Detroit Tigers: Andrew Romine claimed off waivers by Seattle Mariners

Detroit Tigers fans won’t see utility ace Andrew Romine return to the team next season. The Tigers announced in a tweet Thursday that Romine has been claimed by the Seattle Mariners.

Detroit Tigers front office members have started to reshape the roster ahead of next season.

With the World Series now done and dusted, the offseason has officially begun.

Considering the team is in the midst of a rebuild, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Tigers part with a number of veterans this winter.

As it happens, that process has already started.

Detroit announced in a tweet on the team’s official Twitter account on Thursday morning that utility man Andrew Romine is heading to the Seattle Mariners via waivers.

The Tigers tweeted:

“Andrew Romine has been claimed off waivers by the Mariners. The club has also declined the option on Anibal Sanchez, making him a free agent.”

Acquired by the Tigers in 2014 in a trade for pitcher Jose Alvarez, Romine routinely filled in around the diamond during his four seasons in Detroit.

That included playing all nine positions in the same game against the Twins towards the end of the 2017 season.

Tigers tenure

All told, Romine turned in a cumulative 1.1 fWAR in a Tigers uniform.

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Never a masher at the plate, the utility man did turn in a career year in 2017.

The veteran set career highs in ISO, extra-base hits, doubles, home runs, RBI, walks, hits and runs scored.

He also registered a .233 batting average, a .289 on-base percentage, a .336 slugging percentage and a .625 OPS in 348 plate appearances for Detroit last season.

The ex-Angel also posted a 65 wRC+, a -1.1 BsR, a .274 wOBA, a 6.3 walk percentage and a 19.3 strikeout percentage.

Originally an infielder, Romine also say significant time playing on the outfield grass at Comerica Park.

In 521 career defensive innings in the outfield, the 31-year-old owns a 10.7 UZR/150, a +3 DRS and a 4.8 ARM.

He’ll provide the Mariners with some infield and outfield depth behind the likes of Robinson Cano, Jean Segura, Kyle Seager and Mitch Haniger.

Money

According to Spotrac, Romine made $1.3 million last season. Meanwhile, the folks over at MLBTradeRumors.com project that the utility ace will make $1.9 million via arbitration this offseason.

Next: Tigers FA primer: Why Luke Gregerson could be a valuable late-inning addition

The veteran’s departure will save the Tigers some money as they continue to pare down the club’s payroll.