Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports
As the Detroit Tigers enter the thick of the MLB offseason, the front office has some work to do. While sorting through all the trade rumors surrounding ace pitcher Tarik Skubal, Detroit also has some holes on the roster to fill.
After coming within one game of the American League Championship Series, the Tigers clearly have a core group that can do some damage. With the experience that the team gained this past season, Detroit could be one of the favorites to represent the AL in the World Series next year.
But it will be up to the front office to add to this team to fully maximize this winning window. Adding to the infield will be crucial, and we could see the Tigers be aggressive this winter.
However, the Tigers may choose to be smart with the moves they make, even if that means not making majorly “splashy” type decisions. But if this team doesn’t want to waste another year, taking full advantage of this chance could be the best thing for the franchise.
This is just a prediction, NOT a report!
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Munetaka Murakami Chooses Detroit Tigers
With the Tigers needing help in the infield, the team could look to go after Japanese star Munetaka Murakami. Murakami was posted by his NPB team a few weeks ago, and there is now a deadline for big league clubs to sign him.
Detroit could find itself in the mix, especially since it has a real need for someone over at third base. There is a lot to like about Murakami, and many around the game believe that he could be a future All-Star in the league.
When he was just 21 years old, Murakami won the Central League MVP award, which first got him noticed around the world. The infielder then followed that accomplishment up by posting one of the more historic seasons in the history of the league.
His 2022 season saw him hit .318/.458/.710 with 56 home runs, breaking a record for most home runs by a Japanese player. Murakami won the Triple Crown in the process, further showing the dominance that he had during the season.
Over the past few years, his numbers have come back down to a respectable level, but the potential of Murakami is still there. However, like any player, especially those coming over from the NPB, there are some concerns around the infielder.
Oftentimes, we see Japanese players struggle to hit velocity since the speed of the game isn’t the same as it is in the United States. Murakami has fallen into this category, and there are some teams that could be hesitant to go after him.
Murakami struck out 41.7 percent of the time against fastballs faster than 93 mph, which could be a concern for his transition to the big leagues. However, his overall potential could also negate these fears, and Murakami remains a hot commodity on the open market.
If the Tigers were to add him, he could simply slot into the open third base side, or even take over as a designated hitter at different times. Even with his velocity issues, Detroit should still look into landing him to fill the gap on the roster.
With the core in place, he could be put into a comfortable lineup that could protect him throughout the year as he adjusts to the speed. Overall, Detroit may be one of the better landing spots for the infielder, and the Tigers should do whatever it takes to land his services for the foreseeable future.