Detroit Tigers Sign 9-Year Veteran Outfielder

February 11, 2026 , , , , ,
New York Yankees outfielder Austin Slater reacts during 2025 game.

The Detroit Tigers added another veteran piece to their spring competition, agreeing to a minor-league contract with outfielder Austin Slater that includes a non-roster invite to camp. 

The deal is a $2 million base if Slater makes the majors, with up to $500K in incentives, giving Detroit a low-risk way to add an experienced right-handed bat to a roster that has leaned heavily into matchups under A.J. Hinch. 

Slater, now 33, is coming off a 2025 season split between the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees, where he hit .216/.270/.372 over 65 games, but still did his trademark damage against left-handed pitching.

Why Detroit Targeted Slater’s Specific Skill

Slater has historically been much better versus southpaws, carrying a career OPS around .787 against lefties compared to .640 against righties, and his career split line vs left-handed pitching is .267/.357/.430 in more than 1,000 plate appearances. 

Detroit lived in platoon land last season, frequently stacking the lineup with the advantage, so a right-handed corner outfielder who can start against lefties and handle all three spots in a pinch makes sense as depth that won’t block anyone long-term. 

What Slater’s Role Could Look Like in Camp

Slater isn’t arriving as a guaranteed roster piece, and the Tigers’ current outfield picture suggests he’ll be battling for a bench or depth role, especially if Detroit wants more right-handed balance around lefty-leaning regulars. 

That’s where his track record helps, because over 699 career games he’s a lifetime .248/.336/.384 hitter with 45 home runs, and even during last year’s down season, all five of his homers came against left-handed pitching. 

If the spring goes well, he could push for a job as a short-side platoon option or fourth outfielder, and if not, he’s the type of veteran Triple-A stash teams love to have ready. 

The Contract Details That Make This Easy to Manage

Because Slater has six-plus years of service time, his minor-league deal comes with standard automatic opt-out dates, giving him chances to force a decision if another opportunity opens.

For Detroit, that’s still comfortable because it keeps the commitment light while they evaluate health and performance in March, and it keeps their flexibility if younger options win jobs. For Slater, it’s a clean path to prove he can still be a useful platoon weapon and land a clearer role somewhere if the Tigers’ roster math gets messy.

Photo Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

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