Tigers sign former Phillies outfielder to one-year, $3.255 million deal originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Detroit Tigers are reportedly re-signing a veteran outfielder to a $3.255 million deal this offseason.

Andy Ibáñez provided the key pinch-hit that lifted the Tigers past the Astros and into the AL Division Series a year ago. He’s now a free agent after the Tigers did not tender the veteran infielder a contract by Friday’s deadline.

Ibáñez spent his past three seasons in Detroit, and overall in his career, he has slashed .254/.305/.389 with 28 home runs and 128 RBIs across 420 games. Ibáñez isn't likely to have a hard time finding a new home, but it is unfortunate seeing him leave the Tigers. However, his time in Detroit will not be forgotten. As Jason Beck of MLB.com wrote:

DETROIT — When Matt Vierling stepped to the plate in the eighth inning Friday night, he had a grand total of zero home runs this season. His average was mired at .224. Vierling had been stuck in the throes of struggle after missing nearly the entire ...

And in Detroit’s case, the 2025–26 arbitration window offered a pretty clear look at how the Tigers plan to shape the roster going forward. Detroit locked in three key players before the deadline, headlined by catcher Jake Rogers,

Detroit secures key players for 2026, re-signs a veteran outfielder, avoids arbitration, and trims the roster to 39 spots.