The Tigers designated outfielder Clete Thomas for assignment, the Detroit Free Press tweets. The Tigers now have ten days to remove the left-handed hitting 28-year-old from their roster.
Thomas has appeared in three games this season, including today's contest against the Rays. He has a .253/.336/.391 line in 443 MLB plate appearances, most of which came during the 2008-09 campaigns. Thomas played for Triple-A Toledo last year, posting a .251/.314/.401 line in 406 plate appearances while playing all three outfield positions.
Making room for Drew Smyly I assume. The next option/DFA is gonna be hard as it’ll be for Inge and I’d rather see him cut…
I remember seeing him in ’08 spring training. And I thought he was the future of baseball…. (sarcasm)
Actually, Thomas will be taken off the roster immediately once he is designated. The club has ten days to reassign his contract. If they don’t trade him, he will be put on waivers towards the end of the ten days and if he clears, he will be outrighted to AAA Toledo.
Clete is a very good defender, and he has some pop in his bat but a big hole in his swing. He’s just out of options and the Tigers have other outfielders that they like better.
Two more roster moves are coming before the weekend is up. Clete makes room for Drew Smyly, who will start tomorrow against the Rays. Adam Wilk will be called up to take Fister’s place and will start Saturday. Brayan Villarreal will likely be optioned back to Toledo. Then, Brandon Inge will inexplicably be activated for no good reason whatsoever, and Danny Worth will be hosed and optioned to Toledo, despite being a better hitter, fielder, and runner than Inge.
Brandon Inge’s name is “Brandon Inge” and this organization tends to think that is enough reason to justify a roster spot
Inge should be DFA’ed as well it gives him a chance to stay in the organization if unclaimed. If he is true to his word as he was last year Toledo would have a above average defender at 3rd.
I guess it was a move out of anger! Haha
The Cubs could use another left handed bat off the bench.
Hate to lose our guys, but maybe we could get a bullpen prospect (that could go to AAA possibly) for him. I doubt he’ll clear waivers.
Clete is a somewhat decent 4th/5th OF type. Can play all 3 spots pretty well, including center. He’s had a reverse split, hitting lefties better than righties in the majors, and he played quite a bit against RH in 09. Basically the Tigers have the exact same player in Andy Dirks, who is younger and also hits better. Clete might get a look for a bench spot. Pinch runner, defensive replacement, etc. Plus you won’t find a more wide-eyed player in the majors