For many major league baseball players, if they can’t find a good opportunity in the big leagues or the minors, they take their talents internationally.
Many former MLB players go over to Japan to play in the NPB or South Korea to play in the KBO. For those players who take the opportunity, they get a lucrative contract and sometimes re-ignite their pro careers.
Former Detroit Tigers utilityman Tyler Nevin took this route this offseason, signing with the Seibu Lions of the Nippon Professional Baseball in January. Nevin hasn’t had much luck in the major leagues, hitting a mediocre .204 with 12 home runs and 49 RBI across four seasons.
However, Nevin has turned his pro career around with Seibu this season, which has led to the team announcing that they’ve signed the former Tiger to a two-year contract extension in 2026.
#ネビン 選手からファンの皆さんへ… https://t.co/qNRLGh4Lb3
— 埼玉西武ライオンズ (@lions_official) June 22, 2025
In a statement released by the club, Nevin expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play in Japan and is looking forward to the future. The following quote was translated through Google Translate (h/t MLB Trade Rumors).
“I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to my teammates, staff, and fans who have trusted me and supported me since the day I arrived in Japan,” he said. “I will strive to make the rest of the season even better and focus on the game in front of me. I can’t wait for the next two years. Awesome!”
This season with the Lions, the ex-Tiger is slashing .269/.330/.379 with five home runs and 32 RBI in 68 games. Nevin has also racked up 18 doubles while sporting an OPS of .709.
The veteran utilityman last played with the Athletics in 2024, where he hit .204 with seven home runs and 20 RBI across 87 games. He also spent some time with their Triple-A affiliate.
Before landing with the A’s, Nevin was with the Baltimore Orioles, who designated him for assignment in Mar. 2024. Tigers fans vaguely remember Nevin’s time with the club in 2023, which included multiple stints between the majors and minors.
Nevin hit a pedestrian .200 with two home runs and 10 RBI in 41 games with Detroit. But he had much better success at Triple-A, slugging .326 with 15 home runs and 58 RBI across 87 games.
Nonetheless, even though things haven’t gone smoothly for Nevin in the majors, it's good that he’s finding success playing in Japan.