The Detroit Tigers signed veteran outfielder Manuel Margot to a one-year split contract on Monday.
The deal will pay Margot $1.3 million in the major leagues and $200,000 in the minors. The 30-year-old can also earn $300,000 performance bonuses for 200, 300, 400 and 500 plate appearances reached — each with the big club.
Margot spent 2024 with the Minnesota Twins, where he batted .238, with four home runs, 31 RBIs, 37 runs, and five stolen bases in 129 games. He added 17 doubles and one triple.
Over a nine-year career with the San Diego Padres (2016-2019), Tampa Bay Rays (2020-2023) and the Twins, the right-handed hitter has a .254 average with 56 homers, 314 RBIs, 352 runs and 96 stolen bases in 917 games.
Outfielder Parker Meadows was moved to the 60-day injured list to make room on the 40-man roster. He is set to miss at least the next four weeks with a nerve issue and inflammation in his upper right arm.
With Matt Vierling (rotator cuff) also set to miss Opening Day for the Tigers, Margot adds needed depth and can help fill a void in center field. He has played all three outfield positions and will give Tigers manager A.J. Hinch more flexibility with his lineup.
A Dominican Republic native, Margot was signed as an international free agent by the Boston Red Sox in 2011.
