Tigers re-sign former trade acquisition after offseason non-tender

The Detroit Tigers conducted some roster housekeeping in November but have continued to make small adjustments ever since as they (hopefully) prepare for bigger moves to propel the 2025 team after their promising finish this past year.

Less than two weeks after designating him for assignment, the Tigers have brought right-handed pitcher Ricky Vanasco back on a minor-league deal.

For now, the 26-year-old will be assigned to Triple-A Toledo. However, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, Vanasco’s contract comes with an invite to Major League Spring Training as well as a $925,000 salary at the Major League level – a $25,000 raise over what he made in 2024.

Vanasco started the 2024 regular season with the Los Angeles Dodgers but was traded to Detroit just before the MLB trade deadline in exchange for cash considerations. The right-hander logged an impressive 1.06 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 17 innings in 11 appearances for Triple-A Toledo, and he even pitched two scoreless innings of MLB action with the Tigers in September.

Vanasco's full-season stats for 2024 are less impressive due to his early struggles with the Dodgers. Petzold noted that Vanasco made some changes to his pitching arsenal when he came to Detroit, namely scrapping his curveball and adding a slider and a cutter alongside his fastball, which could be part of the reasoning behind his improved numbers with the Tigers.

Tigers re-sign Ricky Vanasco after DFAing him at Rule 5 protection deadline

Vanasco was one of three players designated for assignment by the Tigers at last month's Rule 5 protection deadline to make space for upper level bullpen arms in Tyler Mattison, Tyler Owens and Chase Lee on the 40-man roster.

Mattison was the Tigers' fourth-round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, while Owens and Lee were both acquired at the July trade deadline from the Texas Rangers as part of the Andrew Chafin trade. All three were eligible to be selected in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft, prompting the Tigers to protect them by adding them to the 40-man roster.

Even if Vanasco doesn't make the Tigers' Opening Day roster, he is a solid depth piece whose contract can be selected from Triple-A Toledo at any point during the season if the Tigers run into injury trouble in their Major League bullpen. Regardless, the hope is that he will be able to continue to build upon the success he had during his first stint with Detroit last year.

More Tigers content from Motor City Bengals