The Tigers announced this evening that they have non-tendered outfielder Austin Meadows and right-hander Spencer Turnbull. Right-handers Brenan Hanifee, Garrett Hill, and Freddy Pacheco were all non-tendered as well. All five players will now hit the open market as free agents.
The decision to non-tender Meadows is hardly a surprise. While the former ninth-overall pick sports a career slash line of .259/.333/.472 over the past six years between his time with the Pirates, Rays, and Tigers, the 28-year-old has only rarely been able to take the field since arriving in Detroit. He played just 36 games in 2022 before being sidelined by vertigo, and in 2023 was placed on the injured list due to anxiety after six games before departing from the team in June.
Given his inability to stay on the field during his Tigers career, it’s hardly a surprise the club decided to non-tender Meadows rather than pay him the $4.3MM MLBTR’s Matt Swartz projected he could earn in his final trip through arbitration this season. That’s an especially reasonable decision given the club’s deep outfield mix that includes the likes of Riley Greene, Mark Canha, Akil Baddoo, Kerry Carpenter, and Austin’s brother Parker Meadows.
That being said, if Meadows is healthy and ready to go for the 2024 season he could prove to be among the most interesting bats available on the open market this offseason. After all, Meadows won’t celebrate his 29th birthday until May and was one of the best hitters in the sport as recently as 2019, when he slashed .291/.364/.558 in 591 trips to the plate for Tampa en route to his first career All Star appearance and a 14th-place finish in AL MVP voting. In a class of free agent hitters that has few surefire, quality bats beyond top of the market stars Shohei Ohtani and Cody Bellinger, Meadows could be an interesting buy-low candidate for clubs with a need in left field or at DH.
Turnbull’s non-tender, on the other hand, is something of a shock. Just last month, president of baseball operations noted that he expected Turnbull to compete for a spot in the club’s starting rotation this spring, seemingly suggesting that the club would tender the right-hander a contract at a projected $2.4MM. Turnbull made just seven starts in the big leagues due to injury this year, struggling to a 7.26 ERA and 5.55 FIP across 31 innings of work. It was his first time on a professional mound since undergoing Tommy John surgery early in the 2021 campaign.
Prior to Turnbull’s health issues, he looked like a budding mid-rotation or better starter with a 3.46 ERA and 3.24 FIP with a 21.4% strikeout rate across 106 2/3 innings (20 starts) between 2020 and 2021. Though he struggled badly both in the majors and at the Triple-A level in 2023, it seemed reasonable to expect Turnbull to be tendered by the Tigers this year, particularly given Harris’s previous comments. Now a free agent, Turnbull figures to be an attractive low-cost depth option for rotation-needy clubs this offseason given the considerable upside he flashed as recently as two years ago.
That being said, it’s worth noting that reports from earlier in the season indicated that the relationship between Turnbull and the Tigers began to fray this year after the Tigers attempted to option the right-hander to Triple-A early in the season, prompting Turnbull to disclose neck discomfort that ultimately resulted in him being placed on the injured list instead. The Tigers ultimately activated Turnbull from the injured list and optioned him to the minors in August, just six days before he would reach five years of MLB service time. The move ultimately delayed Turnbull’s free agency from after the 2024 campaign until after the 2025 campaign. Given the frayed relationship between club and player, it’s more understandable that the sides have decided to part ways.
As for the other three righties non-tendered by Detroit this evening, both Pacheco and Hanifee had already been designated for assignment by the Tigers earlier this week, making the decision to non-tender the pair little more than a formality. Pacheco has not yet appeared in the major leagues in his career and underwent elbow surgery back in June, while Hanifee posted a 5.40 ERA in five innings of work with the Tigers this year. Hill, by contrast, is the most established of the three at the big league level with 76 total innings in the big leagues over the past two seasons. While he pitched decently as a swing option for Detroit in 2022 with a 4.03 ERA in 60 1/3 innings, Hill’s nine appearances out of the bullpen this season were nothing short of disastrous with a 9.19 ERA in 15 2/3 innings of work.
Turnbull could be a nice low stake project for a team in need of SP help.
agreed. 1 full year removed from TJ imagine his numbers can’t help but improve over last year. Royals should take a shot
You get it! He really didn’t have much time to get back to himself. The Royals do sound like a solid destination IMO. I hear the Cards need SP depth also.
He had TJ in August 2021, didn’t see MLB action in 2022, sucked in 2023, even in the minors. He had more than a year and a half to recover. After being demoted to the minors,he told the team he was hurt.
TJ is more than a year recovery. it’s basically a a year and a half and that’s before game action. most guys don’t get back to “norm” (if they do mind you) till 1-2 years of game action. you work the speed, then you work up the control.
Turnbull, could be a steal for someone. After TJ sometimes takes a little longer for some guys. He hurt his neck early last year Then wasn’t happy to be sent to AAA.
