The MLB trade deadline is quickly approaching at the end of this month. Over the next few weeks, we’ll see multiple teams declare themselves as either sellers or buyers, depending on how things shake out.
The Detroit Tigers will be looking to buy as they want to put themselves in a position to win the AL pennant this fall. Detroit hopes to add another bullpen piece and possibly a veteran third baseman based on the latest rumors.
However, before the Tigers dive heavy into trade talks, they’ve made a couple of changes to their minor league roster, which include cutting ties with a veteran outfielder.
Detroit Sends Struggling Outfielder Manuel Margot Packing
According to MiLB.com’s transactions page, the Tigers surprisingly released 10-year vet Manuel Margot from Triple-A Toledo.
Per the transactions report, the Tigers have released Manuel Margot, and signed left-handed pitcher Devin Smeltzer. Smeltzer last pitched in the big leagues for the Marlins in 2023. Was pitching in the Mexican League this year. pic.twitter.com/xIv8aLJgzz
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) July 8, 2025
The 30-year-old outfielder joined Detroit on a minor league deal on Mar. 24 after Margot did not make the Milwaukee Brewers’ Opening Day roster. Margot appeared in six games with Detroit, where he hit .316 with three RBI.
However, the veteran outfielder was hampered by left knee soreness, which placed him on the 10-day injured list on April 8.
Margot returned three weeks later and was sent on a rehab assignment to Triple-A. Detroit then activated the veteran outfielder from the 10-day IL on May 7, but immediately outrighted him to the minors.
In 36 games with the Mud Hens, Margot slashed a pedestrian .211/.299/.266 with a home run and 16 RBI. The last few years haven’t been easy for the veteran outfielder, who suffered a severe patellar tendon strain in his right knee in 2022, which has completely changed him as a player.
In 2022 with the Tampa Bay Rays, Margot hit .274 at the plate with four home runs and 47 RBI. He followed that up by slugging .264 with four home runs and 38 RBI in 2023 (99 games). But his batting average fell off last year with the Minnesota Twins (.238) and now in the minors with the Tigers.
With the trade deadline coming up, it will be interesting to see if the veteran outfielder can find a new opportunity to rebuild his value after struggling in Toledo.