Why Tigers Trade For Outfielder Austin Meadows Is A Win

DETROIT — The Tigers front office finally showed fans they're committed to fielding a team worthy of competing for the American League Central by bringing in former All-Star outfielder Austin Meadows.

After a busy off-season that saw the Tigers add to their young core by boasting their staring rotation, adding defensive leadership and signing Javier Baez to a huge contract, the Tigers seemed likely to routinely fill the stands at Comerica Park for the first in years.

Part of that plan relied heavily on the tremendous upside to first baseman Spencer Torkelson and outfielder Riley Green, who have shown promise, especially Green who hit .429 with three doubles, two triples and two home runs this spring.

But then Green fouled a ball off his foot, breaking a bone. He was expected to be out at least six weeks, which left the Tigers without a hopeful solid bat in the middle of their lineup. Enter the 26-year-old Austin Meadows, who was not helpful, but proven.

Although Meadows' average slipped a little coming off an oblique injury that wiped out most of his 2020 season, he still smashed 27 homers and drove in 106 RBI in 142 games. His bat will also help off set Baez, who's typically a streaky hitter, accompanied by lots of strikeouts.

While the hopes are high for first baseman Spencer Torkelson to be that solid hitter, he has yet to step on a major league field. Even though third baseman Jeimer Candelario has shown consistency, he probably doesn't have as much potential as Torkelson.

In short, even in a lineup with an aging Miguel Cabrera, Meadows has the potential to be the Tigers' best hitter at the expense of infielder Isaac Paredes, who the Tigers hoped would progress at the plate at a faster rate.

Although there's a lot to like about Paredes, particularly his management of the strike zone, there's no place for him in the Tigers infield, not now or in the years to come. So flipping him to Tampa Bay for a player who has the potential to be the Tigers' best hitter and providing versatility in the outfield certainly feels like a win.