Detroit Tigers: Roster Trimming Brings Changes To 40-Man Roster
By Tyler Kotila
As the 2019-20 Offseason inches closer, the Detroit Tigers have made some transactions to get the team prepared for free agency, the Rule-5 draft, and the rest of the offseason period.
The Detroit Tigers are obviously not heading into the offseason and free agency with the intention of signing Gerrit Cole or Anthony Rendon. Still, they will need to bring in some rentals. Before free agency, they have decided to trim down the roster, creating more space on the Tigers 40-man roster to open up spots for players who will need to be protected from the Rule-5 draft.
In news earlier this week, the Tigers outrighted Nick Ramirez, Zac Reninger, Eduardo Jimenez, and Dustin Peterson. These players were assigned to the Tigers Triple-A affiliate in Toledo and will now be able to elect free agency five days after the World Series concludes.
The most shocking of this group was the left-handed pitcher, Ramirez, who was one of the Tigers’ more “reliable” arms in 2019. Ramirez is a converted infielder who was tested in multiple roles this season, so seeing him get outright to Triple-A Toledo was a little shocking after he produced some of the best reliever stats on the team in 2019.
More from Detroit Jock City
- Tigers Sign Manager A.J. Hinch to Long-Term Extension
- Lions vs. Bears Week 14 Opening Odds Disrespect Detroit
- Former Tigers Celebrate Jim Leyland Hall of Fame Call
- This Pistons Team Could be the Worst in Detroit Sports History
- 4 Free Agents Tigers Should Sign During Winter Meetings
On top of these four players being outrighted, there were four players who refused the assignment and declared to become free agents. John Hicks, Victor Alcantara, Daniel Stumpf, and Blaine Hardy all have elected to become free agents and explore better opportunities. Perhaps, two of the more surprising out of this group were Hardy and Hicks, who both chose to become free agents.
Hardy has been with the Detroit Tigers for parts six years in the big leagues, so his departure is a little strange for someone whose 2019 stats were not impressive. With the 4.47 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 2019, he could have gone down to the Mud Hens and worked on things knowing he would most likely see the big leagues in 2020.
Hicks started out the 2019 season on a tear before reverting back to a .210/.379/.240 slash line with thirteen home runs and thirty-five RBI for the Detroit Tigers. Strangely, someone who was given the opportunity to play behind the plate, at first base, and strictly DH for the Tigers is going to elect free agency.
These corresponding moves mean that the Tigers are freeing up room on their 40-man roster to protect players from the Rule-5 Draft. Here are the players who need to be added to the 40-man roster to avoid being selected in the Rule-5 Draft…
- Daz Cameron (OF)
- Beau Burrows (SP)
- Kyle Funkhouser (SP)
- Anthony Castro (SP)
- Jake Robson (OF)
- Derek Hill (OF)
- Danny Woodrow (OF)
- Zac Houston (SP)
- Jose Azocar (OF)
By outrighting these players, the Detroit Tigers are trying to free up some space for some of these players.
Next. Grading The 2019 Players. dark
In reality, not all of these players are going to be able to be protected, the Tigers could very well lose a prospect in the Rule-5 draft, but the organization wants to ensure it protects players like Cameron and Burrows for sure.