Tigers Trade For Former All-Star Outfielder

The Detroit Tigers have continued their busy offseason, swinging a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays for ex-All-Star outfielder Austin Meadows. 

The Detroit Tigers and Tampa Bay Rays are in agreement on a trade that will send OF Austin Meadows to the Tigers for shortstop Isaac Paredes and a draft pick, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 5, 2022

In return, the Rays receive shortstop Isaac Paredes and a draft pick. 

The 27-year-old Meadows was an All-Star selection in 2019 after coming over to Tampa the season before in the lopsided Chris Archer deal. Meadows posted a .922 OPS in 2019, with a .291 average, 33 HR and 89 RBIs. 

He struggled in the shortened 2020 season due to a bad case of Covid, but then came back with 27 HR and 106 RBIs for the Rays this past season. Unfortunately, his average has been trending in the wrong direction for the past couple of years, as he hit just .234 in '21. He particularly struggled against left-handers, batting just .198.

In Detroit, he'll start in the outfield with Akil Baddoo and 
Robbie Grossma, or he might spell Miguel Cabrera at DH on occasion. 

The Tigers are hoping Meadows returns to his All-Star form.

Photo Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports