For some players, the off-season is filled with excitement and anticipation of a new lucrative contract with a new ball club. For others, it’s not such a joyous occasion. With the MLB hot stove heating up, more players are let go. On Friday night, Detroit made a flurry of moves. They have moved on from a few familiar faces, including a former MLB all-star and the most recent pitcher to throw a no-hitter for the organization.
Austin Meadows’ career as a tiger has ended very, unfortunately. Anxiety issues, which affect over 301 million people according to the World Health Organization, sidelined Meadows for the season after playing in only a couple of games. Now, the Tigers have non-tendered his contract. Meadows was a former all-star who gave Tigers fans high hopes after the trade to acquire him just before the start of the 2022 season.
RHP Spencer Turnbull was once a promising prospect in the Detroit Tigers organization. It looked like he was on the right track towards having a productive career. In May of 2021, Spencer Turnbull threw a no-hitter on the road in Seattle. Shortly after, he suffered an injury that would derail his career, at least up to this point. He would undergo Tommy John surgery and did not return until the start of the 2023 season. Turnbull struggled in his return to start the season as he was away from the mound for quite some time. He was optioned to Toldeo, and with him continuing to struggle and more injuries popping up, he never made it back. The Tigers have non-tendered his contract, making him a free agent.
Garrett Hill appeared on the Tigers’ mound as a starting pitcher and out of the bullpen from 2022 to 23. He had some good outings and some terrible outings. Overall, it was his inconsistency that made the Tigers move on. He is now a free agent.
Brenan Hanifee made three appearances for the Tigers toward the end of the season. His Tigers career will be over as he will become a free agent.
25-year-old prospect Freddy Pacheco has made it as far as Triple-A but has yet to make his MLB debut. He will look to do that with a new team as he has become a free agent.
In other more positive news, the Tigers tendered the contracts of Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize, Jake Rodgers, and Akil Baddoo.
Roster Moves by the Numbers
OF Austin Meadows
Veteran outfielder Austin Meadows’s career with the Tigers may have been short-lived, but he had a solid career with the Tampa Bay Rays. He was an all-star 2019 when he slashed .291/.364/.558 with 33 home runs, 69 extra-base hits, and 89 RBIs. In his 42 games with the Tigers, Meadows slashed .248/.333/.322 with zero home runs, nine extra-base hits, and 13 RBIs.
RHP Spencer Turnbull
In five years playing for the Tigers, Turnbull had a career record of 12-29, a 4.55 ERA, 302.1 innings pitched, 280 strikeouts, 119 walks, 3.82 FIP, and 1.359 WHIP.
RHP Garrett Hill
Garrett Hill had a 3-3 record for the Tigers in his two seasons. He had a 5.09 ERA, 76 innings pitched, 54 strikeouts, 43 walks, 5.67 FIP, and 1.153 WHIP.
RHP Brenan Hanifee
As mentioned earlier, Hanifee appeared in just a few games at the end of the 2023 season. He pitched in three games, playing five innings. He had a 5.40 ERA, three strikeouts, no walks allowed, 4.66 FIP, and a 1.600 WHIP.
RHP Freddy Pacheco
After four seasons in the minors, Pacheco had a 9-13 record, a 3.16 ERA, 205 innings pitched, 325 strikeouts, 131 walks, and 1.220 WHIP.
