The Detroit Tigers have been busy this offseason, and the latest move adds another layer to a rotation and roster that’s already been making waves. After locking in Tarik Skubal with a $32 million arbitration win, landing Framber Valdez on a $113 million deal, and bringing back Justin Verlander for $13 million, Detroit is now turning its attention to the other side of the diamond - specifically, outfield depth.
According to Jon Heyman, the Tigers have agreed to terms with veteran outfielder Austin Slater, who had been in talks with the New York Yankees before ultimately choosing Detroit. It’s not a blockbuster signing, but it’s a calculated move that gives the Tigers another piece as they continue to build a roster with postseason aspirations.
Slater, 33, comes to Detroit with nine years of big-league experience under his belt. He spent the tail end of last season with the Yankees, appearing in just 14 games and struggling at the plate with a .120 batting average and a .240 OPS. Those numbers aren’t going to turn heads, but they also don’t tell the full story of a player who’s carved out a respectable career as a reliable depth option.
Across 699 career games, Slater owns a .248 batting average and a .720 OPS, with 405 hits, 45 home runs, and a career 5.0 bWAR. He’s never been a star, but he’s been a steady presence - someone who can fill in capably when called upon, especially in corner outfield spots. Defensively, he’s serviceable, and that’s exactly what the Tigers are looking for here: insurance.
Slater joins a group that includes Jahmai Jones, Matt Vierling, and Javier Báez - the latter of whom has seen some time in the outfield but is better known for his infield work. This isn’t a signing that’s meant to shake up the starting lineup.
It’s a depth play, plain and simple. Slater’s path to the Opening Day roster isn’t guaranteed, and he’ll need to earn his spot during Spring Training.
But even if he starts the year in Triple-A or as a reserve, he gives Detroit a veteran option should injuries or slumps hit the outfield corps.
For a Tigers team that’s looking to take full control of the AL Central, these are the kinds of under-the-radar moves that can quietly pay off over the course of a long season. Slater isn’t here to be a game-changer - he’s here to be ready. And in a sport where depth often separates contenders from pretenders, that kind of addition matters more than it might seem on the surface.
Bottom line: Austin Slater isn’t the headline act in Detroit’s offseason, but he’s another steady hand in a dugout that’s starting to feel a lot more confident heading into 2026.