The Detroit Tigers have signed outfielder Manuel Margot to a one-year, split contract for the 2025 season, paying him $1,300,000 in the major leagues and $200,000 in the minor leagues.
He can earn performance bonuses of $300,000 for 200, 300, 400, and 500 plate appearances reached each while in the major leagues. To make room for Margot on the 40-man roster, outfielder Parker Meadows has been placed on the 60-day disabled list with right upper arm inflammation. Margot joins the Tigers as a career .254 hitter (742-for-2,927) with 150 doubles, 56 home runs, 96 stolen bases and 314 RBI in all or parts of nine major league seasons with the San Diego Padres (2016-19), Tampa Bay Rays (2020-23) and Minnesota Twins (2024).
He went to major league spring training this year with the Milwaukee Brewers but was granted his release on Saturday. Margot has seen extensive big league action at all three outfield positions, mostly in center field with 542 career games played. He has also played 242 games in right field and 115 games in left field. The 30-year-old right-handed hitter broke into the big leagues with the Padres in 2016 and spent four seasons with the club before his move to the Rays in 2020, making his first of four consecutive playoff appearances starting that year.
He spent his lone season with the Twins in 2024, batting .238 (75-for-315) with 17 doubles, four homers and 31 RBI in 129 games, seeing time at all three outfield positions. Margot, a native of San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, was originally signed in 2011 by the Boston Red Sox.
LARRY ARREGUIN