Tigers end-of-spring release just landed in a nightmare situation with reeling Mets

Austin Slater was vying for a spot on the Detroit Tigers' bench to start the season, but was facing an uphill climb. Short of an injury or Slater hitting everything in sight during Grapefruit League play, it never felt like he was going to make the roster. The 33-year-old veteran was released by the Tigers and latched on with the Miami Marlins to start the season, but he's already found a new home, and it's less than ideal.

The New York Mets have been a disaster to open the season. Juan Soto was out for two weeks in April, then they went on a 12-game losing streak that ended that last week, and are suddenly riding another three-game losing streak again.

Congrats, Slater, that is the situation you now find yourself in. Slater was designated for assignment by the Marlins last week and signed a major-league deal with the Mets over the weekend. Veteran outfielder Tommy Pham was designated for assignment by the Mets to make room for Slater.

Through his first 28 plate appearances with the Marlins this season, Slater was slashing .174/.286/,174 with a wRC+ of 39. In other words, it would seem unlikely that the discarded Tigers outfielder will be the savior for the Mets' season. What the Mets need may not be found until the team fires Carlos Mendoza, a scenario that could soon turn to reality if New York keeps up their losing ways.

Tigers won't regret passing on Austin Slater

In the aftermath of the scary injury to Parker Meadows, there would have been a case to make that perhaps the Tigers could have benefited from having Slater around. It certainly would have added outfield depth for Detroit, but nothing more than that. Besides, it's not like Slater would have made a difference for an offense that scuffled out of the gate.

Between Jahmai Jones, Matt Vierling, and Wenceel Pérez, the Tigers had the depth to get them through the injury to Meadows. Not to mention, Kevin McGonigle's arrival has allowed Javier Báez to spend most of his playing time in center field this season. Báez certainly has his warts, but if it were between him and Slater, the former would be the answer every time.

Best of luck with the Mets for Slater, he certainly is going to need it.

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