Turnbull seems like an ideal fit for the Rays. They need SP depth (especially if they end up trading Glasnow) and this seems like the type of reclamation project they would do well with.
This Turnbull situation played out a lot like that time when the wife of our workaholic friend cheated on him. On one hand, you understand that he was ignoring her emotional and physical needs. On the other, jeesh, that hussy had no right to sleep with their son’s little league coach. And now, we already know that she’s been dieting and exercising and she’s gonna get that gig teaching pilates and yoga downtown. And we’re all gonna see her looking so good and we’re all gonna be like, “can’t believe Carl let her get away.” And we’re all gonna forget that it was her bad behavior that caused the breakup in the first place.
And still, Turnbull’s gonna always be complaining how she gave her best years to someone who never appreciated her. Boo hoo! Good luck in Miami, or wherever!
How’s your sons little league team doing?
As someone who also has struggled with serious anxiety and related issues, I hope Meadows is getting whatever help he needs. Baseball is a nice career, but your health and well-being come first.
exactly!
But Nevin remains? Ponderous.
Not really. He is out of options so if he doesn’t make the 26 man roster out of spring training he’ll be DFA’d. Same for Maton, Faedo, and Wentz. They can be cut loose later if need be for a signing, though we just opened 5 roster spots. Also ready made roster spots if Keith and Malloy make the roster out of spring training.
Yeah, spring is still a long ways off and Harris will be churning that roster. Gotta believe that Donny Sands is an endangered species.
I like Faedo. To me he’s got good stuff and can pitch 5 quality innings consistently or maybe a long reliever option
He’d be a great closer. Bulldog mentality, largely a two-pitch pitcher.
I like Faedo, too. I think he is definitely one of the best 13 pitchers on the roster. If he can just master one more pitch and develop a little more stamina, he could be part of the rotation. With our pitching coaches, that’s entirely possible.
Tigerdoc…Good point on Nevin. I bitched all year about him with his terrible ABs with the Tigers but his AAA stats and ability to get on base were pretty impressive. Maybe he will be a late bloomer…or more likely a AAAA player.
What’s the issue with Turnbull?? Thought he was highly regarded at one point.
He pitched poorly then suddenly had an injury when they tried to send him down. Bad blood between him and the team. It’s a distraction they don’t need.
@MCBB. Agreed. Turnbull burned the bridge he was standing on to keep collecting his paycheck.
It’s so stupid. I don’t think he was a building block for the next contention window, but he is literally the exact type of pitcher a rebuilding team holds on to.
Had enough of Scott Borass
At one point
Things seem to have really soured between Tigers brass and Turnbull.
None of the cuts bother me.
Just like Candelario, HARRIS stumbles again! Turnbull was extremely cheap for a starting pitcher. He gambled $8MM on Boyd coming off injury, and lost. But he won’t gamble a couple mill on one of Avila’s guys. I’m sure the Tigers won’t have any need for starting pitching next season. SMH!
Boyd was one of Avila’s guys too in case you forgot…he was with them during his tenure even if D.D. originally brought him in. Boyd was also a good team mate and well liked by his peers. Turnbull is a distraction and was playing games. The money is better spent elsewhere on someone who actually wants to play for the Tigers. Good riddance.
This isn’t a Harris problem. This is turnbull, or maybe his agent, creating a situation where his removal was more beneficial to the team than keeping him.
Turnbull’s injury/demotion issue was a distraction and a potential negative influence on the team. You don’t need a backend starter grumbling about this stuff when you are trying to build/develop a young team. He’s 31, too old to be acting like that when his performance is the issue.
It’s a business but there’s no loyalty from Tigers front office for sure. He’s probably going to be better off somewhere else than in Detroit anyway
I was hoping they might keep Pacheco around. He is intriguing. Good riddance to Turnbull and best of luck to Meadows (maybe they sign him to a minors deal?)
An article said they may sign Pacheco to a minors deal. I like it.
The Rays should take a flyer on Turnbull. Whether he turns it around or gets injured again no one will bat an eye.
Meadows will be a Yankee. Aging, injury prone, and a lefty bat. Cashman is probably on the phone now.
He’s 28?
All down hill after 19.
Definitely a downward slide, but still had a 115 OPS+ in 2021. Not sure someone with his anxiety issues is a good fit for NY.
Yeah, anxiety problems just disappear when you play in the NY market.
I’d develop crippling anxiety if I had to talk with anyone from the ny post for more than 10 seconds.
Joel Sherman works for the NY Post and he has a strong case for being the baseball reporter in the country.
The Yankees will have to fight the giants for him.
Poor Parker Meadows
Turnbull to the Pirates? Maybe a reunion with Meadows as well?
Either would be worth looking into.
Meadows will be in Lf platoon in Atlanta with Grissom..
