The Detroit Tigers could address one of their offseason needs with a relatively modest investment in Austin Hays.

The 31-year-old outfielder offers a specific skill that could help A.J. Hinch: productive hitting against left-handed pitching. For the Tigers, that makes him worth evaluating as a complementary piece in their search for a right-handed hitter who could handle a corner position .

The potential price strengthens the argument. Padres On SI recently cited Spotrac’s calculated market value of $3.2 million over one year for Hays.

That was a valuation estimate, not a reported asking price. Still, it provided a useful starting point for considering how Detroit could improve its bench while preserving resources for pitching.

Hays Could Give Hinch Another Answer Against Left-Handers

Chicago White Sox outfielder Austin Hays.…