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Tigers GM: We'll be shopping for 'bargains' in free agency

Bruce Kluckhohn / USA TODAY Sports

Unlike winters past, don't expect the Detroit Tigers to be big players in free agency this offseason.

Fresh off a disappointing campaign in which the Tigers offloaded heavy earners J.D. Martinez, Justin Verlander, and Justin Upton, general manager Al Avila admitted Monday the club will continue pinching pennies in free agency as it progresses through its strenuous rebuild.

"Free agency is going to be a little different this year than we've been accustomed to in the past," Avila told Evan Woodberry of MLive.com. "We're going to be looking for Major League free agents that are maybe bargains. I guess you could call them that.

"You may not see a free agent signing until maybe January."

The Tigers have made a number of expensive free-agent signings in recent offseasons. In January 2016, the club inked a six-year, $132.75-million contract with Upton. Just two months prior, they locked up starter Jordan Zimmermann with a five-year deal worth $110 million.

Though the Tigers don't expect to throw money around this winter, Avila still intends to field a respectable lineup in 2018.

"We're trying to make sure that we put together a team that can compete solidly over the six months of the season," he told Woodberry.

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