Tigers Loosely Linked To Ex-Yankees Utility Man After Strong Season

It sounds like the Tigers could end up being a fit for the former Yankees utility man

One former member of the New York Yankees could end up having a strong market in free agency.

The free agent market has moved extremely slowly this offseason. The free agent market started slowly as clubs pursued two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and it still is moving slowly as clubs wait for Orix Buffaloes ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto to decide which club he will sign with. 

Once Yamamoto ultimately decides where he's going to land, the free agent market is expected to heat up quickly. There are plenty of intriguing players still available in the free market. One player who is expected to have a solid market is former Yankees utility man Isiah Kiner-Falefa. 

The 28-year-old spent the last two seasons in New York and impressed. He already has been connected to multiple teams and one club that has been loosely linked to him is the Detroit Tigers, according to Bleacher Report's Zachary Rymer.

"With (Kenta Maeda) and (Jack Flaherty) in their rotation, (Andrew Chafin) in their bullpen, and (Mark Canha) in left field, the Tigers have already addressed their biggest needs," Rymer said. "Since Matt Vierling posted a .823 OPS as a third baseman this season, it may be a reach to call third base a true 'need' for Detroit.

"But it wouldn't be the worst idea to add another option, particularly if said option comes with defensive versatility. Welp, somebody said 'defensive versatility.' That means it's time to bring up Isiah Kiner-Falefa. And in all seriousness, his ability to play anywhere on the diamond on defense and to get the bat to the ball on offense would make him a nice fit for Detroit."

Rymer compiled a list of realistic free-agent targets and linked Kiner-Falefa to the Tigers. There have been rumblings that the Yankees could look to bring Kiner-Falefa back this offseason, but at this point, it seems like he may be playing elsewhere when the 2024 campaign rolls around.