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Top 5 potential landing spots for Jason Heyward

By Nathaniel Reeves

Aug 25, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jason Heyward (22) reacts after scoring a run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the sixth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 25, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jason Heyward (22) reacts after scoring a run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the sixth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Tigers

Aug 26, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) pitches to Los Angeles Angels catcher Chris Iannetta (17) in the ninth inning at Comerica Park. Detroit won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 26, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) pitches to Los Angeles Angels catcher Chris Iannetta (17) in the ninth inning at Comerica Park. Detroit won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Tigers are coming off a miserable 74-87 season that signaled the end of their reign in the AL Central. While the window for Detroit may already be shut, the club will almost certainly be in win-now mode this offseason and may be able to take on more big contracts like Heyward.

With an owner desperate for a championship and not much of a farm system to work with, the Tigers aren’t going to mind adding a lot of payroll, even with a hefty amount of salary already locked up for the future. Detroit has the pieces to at least give it another shot in 2016, but will need some help during free agency.

If Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez and J.D. Martinez can all hit to the best of their abilities, the Tigers could return back to their usual offensive numbers next season. While Detroit needs to add more pitching in free agency to have any shot, Justin Verlander’s resurgence and the promise shown by prospect Daniel Norris are good signs for 2016.

Even if the Tigers get the best case scenario from their current roster, right field is still a massive weakness, with Tyler Collins slated to be the everyday starter. Heyward would improve that weakness enough to make Detroit interesting again next season.

Expect the Tigers to be heavily involved with many of the top free agents, with Heyward standing out as a clear fit.

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