The Tigers announced a flurry of roster moves this afternoon. Chief among those was the team’s decision to exercise their 2024 club options on catcher Carson Kelly and outfielder Mark Canha. In addition, the club designated left-hander Tyler Alexander for assignment, assigned left-hander Andrew Vasquez and right-hander Trey Wingenter outright to Triple-A, and selected the contract of right-hander Keider Montero. There had been no prior indication that Vasquez or Wingenter had been on waivers, but each of them now figures to have the opportunity to become a minor league free agent.
In addition, the Tigers activated Alexander, outfielders Austin Meadows and Riley Greene, as well as right-handers Casey Mize and Freddy Pacheco from the 60-day IL.
It comes as no surprise that the Tigers exercised their $11.5MM option for Canha after they dealt for the veteran outfielder on Saturday. Given the $2MM buyout on his contract, it wouldn’t have made any sense for Detroit to trade for Canha (and give up 25-year-old righty Blake Holub) only to part ways with him two days later. He figures to play an important role in the team’s offense next season, presumably splitting his time between the corner outfield and DH.
As for Kelly, the Tigers were expected to pick up his $3.5MM option for 2024. At his end-of-season press conference, president of baseball operations Scott Harris said the team was seriously considering keeping the backstop in the fold. The team already has a starting catcher in place, 28-year-old Jake Rogers, so Kelly can serve as a capable defensive backup, with the potential to be a little bit more – the former top prospect is only two years removed from an above-average season at the plate. For $3.5MM, the Tigers weren’t going to find much more than that.
Alexander, 29, made 25 appearances for the Tigers in 2023, his first full season as a reliever. He pitched to a 4.50 ERA and a career-best 3.48 SIERA in 44 innings of work. Unfortunately, his solid season came to an early end when he landed on the IL with a shoulder strain in July.
Vasquez spent the first four months of the season with the Phillies, with whom he posted an impressive 2.27 ERA but less promising underlying numbers. He was designated for assignment shortly after the trade deadline, and the Tigers scooped him up. Unfortunately, he couldn’t find the same success in Detroit. Across 12 appearances, he gave up nine runs (eight earned) in just 8 2/3 innings of work. He missed most of September with a calf injury, although he made two scoreless appearances at the end of the month.
After spending most of the first half on the injured list, Wingenter made 17 appearances for the Tigers in 2023, his first big league action since 2019. His 5.82 ERA was troublesome, but his underlying metrics were actually quite encouraging: a 3.43 SIERA, a 3.87 xERA, and a much-improved 3.14 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Then again, he produced those numbers in mostly low-leverage spots, and apparently, the Tigers weren’t impressed enough with what they saw to keep Wingenter on the 40-man roster.
After seven years in Detroit’s minor league system, Montero would have been eligible to elect minor league free agency had the Tigers not added him to the 40-man roster this afternoon. He is coming off a difficult couple of months at Triple-A, but he is still just 23 years old, and evidently, the Tigers like what they have seen enough to keep him around. According to MLB Pipeline, he is the No. 26 prospect in the Tigers system.
Interesting. I didn’t figure they would keep Kelly and thought they would keep Alexander. Seems like more moves to come.
I also expected them to let Kelly go. I wasn’t sure what they’d do with Alexander.
I agree. Given Alexander’s ability to function as a starter, I thought he’d be a lock. Maybe his injury is worse than we thought.
I do not see how Carson Kelly is an upgrade over Eric Haase. When Haase caught in 2023, the Tigers won more often than they lost. And isn’t winning more than losing the most important analytic statistic? Or maybe am I just too old school for this day and age.
@Tim- I think the question that must be answered is “were they winning because of Haase or in spite of Haase?”
Kelly is a player who had his development stunted
I do not believe Canha is worth 3.5 million. His ranking was only 56.There are more talented catchers being released every day for a lot less money
You mean Kelly, not Canha.
I agree. I don’t think Canha is worth 3.5 million either. Unfortunately, ,they paid him a lot more than that!
Casey Mize would be an interesting get for a team like the reds we have similar types to exchange who may just need a new start
I’m pretty sure the Tigers still have high hopes for Mize, they’re not likely to trade him anytime soon.
Mize is coming back from Tommy John. He wasn’t falling out of favor in Detroit. We still expect him to be a 2 or 3 in the rotation
Those 4+ FIP’s and pitiful K rates aren’t the recipe for rotation arm, much less a 2 or 3.
The reports that I read on Mize were very positive. Hopefully he will be the pitcher that the Tigers thought they were getting. This will be an exciting Spring Training.
Tigers activated Austin Meadows? Re-hab working out?
Probably just a procedural move. Gives them some more time to decide whether to offer him via arbitration
I suspect they will offer him a minor league contract to at least keep him on health insurance and keep his brother Parker happier.
They had to move everyone on the 60 day IL on to the 40 man roster. They still have a week to tender him a contract (which they won’t).
That would be wonderful.
