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The Detroit Tigers held their photo day in Lakeland, Florida.
Kirthmon Dozier, Detroit Free Press
LAKELAND, FL – He dropped an obvious hint, revealing a suspicious knowledge of the hungry free agents market, but Ron Gardenhire did not reveal his secret.
Over the past two days in Tiger Town, the Detroit The head of Tigers hinted at potential free agent additions on the horizon. Maybe a first baseman. Maybe a receiver. Perhaps, he said Wednesday afternoon, a starting pitcher of ace. For five dollars.
"There are guys out there with whom we talked before who still have no work," he said. "We still have some needs here. We are always looking for parts, so it could happen. "
When asked exactly what these needs were, Gardenhire replied, "Depth at first goal, maybe a …"
FEATURE – On September 23, 2018, Pittsburgh Pirates second-baseman Josh Harrison thanked spectators for leaving the field at PNC Park after being replaced in the eighth inning of the Milwaukee Brewers Pittsburgh baseball game. Harrison's term at the second base for the Pirates is over. Pittsburgh declined 2019 options for Harrison and third baseman Jung Ho Kang. The Pirates chose to pay Harrison a $ 1 million buyout instead of the $ 10.5 million he was earning next season. (AP Photo / Gene J. Puskar, File) (Photo11: The associated press)
And then he stopped himself, saying, "That would be pretty much what it would be for now."
What Gardenhire was going to say was: "A second player player".
This second player is Josh Harrison, a strong veteran who has been neglected in this year's free agent market and will benefit the team now and perhaps in the future.
While the baseball camps were already in place and unemployed, Harrison agreed Wednesday afternoon to sign a two-million dollar deal with the Tigers, according to several people aware of the situation.
More: Meet Detroit's new Tiger Josh Harrison. He once broke a JV without a batter
The deal makes sense for Detroit: Harrison, 31, is a solid veteran who is improving the Tigers' starting lineup, depth and clubhouse. He has been a two-time National League star player – in 2014 and 2017 with the Pirates – and is considered an energetic and energetic player with a great personality.
In eight seasons, Harrison is a .277 hitter with 52 homers and 75 steals.
Harrison – at a price well below market value – makes the Tigers a better team. He will start at second base, transferring Niko Goodrum into a super-utility role, where he will probably be able to help the team at best, and pushing Dawel Lugo off the list for now.
With Goodrum in a role of super-utility, the Tigers fill their need for depth to the first goal: Goodrum will associate receiver John Hicks to help spell Miguel Cabrera this season, while serving as support around the diamond.
Harrison unofficially repels Lugo's prospect at Triple-A Toledo, where he will receive daily bats. Lugo was a long shot to get the training back in the spring: he probably should have defeated Goodrum for starting second goal to be part of the team.
Harrison also offers a possibility of exchange: it is no secret: the acquisitions of the free agent Tigers during the last two dead seasons were made in the interest of the movement before the deadline of July 31 . If Harrison behaves well in the first half, it would not be surprising if he arouses the interest of a rival team with a second goal.
The move is a win for both sides. The Tigers are evolving now and perhaps in the future, and Harrison is getting a daily job – which may not have been there – and may play baseball significantly this year.
As for the rookies, it's as solid as the team could have done.
Contact Anthony Fenech at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech. Learn more about the Detroit Tigers and sign up for our newsletter.
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