Former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder James Outman was designated for assignment by the Minnesota Twins a few days ago, but he was now claimed by a team on waivers.
Outman was traded to the Twins for right-hander Brock Stewart in a deal that has aged wonderfully for the Dodgers, as the outfielder has failed to hit anywhere near league average.
He was put on waivers less than a year after he was traded to Minnesota, but he has found a new home and gets a chance to stay with a major league team — Outman was claimed by the Detroit Tigers.
The Tigers are a sputtering team, looking for production from position players anywhere that they can get it, meaning Outman should get a chance.
Outman hit .248/.353/.437 while playing in the outfield and hitting 23 home runs during his best year with the Dodgers, coming on as such a young player.
His speed and defense make him a valuable backup to have on a roster, but he needs to be around league average as a hitter to really keep a roster spot for a consistent period of time or get back on track as a rising player.
What is James Outman’s Dodgers legacy?
Outman will always be celebrated as a success story in the development of the farm system. He came in and gave the outfield life.
He worked very hard and put his head down throughout his time. While he lost his swing and confidence, along with facing the pressure of playing for a contender at such a young age, Outman took the trade in stride after the fact.
“To say the last seven years were fun would be a huge understatement. The people I’ve met along the way have helped me grow into the player — and man — that my 12-year-old self would be proud of. It was a dream come true to debut with the team that drafted me, and I’ll forever be grateful to the Dodgers for the opportunity they gave me. I was truly proud to wear Dodger Blue every night,” Outman wrote.
“To the fans, my teammates, and coaches — thank you. I’ll miss you all deeply. While it’s hard to say goodbye, I’m incredibly thankful for every moment we shared. Now, I’m beyond excited to start this next chapter with the Twins . I promise to give my best every single day and represent Minneapolis with everything I’ve got. God Bless.”
