CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The Tigers, facing a void in center field with Parker Meadows and Matt Vierling injured, are bringing in help, agreeing to terms on Sunday with veteran Manuel Margot on a Major League contract pending a physical, sources told MLB.com.
The Tigers have not confirmed the agreement, which was first reported by The Athletic.
The 30-year-old Margot, who spent last season on the other end of the AL Central race with the Twins, was in Spring Training with the Brewers as a non-roster invitee before exercising an opt-out in his deal over the weekend. The Tigers moved quickly to bring him into their outfield mix.
Margot, whose nine-year MLB tenure included four years each with the Padres and Rays before going to Minnesota last year, hit .238/.289/.337 in 129 games with the Twins. He has consistently been stronger against left-handed pitching, including a .713 OPS off southpaws last season and a .753 OPS for his career, 66 points above his overall OPS.
Margot fills a need on a Detroit roster that was projecting to lean towards left-handed bats. The Tigers have been mixing right-handed bats into the outfield for much of Spring Training since Vierling’s right rotator cuff muscle strain ruled him out for Opening Day. Javier Báez started in center field Saturday against the Braves, Spencer Torkelson started a game in right field this past week and Justyn-Henry Malloy has been a regular presence in the corners.
While Margot doesn’t have a high walk rate, he controls the strike zone well. His 15.7 percent strikeout rate last year ranked in the 84th percentile among MLB players, according to Baseball Savant. His 17.6 percent strikeout rate for his career is nearly five points below the MLB average, according to Baseball Reference.
Margot plays all three outfield positions, which fits the Tigers’ versatility needs similar to Vierling. Margot played in just 21 games in center field last year in Minnesota behind Byron Buxton, Austin Martin and Willi Castro, but he backed up Kevin Kiermaier there with Tampa Bay in previous seasons. He began his MLB career as a primary center fielder with San Diego.
At the very least, Margot’s center-field capabilities give the Tigers options behind switch-hitting Wenceel Pérez and All-Star Riley Greene. Margot's addition follows news Saturday that Parker Meadows will remain sidelined for at least the next four weeks while resting a nerve issue in his right upper arm.