LAKELAND, Fla. – The Detroit Tigers made a move Saturday to clarify their outfield picture, granting veteran Austin Slater his unconditional release after he exercised a release clause in his contract. The decision, while not unexpected, marks the end of a brief stint with the organization for the nine-year Major League player.
Slater, 33, signed a Minor League contract with the Tigers on February 12th, hoping to compete for a roster spot. Yet, he found himself in a crowded outfield mix, particularly with right-handed hitters, and ultimately was positioned behind Jahmai Jones and Matt Vierling in the team’s plans. The move allows Slater to explore opportunities with other clubs as spring training winds down. This Minor League contract included the opt-out clause that he ultimately utilized.
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch acknowledged Slater’s quality as a player, stating, “He’s a good player. It’s easy to see why teams have always really liked him. He brings experience, he brings skill, he’s a good defender, he’s a good baserunner, he’s a very good hitter. For a role that he has generally played over the last few years, he’s very adaptable.” Hinch’s comments underscore the difficult decisions teams face when evaluating players during spring training, particularly those vying for limited roster spots.
A Crowded Outfield and the Opt-Out Clause
Slater’s release was triggered by a clause in his contract that allowed him to grow a free agent if he wasn’t on the Tigers’ Major League roster by March 21st, five days before Opening Day. He had initially indicated he didn’t desire to focus on the clause until the deadline, but the competitive landscape made his situation clear. Slater finished spring training batting .267 (8-for-30) with three doubles, a home run, and four RBIs, a respectable showing, but not enough to secure a spot given the performance of others.
The key factor in the decision appears to be the emergence of Jones and Vierling. Jones, who is out of Minor League options – meaning the Tigers couldn’t send him to the minors without risking losing him – recently had a strong showing representing Korea in the World Baseball Classic. His ability to hit left-handed pitching, demonstrated by a .970 OPS against lefties last season with Detroit, solidified his role as a valuable asset. Vierling, meanwhile, has been a standout performer throughout spring training, batting .295 (13-for-44) with four doubles, a triple, two home runs, and nine RBIs in 15 games. His versatility, with the ability to play all three outfield positions as well as third and first base, further enhanced his value to Hinch’s lineup plans.
Jones’ Role and Vierling’s Versatility
The Tigers’ commitment to Jones is significant. Being out of options meant Detroit would have likely lost him if they had chosen to release him. Hinch clearly values Jones’s ability to impact games against left-handed pitchers, a specific require the Tigers addressed last season. Jones’s performance in the World Baseball Classic further validated that role.
Vierling’s emergence as a potential everyday player is equally important. His ability to contribute offensively and defensively at multiple positions provides Hinch with valuable flexibility in constructing his lineups. This versatility is a key component of the manager’s strategic approach, allowing him to optimize matchups and maximize his team’s potential. Hinch noted that the Tigers have “a couple of guys who fit in that same category” as Slater, suggesting they have depth in players who can fill similar roles.
Rogers Progressing, Catching Situation Remains Fluid
Beyond the outfield, the Tigers received encouraging news regarding catcher Jake Rogers. Rogers, who sustained a concussion during batting practice, took a significant step in his recovery on Saturday. He participated in pregame hitting function, running drills, and even caught a bullpen session. Hinch described this as “the next step for him, which is encouraging.”
Rogers will travel with the team to Arizona for the final two games of spring training against the Colorado Rockies. However, his status for Opening Day remains uncertain as he continues to work his way through the concussion protocol. The Tigers are preparing for all scenarios, and are bringing projected Triple-A catchers Tomás Nido and Eduardo Valencia with them to Arizona as potential replacements if Rogers is unable to clear the protocol in time. The catching situation will be closely monitored in the coming days as the Tigers finalize their roster.
The Tigers will continue to evaluate their remaining players in Arizona as they prepare for the start of the regular season. The release of Austin Slater, while difficult, underscores the competitive nature of baseball and the difficult decisions teams must make as they build their rosters. The team’s focus now shifts to finalizing those decisions and preparing for the challenges ahead.
Stay tuned to time.news for continued coverage of the Detroit Tigers as they head into the 2024 season. We’ll have updates on the final roster decisions, Rogers’ recovery, and all the latest news from spring training.
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