Ahead of the Rule 5 draft in December, the Detroit Tigers made several moves to adjust their 40-man roster. Tuesday marked the final day for MLB teams to add players to their 40-man roster to protect them from the draft, and the Tigers added three minor league relievers while designating three players for assignment.
Right-handed pitchers Tyler Mattison, Tyler Owens, and Chase Lee were added to the roster, while infielder Eddys Leonard, and pitchers Ricky Vanasco and Brendan White were designated for assignment.
The roster decisions were relatively straightforward with no major surprises. Mattison, who was considered one of the Tigers’ top relief prospects before undergoing Tommy John surgery last spring, was added despite being unlikely to return until at least mid-2025. Given his injury, Mattison is unlikely to be selected in the Rule 5 draft, where players must remain on an MLB roster for the entire season. However, he could be moved to the injured list temporarily, opening up a roster spot if needed.
Owens and Lee, both acquired in July trades with the Texas Rangers, were added as well. Lee came over in the Andrew Chafin trade and showed strong potential with the Tigers, striking out 31 batters in just 22 innings. Lee’s sidearm delivery and high-spin slider have made him an intriguing option for the Tigers bullpen. Owens, a hard-throwing reliever acquired in the Carson Kelly trade, impressed with his velocity and strikeout potential after joining the Tigers, increasing his strikeout rate and showing improved control.
As for the designated players, the moves weren’t unexpected, but Leonard’s designation was a bit of a surprise. Acquired in the 2023 trade deadline for cash, Leonard had a strong Triple-A debut for the Tigers but struggled with injuries in 2024. Though he has some defensive versatility, playing second, shortstop, third base, and even a bit of outfield, his aggressive approach at the plate and injury issues contributed to the Tigers’ decision to move on. Leonard will likely not be selected in the Rule 5 draft, given his struggles with major league pitching.
Vanasco, who was acquired late in the season, didn’t make a significant impact, and White, who spent most of 2024 sidelined with arm injuries, was also designated for assignment. White showed promise in previous years with a high-spin fastball, but his injury-plagued 2024 season left his future uncertain. If healthy, White could still make a return to the Tigers’ bullpen.
Among the players left exposed to the Rule 5 draft, fringe catching prospect Liam Hicks and infielder Gage Workman stand out. Workman had a modest breakout season after several years of struggle and offers an intriguing mix of defensive versatility and raw power. However, his lack of consistent contact and struggles against left-handed pitchers make him a long shot to be selected.
The Tigers also have a number of promising prospects, including outfielder Roberto Campos and left-handed pitcher Gabriel Reyes, who are still considered too raw to be protected for the Rule 5 draft. Other prospects like pitchers Joseph Montalvo, Yosber Sanchez, RJ Petit, and Marco Jimenez are also not yet ready for major league duty but could be candidates for selection in the draft if they show significant progress.
Meanwhile, the Tigers have already signed several minor league free agents, including catcher Eliezer Alfonzo and pitchers Freddy Pacheco and Marco Jimenez, though they remain eligible for the Rule 5 draft.
In other Tigers news, manager A.J. Hinch finished third in the American League Manager of the Year voting. Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt won the award after leading the team to the ALCS in the wake of a disappointing 2023 season.
Finally, the Tigers are making significant upgrades to Comerica Park this offseason, including a revamped playing surface and a new premium seating area called the Home Plate Club, which will feature heated and cooled seating. These new seats will be ready by Opening Day, though the full club itself won’t open until next summer.
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