So much for hoping HARRIS would sign Garver to DH and be the backup C. I was hoping for lineup improvements. Canha is filler, not the RH power bat they need. Its an improvement on Cabrera’s last year, but not much. Kelly won’t provide much, either. Plus, with Zach waived, there is no longer anyone to light a fire under Baez’ butt. He no longer has to worry about sitting. Are they going to add Offense? At what position now?
If SS Eddys Leonard keeps playing like he did when he got to AAA he is definitely worth a look over Baez, whether his defense pales in comparison to Baez or not. Garver would have been a nice add but I wonder if Greene’s injury and likelihood of him DH’ing a lot this year impacted any potential to sign him.
Leonard all stick no leather last time i checked.
Opposite of Baez. At least he’s young and might learn to play better defense. Baez though?
Saw Leonard play a few times. He hits the ball hard. He played multiple positions. Guys, they are on the hook for a lot of $ for Baez. He still plays elite defense. If he can get back to 75% of what he was, I think we need to take it and be happy. It is what it is, but they are not cutting Baez and eating 98 million dollars. Back to Leonard, he certainly should be on the radar.
Well, as far as an infielder goes, they do have Ryan Kreidler yet. He struggled getting it going after his injury, but he did pop 11 homers in 49 games for Toledo.
Riley Greene is likely going to DH for awhile from the sounds of it, like Bryce Harper did. They are not going to commit to a full time DH beyond that, so I can’t see signing guys like Garver or JD. They love that flexibility. Yes, Garver can catch, but is he very good back there? Zach Short lit a fire under Baez? The Tigers have plenty of Zach Short type utility guys. Kelly is low risk, low cost…good defensively and someone they will try to tap back into the power he had a few years ago. If it doesn’t work out, he will be moved when Dingler is finally ready .
I bet Meadows goes on the restricted list.
Might as well get used to some out of the box and buy low, sell high stuff with Harris. They are going to ‘Moneyball’ style this thing it appears .
Why Carson Kelly? He’s terrible.
My quick look at the Tiger’s 40 man is they have 41 players on it. Austin Meadows has to be at the top of the drop list. Kreidler, Sands, Lipcius and maybe Nick Maton need to be looking over their shoulders as well.
Lipcius is safe. He actually looked good in September, and he’ll likely be on the 26 man roster next April.
Interesting….they replaced Alexander with Montero essentially. Shocked they let Alexander go. Guy is a dog….. can spot start or come out of the pen or be an opener. Most everyone else collapses or cries to mngmt if their role isn’t planned out 30 days in advance.
Surprised on Carson Kelly. I would of thought the tigers were going to do the exact opppisite with him and Alexander but that’s me.
Not surprised on Wingenter, Vasquez’s and Short. Short though could at least backup Javi Baez if needed . Everyone else they have in MIF is not really serviceable in the field.
Mckinistry and Kriedler are both quality gloves at multiple positions including SS. Some of these utility type guys had to go. There will likely be a few more. I like Short, but he didn’t fit their hitting approach either I do not think. He was kind of a free swinger. You better be a high on base guy to play on this team.
McKinstry and Ibanez will be on the team. Canha can play some 3B. I guess without Short they are looking at Kreidler as the backup SS.
Where does Lipcius fit in?
Canha can play corner outfield and a maybe first base. Ibanez will probably get plenty of playing time. McKinstry and Kriedler? I’m not so sure. I do expect Andre Lipcius and Wenceel Perez to get some playing time next year.
Watch for a Rosario signing.
Lipcius fits in Toledo most likely
Vasquez and Wingenter are still under team control however. I, too, was surprised re. Alexander.
Kelly will be expensive to keep around as a backup C, but he is a decent one.
You don’t think Vasquez or Wingenter will opt for minor league free agency?
Just hope they don’t use these same guys at 3B again this yr. Outside of Mckinstry short and baez they were bad really bad defensively in the IF. Same in OF until they called up P Meadows. Everyone they have is bad defensively out there. I guess Greene plays avg def now that they moved him to a corner.
I saw a clip on Twitter from the AFL on the younger Jung kid playing 3B…..that experiment is likely over. Guy can’t throw at all, and what I’ve heard from my minor league prospect guru’s they say colt keith and Malloy are in the same boat defensively. All are kind of positionless type players like K Carpenter. Which is interesting considering this year they’re trying to do interchangeable players that can play multiple spots.
The Tigers have an average defensive team. Admittedly, Malloy, Keith and Jung aren’t likely to ever win any gold gloves but I wouldn’t write them off as horrible just yet. I’m sure they’re all working hard on their defense.
If it wasn’t for Rogers and Javi Baez tigers would’ve probably been dead last in defense. They were considered avg just simply because of them if I had to guess.
As for the current Tigers, Ibanez has very good defense at second base.
Carpenter actually was not horrible in the OF and while the stats don’t show it this year Tork is supposed to be a good defensive 1B (unless that changed?) Rogers is a good defensive C. I think Malloy will be a good defensive DH 😉 After last year, I want to see that guy hit…period. Javt sucks at hitting but his defense is pretty good.
It all makes sense.
too bad tork didn’t pan out at third .. would be funny to bring back candy man