Detroit Tigers News: 2 players signed to minor-league deals, Teoscar Hernandez update

Good news! The Detroit Tigers are finally starting to make some moves this offseason! Less good news? Unfortunately, those moves are still only at at the minor league level.

Per a report from Aram Leighton of Just Baseball, the Tigers made a move to address their depth at catcher over the weekend, inking journeyman backstop Brian Serven to a minor-league deal that includes an invite to big league Spring Training.

Serven, a former fifth-round pick by the Colorado Rockies in 2016, spent the majority of last season on the Toronto Blue Jays' 40-man roster. While Jake Rogers will open the 2025 season as the TIgers' starting catcher, Serven may serve as a contingency plan for the backup role. That role was held by Dillon Dingler after he debuted last season, but the former second-round pick still has minor league options remaining and could benefit from more regular playing time in Triple-A Toledo if the Tigers want to go with the more experienced, veteran backup in Serven.

According to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers have also signed right-handed reliever Ryan Miller to a minor-league contract. The 28-year-old, who made his MLB debut against the Tigers at Comerica Park in August, posted a 4.15 ERA with eight walks (13.8% walk rate) and 11 strikeouts (19% strikeout rate) across 13 innings in 13 relief appearances for the Los Angeles Angels last season. For now, Miller has been assigned to Triple-A Toledo.

Potential Tigers target Teoscar Hernández reveals contract demands in free agency

If the Tigers do decide to actually make an impact signing at the big league level (Maybe? Please?), slugging outfielder Teoscar Hernández is still available. Even after Juan Soto came off the board, the Los Angeles Dodgers – a presumed favorite to re-sign Hernández – are dragging their feet in negotiations, which creates an opportunity for other interested parties to swoop in.

Insider Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported earlier this week that Hernández is seeking a three-year contract in the range of $22-24 million per year. That is both unsurprising and extremely reasonable for the outfielder, who is coming off a career season with the World Series champion Dodgers, so the fact that they still haven't re-signed him – especially considering that they were willing to shell out $600 million for Soto – is rather shocking and potentially advantageous for the Tigers.

Feinsand listed the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays as teams showing the most interest in Hernández. But as long as the power-hitting outfielder remains unsigned, the Tigers should absolutely be kicking the tires on him.

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