The Tigers announced today that they’ve signed veteran first baseman James Loney to a minor league contract. Loney will report to extended Spring Training for the time being as he gets back up to speed after sitting out since late March, when he was released from Rangers camp.
Loney was released by the Rays early last year in the final season of a three-year, $21MM contract, though he latched on with the Mets and spent the bulk of the 2016 campaign with New York, filling in for the injured Lucas Duda. In 366 plate appearances with the Mets, Loney slashed .265/.307/.397 with nine homers, 16 doubles and a triple. Defensively, he rated out as slightly above average at first base, per Defensive Runs Saved (+2) and slightly below average, per Ultimate Zone Rating (-0.8).
The Tigers don’t have much of a need for Loney at the Major League level presently, with Miguel Cabrera locking down first base and Victor Martinez lined up as the primary designated hitter, but the 32-year-old Loney (33 next month) will add some depth to cover the team in the event of an injury. Detroit currently has Efren Navarro manning first base for its Triple-A affiliate in Toledo, though Navarro can play some corner outfield as well, and Loney comes with considerably more Major League experience. In parts of 11 Major League seasons, Loney is a career .284/.336/.410 hitter that has averaged a dozen homers and 30 doubles per 162 games played.
arc89
Very sad when a ballplayer doesn’t understand his playing days are over. So he goes to AAA to end out a career.
chesteraarthur
Maybe he just enjoys playing baseball?
arc89
If he does why not become a coach at a high school. Pass on the gift of being a ball player.
chesteraarthur
because coaching isn’t playing. This isn’t a hard distinction.
arc89
Obviously you never coached.
padreforlife
Who are you to tell Loney what he should do? What’s sad is you chiming in
alexgordonbeckham
What’s so hard to understand? He wants to PLAY not COACH.
chesteraarthur
How does experience in coaching change the definition of a word?
xabial
The amazing part about all this Chesteraarthur, padrefanforlife and Alexgordonbeckham is all your comments have 1 dislike each. You just know he’s the only one down voting all your comments.. Lol
Thank you all for saving me the time writing a lengthy response to this joker.
Good luck Loney!!! We’re all with you!!!! (Not that you’re reading this)
nysoxsam
Not sure why you consider his career over? He did an excellent job last year for the Mets and as he only plays one position, he needs to wait for an injury to open up an MLB need. He’ll be back.
Snake65
As a Mets fan I thought he did a good job. And those numbers aren’t bad. There are far worse guys on major league teams now. The only reason James is stuck is because he can only play 1st. If he could play other positions he would be on a team already.
Kayrall
Loney’s career is NOT quite over. He may not have a full time starting position locked down on a team, but he’s not Jimmy Rollins or Johan Santana (both of whom I would love to see discover some sort of magic.)
sascoach2003
Good, veteran pickup. He will be a nice depth piece later in the year.
Zach725
Hmmm I don’t know, maybe he enjoys PLAYING baseball
cowboysoldier 2
I’ve coached and played and nothing beats playing. Excitement wise anyway. But coaching is fun and a joy.
padresfan
He didn’t latch on with the mets. He latched on with the padres and was traded to the mets
joshua0122
This makes a lot of sense. Loney is a left handed bat, which the Tigers are really lacking. And an OPS of .700 last year seems to be serviceable in a PH role. Also, Miggy and Victor aren’t getting any younger, they could use some extra days off. If Loney can show at AAA that his bat has life, I think this is a great pick up.
nationals2017
did you read the article? He’s not going to AAA.
ReverieDays
Look at that majestic F9 pose.
ugenz
And Matt Murton toils away in Toledo.
joshua0122
I did read the article. He’s starting in extended spring training. He’ll then most likely report to AAA (according to Detroit News). The only way this doesn’t happen if he’s horrible in extended spring training or a freak injury happens and is put on the Major League roster.