The Tigers are embracing the utility role

Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty ImagesOf all the positions in baseball, utility men typically do not find themselves high on any sort of list. Sure, defensive flexibility is a plus, especially in today’s world of expanded bullpens, but intentionally seeking out players who can field a host of positions is not usually a team’s top priority. Nevertheless, there always seems to be at least one option somewhere along the bench.

This role has been filled by plenty of Tigers in recent years. Just the past decade has featured names like Don Kelly, Ramon Santiago, and Andrew Romine. Their value can be hard to quantify; at the plate, their production was often frustrating, but their ability to move…