down in the order and Reyes would instantly fill the void. 

Dave Dombrowski Needs to Pick Up a Back Up Catcher

Alex Avila had an All Star year for the Detroit Tigers, but seemed to wear down in the playoffs. His knees appeared to be hurting him and manager Jim Leyland admitted that it probably had to do with a lack of rest.

The Tigers acquired Victor Martinez last offseason, but his days as a catcher are few and far between at this point in his career. Brandon Inge has been used in the past to fill in at catcher as well but his knees can barely stand playing third base these days. 

Dave Dombrowski must bring in a veteran catcher to spell Avila and allow the young catcher to continue to grow into an offensive force. Could the return of Ivan Rodriguez be possible?