In a move that's sure to spark debate among Tigers fans, Justyn-Henry Malloy's time in Detroit has come to an end. But why? And was it the right call?
The Detroit Tigers have officially signed veteran reliever Kyle Finnegan to a two-year, $19 million contract, solidifying their bullpen for the upcoming seasons. This move, previously reported, became official this past Saturday.
The deal isn't just for two years, though. It cleverly includes a mutual option for the 2028 season, valued at $10 million, with a $2.250 million buyout. This gives both Finnegan and the Tigers some flexibility down the road. Finnegan, who will be 34 this season, is set to earn $8.75 million in 2026 and $8 million in 2027. Beyond the base salary, Finnegan has the potential to earn an additional $500,000 each year through performance bonuses. Specifically, he'll receive $125,000 for each milestone he reaches: 40, 45, 50, and 55 games finished. This incentivizes him to be a reliable, go-to guy in high-pressure situations.
But here's where it gets controversial... To make room for Finnegan on the 40-man roster, the Tigers made the difficult decision to designate outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy for assignment (DFA). This essentially means Malloy is being removed from the team's 40-man roster, and other teams have the opportunity to claim him. If no team claims him within a certain timeframe, the Tigers could assign him to their minor league system, trade him, or release him.
Malloy, who turns 26 in February, arrived in Detroit in December 2022 as part of a trade that sent reliever Joe Jimenez to the Atlanta Braves. He showed promise in the minor leagues, particularly at the Triple-A level, where he posted an impressive .902 OPS over four seasons. He finally got his chance to debut with the Tigers in 2024.
And this is the part most people miss... While Malloy excelled in Triple-A, his production didn't translate to the major league level. In limited appearances over two seasons, he hit .209 with nine home runs, and a concerning 32.8% strikeout rate. The Tigers primarily utilized him as a specialist against left-handed pitchers, where he showed some success, posting an .820 OPS. However, his slugging percentage against lefties was a more modest .423, indicating limited power.
The question now becomes: Was designating Malloy the right move? Some fans will argue that he deserved more time to develop at the major league level, especially given his minor league track record. Others will point to his high strikeout rate and lack of consistent production as justification for the decision. Was it premature to give up on a young player who showed flashes of potential? Or was it a necessary move to strengthen the bullpen and improve the team's chances of competing? What do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
