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Detroit Tigers avoid arbitration on one-year contract with Zach McKinstry

Posted on by L. Dreeye
Detroit Tigers avoid arbitration on one-year contract with Zach McKinstry

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The Detroit Tigers are bringing back Zach McKinstry.

McKinstry, a 29-year-old who played college baseball at Central Michigan and spent the past two seasons in Detroit, avoided arbitration with the Tigers by signing a $1.65 million contract through 2025, according to a person familiar with the agreement.

McKinstry was set to enter his first round of salary arbitration as he will remain under team control through the 2027 season.

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In 2024, McKinstry hit .215 with four home runs, 24 walks and 69 strikeouts in 118 games. He struggled in his first 74 games, hitting .175 with a .520 OPS, but he switched over in his final 44 games, hitting .287 with a .776 OPS.

McKinstry also hit .429 (3-for-7) with two doubles, one homer, one walk and zero strikeouts in five postseason games spanning nine appearances.

The Tigers value McKinstry – a left-handed hitter with no minor league options left – because he is at least an average defender at two outfield positions and three infield positions, including shortstop.

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McKinstry had a .225 batting average, an 8.1% walk rate, a 21.6% strikeout rate and a .638 OPS during his tenure with the Tigers from 2023-24. The Tigers acquired him from the Chicago Cubs (in exchange for minor league pitcher Carlos Guzman) in a March 2023 trade.

He was worth 1.0 fWAR in 2023 and 1.1 fWAR in 2024.

Until he is traded, McKinstry will play as a utility player for the Tigers in 2025, as he did in 2023 and 2024. It’s worth noting that his playing time has dropped significantly, from 518 plate appearances in 2023 to 325 plate appearances in 2024.

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McKinstry earned $764,400 in 2024, meaning he received an $886,000 raise on his $1.65 million salary in 2025.

His new salary is fully guaranteed.

What’s next?

The Tigers still need to offer contracts to eight other arbitration-eligible players with a deadline of 8 p.m. Friday: Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize, Jake Rogers, Will West, Jason Foley, Matt Vierling, Andy Ibanez and Beau Briske.

If there is no application, the player immediately becomes a free agent. If offered, the player and team must agree on a salary by Jan. 9 to avoid an arbitration hearing in February.

Essentially, the Tigers and McKinstry simply took care of all their business before most others.

Contact or follow Evan Petzold at [email protected]. @EvanPetzold.

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