The Tigers have released first baseman James Loney, as announced by the club’s Triple-A affiliate in Toledo (hat tip to John Wagner of the Toledo Blade). The move was made to create a roster spot for JaCoby Jones, who was assigned to Triple-A after his Tigers DL stint ended.
The news makes for an unfortunate birthday present for Loney, who turns 33 years old today. The veteran signed a minor league deal with Detroit on April 12 after being released from another minors deal with the Rangers near the end of Spring Training. Heading into today’s action, Loney had hit .200/.351/.222 over 57 plate appearances for Toledo.
After spending his first 10 seasons with the Dodgers and Rays, Loney has bounced around with four different organizations (Padres, Mets, Rangers, Tigers) since being released by Tampa Bay in April 2016. He did score quite a bit of playing time for New York last season, hitting .265/.307/.397 over 366 PA as a replacement for the injured Lucas Duda.
Given Loney’s experience and left-handed bat, he seems like a good bet to catch on with another team as minor league depth. He owns a career .295/.349/.431 slash line against right-handed pitching, and while his once outstanding first base defense has declined in recent years (as per UZR/150 and Defensive Runs Saved), Loney can still provide at least average glovework.
Detroit, of course, has no pressing need at first base on the MLB level with Miguel Cabrera locking down the position. Alex Avila, Andrew Romine and Jim Adduci can play the position as backups, and youngster John Hicks (since demoted to Triple-A) hit quite well filling in for Cabrera during a recent DL stint.
Why on his birthday
The Mets are going to claim him;)
“We’re already paying him, we might as well save the money on another player. Plus we have to plan for more DL staycations that will be coming up in the next few weeks. Some of the guys are tired watching teammates hanging out and having fun so we’ve told the team that everyone will have a chance to get playtime in before the summer hits.
Ok was it necessary to release on bday…
Wow, that’s cold. Then again, it’s Detroit. Classy organization.
What else were they supposed to do? Release a better player? E
Don’t be hater it happens everywhere
why release him on his birthday tho
Dumping him on his birthday really takes the cake.
This
It’s not like he’s hurting financially (like the time my former employer let people go the Monday before Thanksgiving – that really hurt to see because those individuals had families). Anyway, I was writing because the article neglected to mention he played briefly with the Red Sox, being part of the Gonzalez, Crawford, Beckett, Punto trade.
It’s a business, people.
not to many.
James Loney, who is a completely average baseball player, has made about 37 million dollars in his career. I’m sure he’ll be okay even being released on his birthday.
Calling James Loney “completely average” is a birthday present in and of itself. Dude’s terrible lol
Career ops of 104. Basically the definition of average.
Should be ops plus
Agreed. If I had $36 million in earnings to rely upon, being released on my birthday would be a manageable offence – business. For what it’s worth, about $36 million, I enjoyed watching Loney play.
16 comments and no mention of the svelt fast twitch muscle tiger lean physique on this specimen? Ahaha nice picture JAMES
Him and Guthrie
“Nothing personal Mr. Loney, it’s business”
33 is still very good in baseball years, you have time for that last really good contract