Austin Meadows Traded to Tigers from Rays for Isaac Paredes, Draft Pick

In exchange for AustinMeadows, the Detroit Tigers got infielder Isaac Paredes and a Competitive Balance Round B draft pick in 2022, the team announced Monday.

He had spent the last three-and-a-half seasons in Tampa Bay after beginning his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The move doesn't come as a surprise since The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported thatMeadows was getting prominent mention in trade talks. Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer said that the Philadelphia Phillies inquired about the outfielder.

He slashed.235/.315/.458 with 27 home runs and 106RBI in 142 games in the 2021 season. He split his time between left field and designated hitter, but the Rays have a little more flexibility in the years to come, leaving him as a possible trade candidate.

With an outfielders of Randy Arozarena, Kevin Kiermaier, and Manuel Margot, and a designated hitter in Austin Meadows, the Rays could use Harold or Yandy as their designated hitter.

The Tigers needed more depth in the outfielders with Akil Baddoo,Derek Hill andRobbie Grossman currently first on the depth chart. It is possible that Detroit can shift Baddoo to center and put Meadows in left.

He will make $4 million in 2022. He has two years to resolve his disputes.

Paredes can play a number of positions. He slashed.208/.302/.319 with one home run and five runs in 23 games last season. It is not clear how he will fit into a group that includes Brandon Lowe, David and Wander Franco.