Tigers DFA former promising rookie after Alex Cobb deal becomes official

The Tigers made their deal with Alex Cobb official on Tuesday, with full (absurd contract details) released accordingly. Cobb will make $15 million minimum but can make up to $17 million if he manages to pitch 140-150 innings this season. He'll likely be the only starter Detroit ends up signing when the offseason is over, which is disappointing to say the least, but isn't altogether surprising.

The 40-man roster was full when Cobb's initial signing was announced, so the Tigers had to make room when it became official. They decided to cut Quad-A man Akil Baddoo, designating him for assignment to clear space on the roster.

Baddoo was a top prospect back in 2021, the same year the Tigers called him and quickly made him a major league mainstay. His 2021 season showed plenty of promise — in 124 games, he hit .259 with a .766 OPS, 20 doubles, 13 homers, and 55 RBI, and he made the Opening Day roster in 2022.

However, his play quickly declined and power disappeared, and he was optioned back to the minors by early May, only to be called up again in July. This is basically what his life has turned into ever since, with repeating recalls and options through 2023 and 2024.

There's a chance he may return to the Tigers organization if he clears waivers, but it looks like the Tigers may finally be ready to move on.

Tigers DFA Akil Baddoo to clear roster space for Alex Cobb after signing becomes official

Baddoo played in just 31 games in 2024, mostly while Kerry Carpenter was on the IL with lumbar spine inflammation and Parker Meadows was absent with a hamstring strain. He platooned with Riley Greene in left field for most of his stay and hit just .137 with a .521 OPS and two homers during his short stints.

It's a disappointing fall from grace for a player who was a non-roster invitee to spring training in 2021, but managed to make the Opening Day roster and then quickly made franchise history when he hit two homers (the second was a grand slam) in his the first two major league games of his career.

It's likely that someone picks Baddoo up off of waivers and turns him into a Quad-A player somewhere else, but if he clears them, he'll go back to Toledo and the cycle is likely to start itself all over again. For his sake, it might be best if his future is with another organization, who might be able to bring back whatever magic he had in 2021.