Breaking: Marlins Sign Free Agent OF Three Days After His Release From Tigers

Three days after the Detroit Tigers officially released outfielder Austin Slater, he has found a new home, signing a major league deal with the Miami Marlins.

Marlins are in agreement with FA OF Austin Slater - ML deal. Great little pickup late to fill the void with the OF injuries. Strong career numbers vs LHP. Opted out of Tigers deal last week.
— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) March 24, 2026

It's a one-year major league deal worth $1 million plus performance bonuses.

This news comes just a couple of days after the Fish learned that they will be without outfielder Kyle Stowers for the next month as he battles through a grade 1 hamstring strain.

The nine-year veteran, Slater, had a decent spring with Detroit, with three doubles and a homer for an .856 OPS over 15 games.

Slater became free agent on the weekend, signs with Marlins on Tuesday

The Tigers signed him back in February, but the 33-year-old outfielder was told on Saturday that he wouldn't make the 2026 Opening Day roster. With that, he triggered an automatic opt-out clause in his minor-league contract, which forced the Tigers to either add him to the 40-man, or let him go. They granted him his unconditional release. Slater's newfound free agency lasted less than 72 hours.

Tigers manager AJ Hinch praised Slater after the team was forced to cut him.

"He's a good player," manager A.J. Hinch said before Saturday's game in spring training. "It's very easy to see why teams have always really liked him. He brings experience. He brings skill. He's a good defender. He's a good baserunner. He's a very good hitter. For a role that he has generally played over the last few years, he's very adaptable."

The Marlins will get those benefits now. They're set to go with a very young outfielder of rookie Owen Caisie, second-year man Jakob Marsee in center, and Griffin Conine, who has all of 54 big league games to his credit.

Slater can play any of the three outfield positions.

This will be his 6th team in the last two years. He has a career .248 batting mark with a .720 OPS. The right-handed hitter has a career .787 OPS against southpaws. He spent 14 games last season with the New York Yankees after starting the year with the White Sox.