The Tigers announced that they have designated outfielder Travis Demeritte for assignment. His 40-man roster spot will go to second baseman Jonathan Schoop, whom the team agreed to re-sign Friday.
Demeritte was a first-round pick (No. 3o) of the Rangers in 2013 who became a member of the Braves organization in 2016. The Braves wound up trading Demeritte to the Tigers in a 2019 deal centering on reliever Shane Greene, though Demeritte never made much of a mark in the Motor City. Between 2019-20, Demeritte batted just .217/.284/.323 with three home runs in 219 plate appearances.
Despite his issues in the bigs, Demeritte may appeal to other teams. Still just 26 years old, Demeritte has slashed .286/.387/.558 in 399 trips to the plate at the Triple-A level. He also has two minor league options remaining.
Monkey’s Uncle
Rather than praise them for this move, I’m going to give the Tigers a Demeritte.
tg0880
Bro wtf how does Stewart not the boot
For Love of the Game
This guy is even worse. .608 OPS for Demeritte vs. .676 for Stewart. But Stewie just moved one spot in the DFA line.
dkhits20
Stewart’s had more than double the MLB at-bats to prove himself., FWIW.
tigergreg
I came here to say the designated the wrong DH/OF who cant hit. I’d keep Demerritt over Stewart but really neither is worthy of a roster spot.
DarkSide830
he was not that long ago a huge prospect. Demeritte, by contrast, was hot and cold in the minors.
GarryHarris
With the exception of Victor Reyes, the sad fact is that Travis Demeritte is just as good or better than Christin Stewart, JaCoby Jones, and everyone else that will man the DET OF.
tigersgm
Just as good as j Jones,? Hmm
dugdog83
Jones is better then Reyes
GarryHarris
JaCoby Jones has had more than enough time to prove himself. He’s not a good hitter and is on again off again CF defense. If Dereritte was given a chance, he would be much better.
warnbeeb
Jones is better. Jones gets hurt all the time.
Stat_head
Jones had an .847 OPS and .127 OPS+ with a +1 Outs Above Average in CF last year. He’s a solid CF whose defense can improve if the shift strategy & execution improves. His problem is staying healthy.
gotigers68
Hopefully they’ll sign Cron, and you’ll get your wish….
tgnorthen
I just think of Jack Black in School of Rock asking “What are these black dots?”
tigerdoc616
Demeritte getting DFA’d was no surprise, though the roster has a few DFA candidates.
bravesfan
Braves need to grab Travis back as a bench piece. I like him better than our other guys anyways and I have a weakness for former Braves top prospects that just couldn’t get over that final hump
FredMcGriff for the HOF
I second that Braves fan.
bravesfan
CALLED IT! IT HAPPENED!! Lol
Yankee Clipper
Isn’t this guy a super utility? I’m not all that familiar with him but I seem to recall that. Lot of team are in the market for a decent defender that can be a multi-position player.
tigergreg
He hasnt played anything but corner OF since AA where he played 2B and 3B and made lots of errors. He wasnt great in the OF for the Tigers either.
bighiggy
With fowler gone, maybe throw another outfielders name into the ring? I mean couldnt hurt and they need guys at triple a
For Love of the Game
.284 OBP in 219 MLB plate appearances. .608 OPS. K’s a third of the time. Yikes. Sort of fits his name…demerit.
AzTigersfan
Another DFA trade pick up for Al. We are going no where with him at the helm
GarryHarris
You hear the DET sports media constantly clamor for Avila to trade away the Tigers’ best players for prospects. Yet they ignore the results when they get their wish.
hitztheball
Joey Wentz was who they wanted. Demeritte was a throw in
GarryHarris
Not true. The Tigers strongly considered taking Demeritte during the previous rule 5 draft.
Hard to walk with four balls
After the way Green played for the Braves i’d say the Tigers won on that trade.
Stat_head
Wentz was the primary target and 7th best prospect for Atlanta at the time. Demeritte was a lottery ticket. He was having a hot season in AAA that hoped would carry over. It didn’t.
tigersgm
Agree,,
The Saber-toothed Superfife
How about Phillip Pfeifer and his personal catcher Shea?
Not that I’m partial or anything…….but if they can sign Alex……twice…..
They need? Relief?
EasternLeagueVeteran
Demerrite is a swing and a miss waiting to happen.
Orioles Fan
This has Orioles written all over it
Eat em Up
Still need one more SP, maybe a RP and preferably a better option at 1B. Get rid of Schreiber, Stewert, Maybe Funkhouser and call it an off-season.
GarryHarris
Weak at every position….
Hard to walk with four balls
Exceptionally weak in the amount of fair-weather ‘fans’ they have.
The Saber-toothed Superfife
Au contraire……. True fans are upset. Tanking IS NOT a valid strategy. It is TAKING ADVANTAGE of the true fans because we are there no matter what. And they CHOOSE to make us suffer for it!
STINKS!
hwyisalive
Demeritte sounds like a mineral needed to make star ships travel at warp. And he stinks. He’s spent at least the last 5 years underperforming expectations. Another nearly washed up prospect soon to be a candidate for Korea or Japan.
The Saber-toothed Superfife
Al is a great baseball guy. I have nothing but admiration for him.
dugdog83
Troll.
AzTigersfan
Explain to me what he’s done to be a great baseball guy? Ever since he’s taken over the tigers they have gone no where. The first round picks have been, no brainers. Who one day will be traded for a dozen more DFAs
The Saber-toothed Superfife
Ask any Astros fan……
steelerbravenation
Got Korea written all over him
Seems like Korea is where the never made it type guys go to reestablish themselves while Japan is where they go to just hold on a little longer
davidkaner
Chill out….Stew is getting a long look in Spring Training and if the rule 5 is looking good, Stew gets designated then. He might get picked up now but as a late spring training cut, they might be able to send him to AAA. If not, good riddance.