DETROIT -- The Tigers signed one Major League free agent last offseason. That signing, Alex Avila, became a trade commodity by midseason and helped the Tigers pluck an extra prospect from the Cubs in the Justin Wilson trade.
As the Tigers head into another Hot Stove season, expect a similar approach on the free-agent market. The days of Detroit signing megastars to long-term deals are over, for the foreseeable future. As the Tigers embark on a multi-year rebuilding project, they're looking for veterans who can fill holes, and rebound candidates who can bring value.