Meadows has the Braves on a minor league deal written all over him
The way this Braves off-season is going, it will be Meadows and Kyle Lewis on minor league deals as the LF platoon.
Kyle Lewis to the Braves would make me happy. Meadows I could do without, but I get we are hoarding Georgia natives in this scenario.
I don’t think any of you guys get it. It’s cute to speculate but Meadows isn’t coming back for a while. Something isn’t right with the dude and chances are his playing days are numbered
Agreed. Most people don’t realize he missed the entire season with anxiety issues. That isn’t just going to go away. He might get a minors invite this spring, but beyond that I’d be surprised if he makes it onto anyone’s major league roster. It’s unfortunate, but it’s reality.
Two seasons, Sol.
Kind of surprised by Turnbull being non-tendered. Bad blood and all, his arb number wasn’t expected to be that high, and with him finishing short of 5 years of service time, the Tigers would have had him for 2 more years. At least enough to see if he could pitch well and flip him to another team. The other one that was kind of a surprise was Hill. Again, first time arb eligible he would not have made a lot and had some moments that suggested he could turn into a decent BP piece. The others were expected. Gives the Tigers ample room on the roster to go get some SP help, BP help and maybe even take a shot at a rule 5 pick.
Hill is not even arb eligible.
He could have been DFA’ed. Maybe they didn’t want to expose him to waivers so they could cut a deal with him?
I think with the demotion being challenged and ultimately canceled, it just became a toxic situation for both parties and the Tigers preferred to rid themselves of it.
Yes, cut the starting pitcher who threw the no hitter “…to go get some SP help.” Sure makes sense to me.
When did he throw the no hitter? Was it when he was pitching so well after his return last year? It was 100% the right move. He needed to go. They have lots of pitchers and can find someone who is more of a team player.
@stymie The no-hitter was pre-TJ. He may bounce back and he may not. Even if they chose to tender him a contract, there’s no reality in which they were counting on him to be a part of the 2024 rotation after his 2023 performance. It basically would have been a decision based on loyalty and loyalty works both ways. A better use of that money would be putting it towards an innings-eater type free agent pitcher on a 1-2 year deal.
Turnbull was pitching very poorly on his return from TJ surgery. He was optioned to the minors but then disclosed a neck injury.
Could be that he was pitching hurt and didn’t tell the team, trying to pitch through it. Or could be a way to not get optioned. So he goes on t he IL, earning major league service time.
Then he gets healthy still pitched poorly in the minors and is optioned. This time, just five days shy of his five year service mark, when he could veto an option. So he goes down and has a toenail injury.
He deserved to be optioned, but the dislike between himself and the organization grew.
Tigers are just moving on. Don’t need the drama.
He could still be a good pitcher.
Non-tendering Turnbull is a mistake. If you have the chance, you sign such a proven talent for a few millions. I am disappointed that the Tigers are so very cheap to not invest in his possible rebound.
Gruß,
BSHH
Turnbull’s situation reminds me a bit of Jordan Zimmermann’s, whose neck issues started during his first season in Detroit. He was never a good picture again. Obviously, I have no idea if the injuries are similar, but it’s fair to assume the Tigers know his medical situation better than anyone else. They just gave a backup catcher 3.5 million, so I doubt this was about money. They will probably spend much more on another bounce back candidate. Hard to blame the Tigers here. His performance was awful, but best of luck to him getting back somewhere.
The issue is not knowing how severe the injury was, or whether it was legitimate in the first place.
They aren’t cheap… just stupid. They spent $11 mil on a 35 year old bench player.
Canha is not a bench player.
They spent money on a guy who can get on base for this year, as a cushion. His at bats will go to someone like Malloy next year, if Malloy looks like he can keep up that high on base percentage he had in the minors during his major league ABs this year. Canha is a good hitter which is what they need.
Always thought Turnbull would make a good back end bullpen guy. He was great the first few innings then got rocked. 8th inning set up guy?
Don’t cross Scottie Harris… you will be out of a job. Just ask Eduardo Rodriguez.
How did Scott Harris make Eduardo Rodriguez out of a job?
It was Erods choice to opt out and playing games at the trade deadline didn’t help his cause. As for Turnbull his performance and decisions are why he is gone. That guy is not a team player.
Another classic blunder by the Detroit Tigers
Should they go sign Tim Anderson too? Get another problem child in the clubhouse? He needed to go.
Scottie Harris has put a great team of coaches and cyber analytic experts together and the team’s offense has gone from worst in the league in runs scored to 3rd worst. From second worst OPS to 3rd worst.
I can’t wait to see what they do in 2024. I’m giddy with excitement. Instead of drafting Wyatt Langford as a righty OF bat, Scotty went with Canha. An $11 mil 35 year old bench player.
Brilliant.
Hilarious!
