In a move that has insiders buzzing, the Detroit Tigers have reportedly swooped in to claim outfielder James Outman off waivers from the Minnesota Twins. The transaction, announced Thursday, is being viewed by analysts as a low-risk gamble with potentially massive upside — especially for a team that’s been struggling to find any consistency in 2026.
Sources close to the situation say Outman, who turned 29 earlier this year, was designated for assignment by the Twins after a brutal start to the season. In 49 games with Minnesota, he slashed a meager .156/.229/.250 across 70 plate appearances. But here’s what has some scouts sharpening their pencils: just three years ago, Outman was the talk of the National League.
In 2023, Outman finished third in Rookie of the Year voting with the Los Angeles Dodgers, posting a solid .248/.353/.437 line and crushing 23 home runs. He looked like a future cornerstone, a guy who could anchor a lineup for years. But since that breakout campaign, his production has fallen off a cliff — and no one, not even the most optimistic talent evaluators, seems to have a clear answer why.
“There’s still raw ability there,” one former MLB scout told us on the condition of anonymity. “But something’s off mentally. He’s pressing, maybe trying too hard to recapture that rookie magic. Detroit might be the perfect place for him to reset without the pressure of a big-market circus.”
The Tigers, currently sitting at 29-40 and in fourth place in the American League Central, are reportedly looking for any kind of spark. They’re eight games back of the division-leading Chicago White Sox, and the fan base is growing restless. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Outman, the organization transferred veteran infielder Javier Baez to the 60-day injured list — a move that some insiders say is more about freeing up roster flexibility than reflecting Baez’s actual health status.
Could Outman be the answer? That’s the question everyone in Detroit is asking. On Thursday afternoon, the Tigers pounded the Twins 11-0 in what feels like a glimmer of life for a team that’s been flatlining for weeks. Now, with Outman in the fold, the hope is that he can rediscover his stroke and become a legitimate run producer.
“If he finds his rhythm, he could be a difference-maker,” a team insider reportedly said. “The talent has never been the question. It’s about getting out of his own head.”
Detroit heads to Cleveland on Friday to open a three-game series against the Guardians. First pitch at Progressive Field is scheduled for 7:10 PM EST. All eyes will be on the lineup card to see if Outman makes his Tigers debut — and whether he can finally start living up to the promise that once had him pegged as the Dodgers’ next big thing.
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