Tigers avoid arbitration, sign surprisingly clutch utility player for 2025

Hours before Major League Baseball's non-tender deadline on Friday, the Detroit Tigers and utility infielder Zach McKinstry agreed to a $1.65 million contract for 2025.

As first reported by Robert Murray of FanSided and later confirmed by Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, McKinstry and the Tigers avoided arbitration in his first year of eligibility. The utility man slashed just .215/.277/.337 with four home runs and 16 stolen bases over 118 games for the Tigers in 2024. He made appearances at seven different positions on the diamond for Detroit in 2024, including pitcher and designated hitter, and is slated to fill a utility role again next season.

The $1.65 million McKinstry will earn next season is higher than MLB Trade Rumors' $1.3 million projected salary for the 29-year-old in his first year of arbitration eligibility. He is one of 11 arbitration-eligible players on the Tigers' 40-man roster, a group headlined by former No. 1 overall draft pick Casey Mize and unanimous American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.

Zach McKinstry demonstrated clutch ability for Tigers off the bench in magical 2024 stretch run

McKinstry may have once been considered a potential non-tender candidate, given he's more of a fringe player who could slip through the cracks for the Tigers as they enter a critical offseason facing heightened expectations following last season's playoff run.

This doesn't rule out the possibility of McKinstry eventually being moved in a trade to another team looking to fill out their bench as the Tigers look to upgrade their roster with some more established, high-level talent. McKinstry's defensive versatility is valuable, but Detroit is expected to focus on adding more impact bats to its lineup this offseason.

For now, McKinstry remains one of the elder statesmen on a Tigers roster that saw an infusion of youth in the second half of the 2024 season. A former 33rd-round pick, he is a grinder in the field and was a Gold Glove finalist at the utility position in 2023. He has also demonstrated clutch ability at the plate, most recently smashing a game-tying home run in Game 4 of the ALDS against the Cleveland Guardians.

McKinstry may not be the flashiest or most exciting player, but he has proven that he can be relied upon in key moments. Clearly, the Tigers see him as an important piece on their roster.

More Tigers content from Motor City Bengals