The Tigers have granted unconditional releases to infielder Josh Harrison and right-hander Sandy Baez, per a team announcement. The club also made the previously reported promotion of righty Edwin Jackson official.
This marks the end of a tough Tigers tenure for Harrison, a former Pirate who joined Detroit on a $2MM guarantee in free agency last winter. Harrison, who underwent surgery on a partially torn hamstring in June, hasn’t played since May 27. The 32-year-old was a capable hitter for most of his Pirates stint, but he only managed a .176/.219/.265 line with one home run in 146 plate appearances as a Tiger.
Baez, 25, was once a promising prospect. He topped out as Baseball America’s 13th-ranked Tigers farmhand after the 2016 season. He threw 15 1/3 innings with the Tigers from 2018-19, but only one of those frames came this year – a season in which he has dealt with injuries. Baez debuted at the Triple-A level this year and posted a 7.36 ERA with 7.36 K/9 and 5.73 BB/9 in 22 innings.
Thomas Bliss
Come on ChiSox, sign Harrison.
justinept
why?
ChiSoxCity
Harrison was never good to begin with. Decent glove, speed is gone and can’t hit a lick.
3Rivers
Look at what he’s done b4 going b to Detroit. He can play almost every position, start or come off bench, I doubt he’s lost it in less one year.
BigBallsLongBat
His OBP is only as high as the hits he gets. Not much of a slugger either. Has more clubhouse and versatility value.
Thomas Bliss
Because he can play every position out there. Yes Sox have young talent but they just ain’t ready. We can keep them down and play him and keep from over working some of the guys we got now. Keep from over working Yoan when he gets back or TA7 can get an extra night off or Eloy.
Monkey’s Uncle
I like Harrison, but he cannot and has never been a guy who plays every position well. He’s always been pretty good at 2B and 3B. He’s never been good at SS, and despite what many think he is not a good OFer at all. Any time he had made a nice catch in the outfield has been because he misread it and/or got a bad jump; he has no instincts for the outfield.
Oxford Karma
A team that’s out of it and has good young players who need at bats. The white Sox is one of the worst landing places for him.
BN78
Harrison is a beast – he’ll be back even if it takes 2 years. Now is the time to invest low and work towards returns in the future.
3Rivers
He was a beast. I do find it hard to believe he’s lost his ability just like that. He can be valuable for a team down the stretch.
davidkaner
Harrison is done. Who is signing a soon to be 33 year old coming off a hamstring surgery? Some guys just can’t play in April when they get old. He missed training camp, rushed to get in playing shape, tore his hamstring. Retire….
PeeWeeGaskins
Harrison was the worst. Good riddance.
3Rivers
Maybe for Detroit, not with the Pirates. Far from the ‘worst’
PeeWeeGaskins
Uh yeah, that’s what I meant.
thetech
Red Sox might p/u Harrison
jr.white
He certainly can’t pitch worse than he’s been hitting
DarkSide830
Harrison could use a year in the KBO perhaps.
metsie1
Wow, the Tigers are in really bad shape. Nothing seems to be working.
chicagofan1978
Was a huge fan of his on the Pirates. I really wanted the White Sox to sign him. Glad they didn’t
lannonrich
Which is why they should have never given Avila an extension.
natguy8
Harrison can help teams. Once he gets healthy and receives and opportunity he can produce enough to get into a lineup. He can also be the utility player which teams love
sergefunction
If The Late Al Avila signs you up, you die.
talking baseball
I don’t want this to happen, but he sounds like a candidate for the Giants. His age of 33 makes it a tough sell for me. So Giants just say NO !!
SFGiants74
Why would he be a candidate for the Giants? I don’t see the fit.
ScottCFA
Harrison was worse in the minors than the major league stats of the AAAA players the Tigers have in the infield now. He just had no place left on the team. They’ll also need some 40-man spots, like for Edwin Jackson (lol!).
HalosHeavenJJ
I’ll always be a fan of Josh Harrison. Great guy who does a lot for the community.
At some point, everyone has to move on and it looks like he’s at that point.
tbone0816
Always enjoyed watching Harrison when he was with the Pirates!
geejohnny
If he’s healthy he’ll find a job. Full time hustle and a great guy to have around. In reality he’s a
.270 hitter with little power and good glove. Better than a lot of current utility players already on rosters.
66TheNumberOfTheBest
Josh is a great guy. I wish him well. Maybe he can get an invite and rebound.