While the Detroit Tigers continue to end an incredible collapse, one former player has found new life in the final week of the season. Former Tiger Derek Hill was claimed off waivers from the Miami Marlins, joining the Chicago White Sox. It is a great opportunity for the former Detroit outfielder who was unable to cement his spot even with an NL bottom-feeder.
The White Sox added Hill based on an injury to Mike Tauchman. For Hill, it is a chance to attempt to end the season on a high note and breathe life back into his career.
Looking at Detroit's current roster, there is no regret over parting ways with Hill, even amid the current slide. There simply wasn't enough offense consistently with a career OBP. of .276, evidencing this fact. Hill's last year with the Tigers was back in 2022, when the light-hitting outfielder managed only a .229 average across 92 plate appearances. All the evidence you need to understand why the Tigers turned the page and point out that it remains the correct decision.
Former Tigers Outfielder Derek Hill Earns Surprise Opportunity After Latest Demotion
Still, it is easy to pull for the former Tiger to have a great final weekend of the season. Detroit fans will be paying little attention, however, as they are far too focused on the Tigers' recent implosion and the need to finish hot against Cleveland and Boston in the season's final games. No question, Hill isn't anywhere close to on the minds of an understandably frustrated fan base.
For much of the season, Detroit coasted, with it looking to be impossible for the franchise to miss the playoffs or fall out of divisional control. Something that an 8-game losing streak has quickly changed, forcing the Tigers into a heated race in the final days of the season. Explaining why the White Sox's claim on Hill won't garner many headlines in Detroit.
Looking at Hill's career, there have been a handful of moments when it seemed there was a future either as a depth option or at the bottom of a lineup. Chicago has been in a perpetual rebuild and won't need to see much from the outfielder to sign up for another season. The former Tiger simply needs to close 2025 with one great final weekend to have a chance to return and continue a career that, much like Detroit, appears to be circling the drain.