Detroit Tigers shift around depth to support potential roster moves

Detroit Tigers add a cluster of minor league free agents.

The Detroit Tigers off-seasons still have plenty of time left & plenty of changes to pair with that. The latest Tigers move is one that has the team continuing to cultivate some organizational depth. After the non-tender deadline has passed, the team continues to build for the future.

They chose to let several free agents walk this offseason, but the Detroit Tigers added four of the players who were let go on minor league contracts. This came when the team was trimming down the 40-man roster and making the necessary moves.

But, they were able to bring several of those players back on deals that send them to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. While these contracts may not be huge, it frees up some room to make moves with the players on the 40-man and have replacements readily available. (If needed.)

The Tigers added Brendon Davis, Miguel Diaz, Jermaine Palacios, and Michael Papierski to the Toledo Mud Hens on minor-league deals. It's a deal that makes sense for several reasons as the Tigers keep moving through the offseason.

While some analysts seem to think the Tigers have jumped into a rebuild once again, others may feel that the Tigers are trying to right the ship and emerge on the other side of this as a competing ballclub once again.

Either way, these players allow Scott Harris to continue making moves as he sees fit for the future of this Tigers organization. Brendon Davis saw time with the Tigers in 2022 and was on the 40-man roster for the duration of the season; he has since returned to the organization and provides some versatility in the minors.

Miguel Diaz is a relief option for the Tigers to stash in the minors. He has the big-league experience and could play on the MLB roster as needed for the organization. Diaz will be a replacement option if the Tigers end up trading away a bullpen arm or two. With Joe Jiménez and Gregory Soto being players on the trade block, there's the possibility they may have to bring up an arm.

Jermaine Palacios was brought in via waivers earlier this fall, but the Tigers ended up putting him on waivers. He ended up returning to the organization and could end up being one of the Tigers' depth pieces among infielders.

However, one of Harris's first moves was to bring in Michael Papierski to bolster down the team's catching corps. It's expected that he re-joined the team as he will serve as depth in the minors. But it's good to see the Tigers building some depth and allowing room to make moves.

As the Tigers continue on with the offseason, they will have room to keep making moves as is necessary.