AP photo by Gail Burton

Bargains will be out there

It remains an open question just how active the Detroit Tigers will be in the final five weeks leading up to spring training.

They certainly have no plans to break the bank in a rebuilding year. But in a historically soft free-agent market, there may be some tantalizing bargains that are impossible to ignore.

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AP photo by Paul Sancya

What the Tigers are looking for

Here’s the criteria:

1. They should be cheap. That means no longer than a one-year Major League contract, or a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training.

2. They should be flippable. These are players who could have at least nominal value in July if they have a good first half of the season.

3. They should fill a need. Some of these potential players would supplant an internal option. The Tigers must weigh the value of any improved performance against the desire to get an extended look at one of their own players.

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AP photo by Jae C. Hong

What do you think?

In the list below, we selected 10 players that meet at least two of the criteria. You'll notice several familiar faces. And a couple of names are more fanciful than realistic.

But with more than 100 Major League free agents, there are plenty to choose from. Do you have any favorites? Leave your thoughts in the comments section.

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AP photo by David Banks

Alex Avila

Why it makes sense: Avila cooled off after a red-hot start to the 2017 season, although it was still the second-best offensive season of his career. It's uncertain how much he'll be able to command in this winter's soft free-agent market. The Tigers could try to sign him on a one-year deal and flip him in July, just as they did a year ago. Avila offers a left-handed bat who can give starter James McCann a day off against tough righties while also giving the Tigers a hedge against injuries to first baseman Miguel Cabrera or designated hitter Victor Martinez.

Why it doesn't: The Tigers already have a backup catcher in John Hicks, who is out of options. By signing Avila, the Tigers would be signalling that they think they could get Hicks through waivers or that they want to use him more as a first baseman/DH than a catcher.

Avila's career numbers

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AP photo by Morry Gash

Nick Franklin

Why it makes sense: Franklin is a switch hitter who can play a bunch of positions, including second base, where the Tigers have a vacancy after trading Ian Kinsler. He could serve an Andrew Romine-like role in 2018.

Why it doesn't: The Tigers already waived Romine; why sign a slightly younger version? The Tigers already have a slew of utility infield options.

Franklin's career numbers

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AP photo by Charles Krupa

Rajai Davis

Why it makes sense: Davis can serve as a veteran presence off the bench and platoon with left-handed hitting Leonys Martin in center.

Why it doesn't: The Tigers have JaCoby Jones and Mikie Mahtook as right-handed options to platoon with Martin. Both are younger and better equipped to patrol center in Comerica Park.

Davis' career numbers

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AP photo by Rich Schultz

Chris Carter

Why it makes sense: Carter will probably have to settle for a minor-league deal. The Tigers could stick him in Toledo as an option if Cabrera gets hurt or Martinez falters.

Why it doesn't: Carter is a right-handed power hitter who strikes out a ton, doesn't hit for average and plays poor defense. The Tigers are trying to get away from that profile.

Carter's career numbers

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Photo by Mike Mulholland | MLive

Anibal Sanchez

Why it makes sense: Sanchez is a well-liked veteran who was respected by the Tigers young players. If he can't find a big-league deal and would be willing to accept the possibility of a Toledo assignment, the Tigers could do a lot worse.

Why it doesn't: Sanchez needs a change of scenery after three seasons of subpar performances in Detroit. A National League team would make more sense.

Sanchez's career numbers

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AP photo by Gail Burton

Chris Tillman

Why it makes sense: Tillman is the quintessential bounce-back player. He enters free agency after the worst year of his career and will be looking for a one-year deal to show he's worth much more when he is back on the market next winter.

Why it doesn't: Although it may seem hard to believe given his 7.84 ERA in 2017, Tillman probably won't be cheap. And if the Tigers sign another starter, it's likely either Matthew Boyd or Daniel Norris would be knocked out of the starting rotation.

Tillman's career numbers

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AP photo by Reed Saxon

Ricky Nolasco

Why it makes sense: He's a veteran innings-eater who would come relatively cheap after the Angels declined the option year on his four-year, $49-million contract.

Why it doesn't: Nolasco is basically Anibal Sanchez. If the Tigers can't do better than that, they might prefer to stick with internal options.

Nolasco's career numbers

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AP photo by Gene J. Puskar

Joaquin Benoit

Why it makes sense: The Tigers talked to Fernando Rodney before he ultimately signed with the Minnesota Twins. How about another old friend? An old, old friend.

Why it doesn't: The Tigers could use another arm in the pen, but signing a 40-year-old retread doesn't square with a rebuilding movement.

Benoit's career numbers

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AP photo by Paul Sancya

Peter Moylan

Why it makes sense: The rubber-armed reliever is deadly on right-handed batters and would give the Tigers a reliable late-inning option.

Why it doesn't: The Tigers will be cautious about overspending on a 39-year-old with a somewhat unconventional career path.

Moylan's career numbers

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Ian Krol

Why it makes sense: The former Tigers left-hander was brilliant in 2016 and will come at a discount after struggling last season.

Why it doesn't: The Tigers have several left-handed options that will probably be cheaper than Krol.

Krol's career numbers