The Tigers have re-signed right-hander Trey Wingenter to a minor league deal with an invite to major league Spring Training, reports Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. The righty will make a base salary of $1.2MM if he cracks the roster.
Wingenter, 30 in April, has shown big strikeout stuff in his career but also battled injuries, with those storylines carrying into 2023. He signed a minor league deal with the Tigers last winter as well and cracked the club’s Opening Day roster. But after just six appearances, he landed on the injured list due to tendinitis in his throwing shoulder and wasn’t activated until about three months later.
He ultimately tossed 17 innings for the Tigers with a 5.82 earned run average in that small sample. He struck out 28.9% of batters faced while walking just 9.2%, and he also kept 43.2% of balls in play on the ground. A .333 batting average on balls in play and 64.7% strand rate led to some more runs crossing the board, hence his 3.96 FIP and 3.43 SIERA. He was outrighted off the roster in November and elected free agency.
Prior to the 2023 season, Wingenter didn’t pitch in the majors at all from 2020-2022, due to Tommy John surgery and a couple of of back surgeries. Prior to that, he pitched for the Padres, striking out roughly a third of batters faced in 2018 and 2019.
He’ll now returns to the Tigers and provide them with some non-roster depth. If he’s healthy and in good form, he could earn himself a roster spot, just as he did in 2023. If he does, he still has an option remaining and just over four years of service time. If he’s on the roster at the end of next season, the Tigers will have the ability to retain him via arbitration for 2025.
“Cracks” the roster? Haha Is that how we say it these days?
So is “he’ll now returns,” apparently.
There’s nothing wrong with “…if he cracks the roster.”
This guy has some serious upside
lol
At 6’7″, he has reached his upside!
I know it was 7000 years ago, but pre TJS? Nasty. Just nasty.
I’m just making a joke about his height. He didn’t look very good last year, but maybe being one more year removed from TJ he might be better this year.
Being in the minors on stand by, we all hope he can figure it out. Just in case.
I know you’ve met him a couple of times. What is your take on his character?
Good signing. If he can stay on the field he could be a solid bullpen addition.
What are your thoughts on some of the decisions he’s made in his personal life over the past 18 months? Could lead to interesting outcomes.
What are you referring to?
Dude, what are you talking about?
Just as there are no bad one year contracts, there are no bad MiLB signings either.
I remember this cat from his day as a San Diego Friarman. Real big guy and intimidating. Tigers did well, here.
Waste of money. I watched him Last year, hurt or can’t throw strikes.
Low risk, potential for positive reward.
It’s a minor league contract on a bullpen piece returning from injury. A calculated risk for the pitcher fixers to see if they can get back to pre TJ form…..not every move made has to be a major move to build a competitive organization…
Meanwhile, they should have hired the Superfife.
Sad.
Mana,Cleav, And, Merr, Im…..lots of players the Tigers can hire.
Where are the spots on the 40? Who has trade value?
I see nothing wrong with a fat roster.