The Tigers are in agreement with outfielder Austin Slater on a minor league contract that includes an invite to MLB Spring Training. The Ballengee Group client would reportedly earn a $2MM base salary if he makes the team and could collect another $500K in performance bonuses.
Slater is a right-handed bat who’ll compete for a fourth outfield role. The 33-year-old is coming off a rough season in which he hit .216/.270/.372 over 65 games between the White Sox and Yankees. The numbers were probably weighed down by injury, as he suffered an early-season meniscus tear in his right knee and missed a month after the trade deadline because of a left hamstring strain.
For most of his career, Slater has been a solid complementary piece who does his best work as a short-side platoon bat. He had four straight seasons of above-average offense on a rate basis as a member of the Giants between 2020-23. That’s in large part because San Francisco was aggressive in playing matchups and got Slater so many looks versus lefty pitching. He’s a career .267/.357/.430 hitter in more than 1000 plate appearances against southpaws. His .227/.311/.329 slash in 836 trips to the dish without the platoon advantage is a lot less imposing.
Detroit is also one of the more platoon-heavy teams in MLB under A.J. Hinch. The top of their outfield/designated hitter mix skews left-handed. Kerry Carpenter will get the majority of the DH work with some time in right field. Riley Greene is the left fielder, while Parker Meadows projects as the primary center fielder.
Slater is no more than an emergency option in center but should be a capable defender in the corners if called upon. Jahmai Jones, Matt Vierling and the switch-hitting Wenceel Pérez — who has been better from the right side of the plate — are all platoon possibilities off the bench. Vierling was banged up for most of last season, while Pérez had a terrible September that marked a sour finish to what had been shaping up as a potential breakout.
As a player with six years of service time who finished last season on New York’s major league roster, Slater hit the market as an Article XX(b) free agent. That means this deal comes with a trio of automatic opt-out dates under the collective bargaining agreement. He can trigger an out clause on any of March 21, May 1, or June 1. If he does, the Tigers would have two days to either promote him or grant him his release.
Jon Heyman of The New York Post first reported the Tigers had an agreement with Slater. Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reported it was an NRI. Robert Murray of FanSided had the financials.
Just so glad the Yankees passed on him.
Thankfully. I couldn’t understand why there was even interest.
They want to roll out the same exact team from last year, of course they’d be interested
They refrained from the worst parts…
He’ll be minor league depth. The Tigers don’t need him and don’t have the 40-man roster space.
Tigers making those 85 win moves they’re accustomed to
Detroit’s only an hour north of Toledo. He can come up on an off day and see the parent club.
hmm explain how to fill out a triple A roster without signing minor league deals…?
They’ve won playoff series in back-to-back season. Cry more.
Yeah 85 win moves like signing Framber Valdez. Give your head a shake.
Yawn !
Don’t like it, preppy?
How’s it feel to be the one Yankee on offense they didn’t bring back?
A MLB team needs 40+ guys who can play in the majors. You only have 26 roster spots. Between arms and bats, you need at least a dozen guys at AAA who can come up and serve, if only for a few games, at a stretch.
I think that’s the first bat of the offseason for the Tigers
The Yankee streak of perfect returns has ended.
Ended at Williams…?
For a starting pitcher of Verlander’s age (and pedigree), to have pitched so well in last season’s 2nd half – as opposed to the other way around – is noteworthy.
If he can contribute to the Tigers 2026 campaign at anything close to the level he performed during 2025’s final months, Tigers fans will have more than just nostalgia to cheer about when he takes the mound.