Tigers Shifting Colt Keith To First Base

Tigers President of Baseball Operations Scott Harris met with reporters this afternoon, shortly after the group was finalized One year deal with Gleyber Torres. group Video provided From the 16-minute data session.

Harris confirmed that the Tigers will play Torres at second base. Colt Keith He’ll transfer to first base. Harris famous that Keith might return to Cornerstone within the coming years however famous that “For 2025, our greatest group has Gleyber at second base and Colt at first base.“Keith spent the whole 24-game marketing campaign at second base, logging practically 1,100 innings as a starter.

Keith’s defensive grades had been blended. Statcast charges him simply above common. The defensive runs saved had been a lot much less enthusiastic, as they had been estimated to be eight runs wanting common. Scouting experiences on the 6’2″, 211-pound infielder have pegged him as a premier batsman. Keith could also be a succesful cornerback defender however is unlikely to develop right into a Gold Glove winner.

This was the teenager’s first full season as a second baseman. Keith was drafted as a 3rd baseman and continued to play the new nook till halfway by way of the ’23 marketing campaign. Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press He wrote this morning that the Tigers weren’t keen to maneuver Keith again to 3rd base due to considerations a few prior harm to his shoulder.

Keith’s bat ensures him a spot within the beginning XI. The left-handed hitter had a slash of .260/.309/.380 with 13 homers. These numbers are saddled with a horrible first few weeks. Keith was hitting .154/.222/.165 by way of the top of April. He hit .282/.328/.426 in 457 plate appearances from the start of Could onward. Keith has managed strong manufacturing in opposition to pitchers from both hand. He ought to be within the beginning lineup in opposition to virtually all right-handed pitchers. Skipper AJ Hinch may shield him from a number of left-handers, however the Tigers are unlikely to relegate Keith to a strict platoon position.

If the Tigers weren’t keen to play Keith on the left aspect of the infield, the Torres deal basically compelled him to play first base. Torres has been a full-time second baseman because the Yankees moved him from shortstop in 2022. The Nationals have proven curiosity in transferring him to 3rd base. Jon Heyman of the New York Post It was reported final evening — earlier than Torres signed with Detroit — that the participant turned down Washington as a result of he did not wish to change sides.

Between the change on the sector and a few early offseason chatter concerning the Tigers probably pursuing a veteran starter, it is truthful to surprise if the previous No. 1 general choose Spencer Torkelson He nonetheless has a task on the roster. Unsurprisingly, Harris has publicly prompt that’s nonetheless the case. Detroit’s entrance workplace chief mentioned he spoke with Torkelson earlier than the Tigers introduced the Torres signing. “My message to Turk was: “In case you have an excellent offseason and an excellent spring coaching, there is a position for you on this group.” This group wants extra right-handed energy and we have seen Turk do that previouslyHarris mentioned.

The Tigers have sought right-handed hitting because the begin of the season. Torres addresses that to some extent, though he’s extra of an influence hitter than an excellent hitter. His 38-homer exhibiting from 2019 looks as if an apparent freak present. Torres notched 24 and 25 objectives respectively in 2022 and 23. That quantity is down to fifteen homers this yr, partly as a consequence of an icy chilly April through which he didn’t hit a single residence run.

Torkelson related with 31 homers with a .233/.313/.446 slash line in 2023. A robust second half provided optimism coming into the yr. As an alternative, he stumbled to a .219/.295/.374 mark with 10 homers over 92 video games — struggles that led the Tigers to possibility Torkelson to Triple-A Toledo for an prolonged stretch. A landscape-changing commerce nonetheless appears a definite risk.

Kerry Carpenter He ought to get the majority of his enjoying time at designated hitter. The left-handed swinging Carpenter can be within the lineup both at DH or the outfield nook in opposition to all right-handed pitching. He’ll seemingly be protected in opposition to left-handers, however carrying Torkelson as a short-sided platoon hitter with restricted defensive worth is not an excellent use of a roster spot. Harris mentioned at present that the Tigers don’t view Torkelson as a candidate for any reps at third base or outfield, though he has seen that “With a DH plate look and a possibility at first base, there are nonetheless loads of plate appearances for him.“

Justin Henry Malloya right-handed hitter, can also be within the beginning DH/first combine. Malloy has been a excessive OBP bat within the minors. He hit simply .203/.291/.366 with eight homers in 71 MLB video games as a starter. He nonetheless has a full record of minor league choices, however he is one other hitter with no apparent defensive match and a restricted main league document.

The Tigers are one of many few groups not too long ago linked to the perfect participant on the unsigned place, Alex Bregman. Whereas the Torres signing doesn’t instantly affect third base, it deepens the outfield general. Harris declined to touch upon Bregman, because the CBA prohibits group personnel from saying whether or not they’re in or out of particular free brokers.

He famous that there can be extra strikes on the horizon whereas noting that he’s inspired by how the record is shaping up. “yThe digital itemizing has not but been accomplished. We’re not even in 2025 but. There may be nonetheless a while within the offseason to completely flesh out our roster. However once I take a look at our group now, that is the deepest we have ever been – on each side of the ballHarris mentioned.

Since signing Alex Cobbthe Tigers downplayed their need to amass one other participant. The exception is their pursuit of an NPB star Rocky Sasakiwho can be restricted to a signing bonus of lower than $10 million as a consequence of his worldwide newbie standing. Harris mentioned the Tigers made an preliminary provide to Sasaki’s representatives on Wasserman. He famous that the Tigers are ready to listen to again from Sasaki’s camp on whether or not they may have an in-person assembly after the vacation.

Agent Joel Wolff prompt on the winter conferences that Sasaki, who held preliminary conferences with a number of groups final week, would start narrowing down the sector after returning to Japan for the vacation. The Tigers aren’t the appropriate place for Sasaki, however they will surely welcome the chance to make a suggestion for the 23-year-old right-hander.