Even a post about pitching ends up with Wyatt Langford coming up. Check back in 3-5 years and we’ll see if your Langford vs Clark comments are right.
Canha had 500+ PA last year, many of them for Milwaukee (a playoff team). That’s not a bench player.
I hope getting Rid of Spencer Turnbull It’s a sign that we are gonna go hard for Yamamoto Or one of the other top free agent pitchers.
I’ll hold off criticizing until I see the finished product in March…..
You really thought that was the thought process? Not draft Langford, I’ll trade for Canha.
Agree this is a blunder if he signs a major league contract with any team. A minor league contract will indicate to me that he had no trade value for Harris to use..
Turnbull has Boras as an agent. Scotty has something up his sleeve. Turnbull has 2 years before FAgency. He’s going to get a 1 yr w/ an option/buyout 2nd year from someone. I expect him to do fine, at least at the bank. I’m not so sure on the mound.
I appreciate Austin Meadow’s situation but marveled how he played very well the last 2 Spring trainings, made the team both times, only to suffer anxiety shortly after the season started and went on the DL for most of that time. If he signs with someone, makes their team and plays all year it will tell us a lot.
Meadows= it will drive him crazy what has happened to his MLB career.
The Tigers should sign ALL of the Japanese and Korean posties for breakfast.
Sign the pariah pitchers.
Sign Gio.
Sign Timmy.
Minor league multi-year recovery contracts with team options for Woodruff and Hudson.
Take on Stantons’ contract for aliens and prospects.
Trade for Langford.
Trade for Anthony.
Trade for Jenkins.
Extend Greene and Tork now.
Marion should remove Christopher, HIRE THE SUPERFIFE, provide a letter authorizing a $300M budget limit and let it fly!
That is the ONLY WAY TO GO!
Sincerely,
Dick
Minor league recovery contract for Reyes as well.
Marion, think about it. The Tigers have an advantage in the Asian market. The Tigers have a secret weapon in the form of one, Miguel Cabrera.
How many execs from the NPB or KBO would line up to have thier pictures taken with Miggie, sh+tfaced, on the side of the road, under the caption of, “Miggie teaches the ‘proper’ way to drink sake”…….?????
They all would! So would the presidents of Sony, Kia and Toyota. Maybe even the emperor himself!
A clear cut victory for Detroit.
Hire the Superfife.
You lost me when you got to the aliens part dude.
Yankee prospect. “The Martian”.
Copy that. Makes sense now. Cheers
Very dumb move by Scott Harris and the Tigers.
They have the lowest payroll in MLB after retiring Cabrera.
Turnbull, when healthy, had the best stuff in the young Padres rotation.
Harris and Tigers penny pinching Turnbull is just a low class move.
It is because Harris and staff did not draft Turnbull or trade for him?!
I can see Turnbull thriving as a starter for another ballclub.
Padres need starters?
He pitched like crap and then played games when they were sending him down. He was coming off TJ, didnt pitch well and wasn’t healthy according to him and his agent. He wasnt one of their top 5 starters even with Erod gone. The Tigers can spend that cash elsewhere and replace his innings by spending some cash on Yamamoto, Montgomery or Gray or just promoting someone from the minors with more upside and less behavior problems. There are some interesting arms available in the Rule V draft who I’d rather see eat innnings than Turnbull (JT Ginn for instance). The Padres can have him.
Meet the New Boss Same as the Old Boss.
Tigers 10 year rebuild continues!
Stop the horse hockey!
Hire the Superfife!
I blame Turnbull for how their relationship soured. Good riddance.
And Meadows…. I’m reserving my judgement until he gets back to playing. If he shows up to some club’s spring training and starts mashing from day 1, then he’s a POS. If he doesn’t make it back due to his mental issues, then it’ll be a sad story and I’ll wish him the very best.
Spencer Turnbull’s attitude toward the Tigers soured last year so its NOT a surprise the Tigers non tendered him.
I’m sure Meadows is on meds. This will slow down his reaction time and probably make him ineffective at the professional level. The anxiety will make it difficult for him to keep up with the hectic professional baseball life, especially in the minors.
I think Meadows is through….so sad…
Turnbull is a legend in his own mind. I mean he dis have one legendary game in Seattle, but the rest is based solely on potential. I get injuries are tough, but the Tigers have shown they will stick by guys through injuries and issues. It seems like he is an entitled type of guy. Maybe he matures through this process and does well somewhere else. I am sure he will get a minor league deal somewhere and a chance to prove himself again, but Hinch is about culture and it sounds like Turnbull is not someone they want in their culture.
I personally watched Turnbull “pitch” twice in the minors last season and you can have him. His squabbles with upper management were all BS that basically were started by his agent Scott Boras. The Tigers did all they could for this guy and then he lies about being injured so he wouldn’t have to be optioned. He is garbage and any of the other clubs can have him thank God!