Evan Petzold | Detroit Free Press
The Detroit Tigers‘ signing of outfielder Nomar Mazara is official.
The 25-year-old signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract Thursday night, and the organization announced the move Friday. To make room for Mazara on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher John Schreiber was designated for assignment.
Manager AJ Hinch wanted a left-handed bat to help the Tigers against right-handed pitching. The team had a .227 batting average against righties — fifth-worst in MLB — and a third-worst .655 on-base plus slugging percentage.
POWER BAT: Tigers sign outfielder Nomar Mazara to one-year, $1.75 million contract
“Bringing Nomar onboard does exactly that,” Tigers general manager Al Avila said in a released statement. “He’s still a young player, and we believe he’s really going to benefit from working with (hitting coach) Scott Coolbaugh, (assistant hitting coach) José Cruz Jr. and the rest of our coaching staff, who will help to maximize the potential of his power and overall hitting tools that’s made him successful in years past.”
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In his first four seasons, spent with the Texas Rangers form 2016-19, Mazara ranked first in RBIs (308) among left-handed American League outfielders. He was fifth in hits (519), sixth in home runs (79) and runs (171), seventh in extra-base hits (181) and eighth in doubles (95). He was one of 10 MLB outfielders with at least 19 homers in each season during that span.
And then came 2020, as the Rangers dealt him to the Chicago White Sox.
Seemingly destined for long-term success, Mazara crashed. His batting average fell from .268 in 2019 to .228 with the White Sox, and he had one homer and 15 RBIs in 42 games a season after putting up 19 homers and 66 RBIs in 116 games.
“This is such an exciting time to join the Tigers organization and be part of a lineup that has the potential to do some great things,” Mazara said. “After a frustrating 2020 season, I’m looking forward to a fresh start and getting to work with the coaching staff — especially AJ Hinch, who I always enjoyed competing against during his time in Houston.”
Still, Mazara is one of five players since 2010 to launch at least 19 home runs in at least four seasons before turning 25. The others: Carlos Correa, Bryce Harper, Giancarlo Stanton and Mike Trout.
He was non-tendered by the White Sox in December, making him a free agent.
“I’ve come to really appreciate coming to Detroit as a visiting player,” Mazara said, “and (I) can’t wait to join their baseball community this season.”
Schreiber, 26, appeared in 13 games in 2019, his first year in the majors, logging 13 innings with a 6.23 ERA, 19 strikeouts and four walks. In 15 appearances in 2020, his numbers were nearly identical: a 6.32 ERA, 14 strikeouts and four walks in 15⅔ innings.
If Schreiber clears waivers, he can be sent to Triple-A Toledo. The Tigers drafted him the in 15th round in 2016 draft out of Northwestern Ohio. He attended Gibraltar Carlson High in Michigan.
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Demeritte heads back to Braves
Outfielder Travis Demeritte has been claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves. He was designated for assignment Feb. 5 to make room for the re-signing of second baseman Jonathan Schoop.
Demeritte, 26, played 66 games across two seasons in Detroit, hitting .217 with three home runs, 14 RBIs, 17 walks and 77 strikeouts. The Tigers acquired him, along with left-hander Joey Wentz, from the Braves in the 2019 Shane Greene trade.
He went 5-for-26 (.172) with a .273 OBP and a .480 OPS in 18 games in 2020.
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The Tigers have lost four players on waivers this season (five if Schreiber gets picked up): Demeritte, right-hander Anthony Castro (Toronto Blue Jays), outfielder Troy Stokes Jr. (Pittsburgh Pirates) and infielder Sergio Alcantara (Chicago Cubs).
Demeritte is a former first-round pick (No. 30 overall), taken by the Rangers in 2013.
Evan Petzold is a sports reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold.