While the Detroit Tigers are surging toward the best record in baseball, some players that used to call Detroit home have had some difficult decisions to make this season. Players that are on the roster bubble probably wish they were on a team like the Tigers, who own a double-digit lead in the American League Central Division and are heading toward their second straight postseason berth. But other players just want an opportunity to stick in the majors and be a contributor to their teams.
A former Tigers infielder probably thought he was heading to greener grass after signing a minor league contract last winter. But after a brief stay in the majors, he decided to quit his new team six days after being designated for assignment.
Former Tigers Infielder Sergio Alcántara Elects Free Agency After Being DFA’d by Giants
According to MLB’s transaction log, Sergio Alcántara has elected free agency after being designated for assignment by the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday. The move, which was made official on Friday evening, could send Alcántara to his fifth organization in the past three seasons and is part of a major league career that began in Detroit.
Alcantára initially signed as an international free agent with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2012 but made his way to the Tigers by way of the J.D. Martinez trade in 2017. He made his major league debut with Detroit in 2020 when he went 3-for-21 at the plate with a triple, a home run, and an RBI over 10 games, but was designated for assignment the following winter and was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs.
The 29-year-old spent the next three seasons with the Cubs, Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres, and Pittsburgh Pirates organizations, appearing in 182 games. But he hit just .212/.284/.341 with 11 home runs and 46 RBI in 479 plate appearances. He didn’t appear in a major league game until he was recalled by the Giants on July 3, but went hitless in four at-bats before he was designated for assignment on July 5 and outrighted to Triple-A Sacramento on July 8.
It’s hard to say where Alcántara could end up, although Arizona is a good bet considering he’s had five separate stints with the Diamondbacks organization. He also has positional versatility, playing shortstop, second base, and third base, but he struggled at the plate, hitting .206/.319/.252 with no homers and 14 RBI in the Pacific Coast League.
Regardless, Alcántara believes there’s a better opportunity somewhere else, and it’s set to be another stop on a journeyman career.