Former Yankee could be solving Tigers' problems after injuries at spring training

Jahmai Jones was one of three 2024 Yankees the Tigers picked up this offseason but is, by far, the most under-the-radar. Gleyber Torres is guaranteed a spot at second base this season and Tommy Kahnle is a nice high-leverage option for the bullpen, but Jones joined the Tigers on a minor league deal after he elected free agency following a year in the Bronx.

He played in 33 games for New York in 2024 after cracking the Opening Day roster as a bench player. He picked up most of his appearances at the outfield corners in June and July, while Giancarlo Stanton was on the IL, but he was sent back to Triple-A upon Stanton's return. He was far from an ideal replacement for Stanton during that time, batting .238 with a .685 OPS.

However, Jones has been a standout in Tigers spring training so far. He's played in nine games and has two doubles, two homers, eight RBI, and and four walks to show for it. On Wednesday, he picked up a double and then a mammoth, 430-foot grand slam in an absolute blowout against the Phillies.

Jahmai Jones could be the Tigers' center field solution after Parker Meadows, Matt Vierling injuries

The Tigers don't have a clear center fielder for Opening Day as of now. Matt Vierling will start the season on the IL, and Parker Meadows seems likely to do the same with a nebulous nerve injury. Akil Baddoo, who the Tigers definitely would've defaulted to, is also hurt and won't be ready by Opening Day. They could move Riley Greene and/or Wenceel Pérez to center, but both are better in the corners.

Jones doesn't have experience in center field at the major league level, but it's his second most-played position in the minors, after second base. He's only played in 69 names through four major league seasons and has a career .198 average and .535 OPS, but he was semi-decent for the Yankees last year and could be tapping into power that he's always lacked in the majors.

He wouldn't be a perfect fill-in for Meadows, who was due for a big season before he got hurt, but putting Jones on the Opening Day roster would mean the Tigers don't have to scramble to the waiver wire and pick up a player who might be more questionable. At least Jones has already shown the team what he might be capable of doing if he gets another shot in the bigs.