| Detroit Free Press
New Detroit Tigers outfielder Robbie Grossman: ‘I’m excited for what’s to come’
Detroit Tigers outfielder Robbie Grossman talks Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, about joining a new organization and his love for A.J. Hinch.
Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press
Dustin Garneau is a realist. He knew a big-league contract wasn’t in his cards, not after last season. But where the veteran catcher lacks experience as a starter, he makes up for it with a wealth of knowledge.
That made the Detroit Tigers a perfect fit.
The 33-year-old signed a minor-league deal Dec. 23, picking the Tigers over at least five other teams. His contract includes an invitation to big-league spring training, meaning he gets to compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster.
“I was just looking for the best opportunity to prove myself,” Garneau told the Free Press on Wednesday. “I felt the Tigers gave me the best shot.”
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If Garneau makes the team, he will make $1 million. He has three separate opt-outs beginning in June.
The Tigers are waiting for the free-agent market to unfold, but they seem willing to stand pat at catcher if needed. For now, Garneau, Jake Rogers (25 years old) and Grayson Greiner (28) are set to battle for two openings.
Fellow catcher Eric Haase was designated for assignment Dec. 23 — the same day Garneau signed — to make room for new right-hander Jose Urena on the 40-man roster. (Since then, Haase cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Toledo.)
[ Tigers sign Jose Urena, but their short-term plan hasn’t worked recently ]
If general manager Al Avila doesn’t add another catcher, Garneau has a chance to break camp with the Tigers.
Rogers hit .125 through 35 games in 2019, his only taste of in the majors. Greiner has a .194 batting average in 106 career games across three seasons.
“I’m just looking to fit into the mix,” Garneau said. “If I worry about those guys, my performance is going to be lackluster. The two guys, Greiner and Rogers, are very talented, and they speak highly of them. I’m just going to go in and pick their brains as much as I can and compete to the best of my ability.”
Relationships lead to Detroit
After Garneau signed a one-year contract with Houston Astros in November 2019, he got a text message from then-Astros manager AJ Hinch: “Congrats. I look forward to working with you.”
Less than two months later, Hinch was fired by the Astros and received a year-long MLB suspension for his role in the team’s 2017 sign-stealing plot.
[ How AJ Hinch plans to rewrite the story on prospect Jake Rogers ]
Yet dialogue between Garneau and his teammates in Houston helped him learn more about the manager who is now leading the Tigers. This time, Hinch spoke with his new veteran catcher on the phone.
“The energy and the communication, that’s what the guys in Houston said was second to none,” Garneau said. “He went into every game very prepared. The best thing a manager can do to his players is to be on their side and keep them informed. Also, they said his game management was second to none, from how he managed his bullpen and starters.”
[ Why did Robbie Grossman join Tigers? Hinch’s winning culture ]
There’s another relationship that helped bring Garneau to the Tigers, and it dates to the 2019 season with the Los Angeles Angels. His bench coach there was former MLB catcher Josh Paul, who is now the Tigers’ quality control coach. They often keep in touch.
“I picked his brain a ton when we were both with the Angels,” Garneau said. “He had a ton of information about the new school of catching but also being able to blend the new school of analytics with being a productive daily catcher. Him and (Brad) Ausmus helped me a ton.”
Inside Garneau’s game
Garneau got a handful of offers early in free agency, so he didn’t panic amid the slow-moving offseason. However, none of the teams with early interest were willing to give him a realistic chance to secure a job in the majors.
Until the Tigers entered the conversation.
THE FUTURE: What the Tigers are telling us with the Grossman signing
Still, Garneau has a lot to prove. He hit .158 in 17 games for the Astros in 2020, and his career .202 batting average with nine home runs and 42 RBIs isn’t much to brag about. He has played 140 games across six seasons.
“Defense first, obviously,” Garneau said. “Controlling the staff, having a rapport with my pitching staff. The metrics are coming I’ve been working on, trying to improve on to be a more productive catcher. Just being a guy no one has to worry about. I’m going to show up every day prepared.”
He owns .990 fielding percentage and has thrown out 33% of the runners trying to steal against him. His .136 isolated power is average, accompanied by his .288 on-base percentage and .338 slugging percentage. His 9.6% walk rate is impressive; his 25.5% strikeout rate is poor.
But Garneau knows there is more to his game than the numbers. Despite never being a full-time starter, he hopes his experience helps him reach the majors in 2021. At 33, mentoring Rogers or Greiner — while one of them gets substantial playing time — could be a fitting role as the Tigers advance the rebuild.
“Absolutely. I love to talk baseball and help the teammates and guys around me,” Garneau said. “If you’re coming off as kind of an a-hole, it’s not going to go well for you or the team. Having a good rapport with the guys you’re going to be with means a lot to you, to them and for the pitching staff and team in general.”
Evan Petzold is a sports reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold.