The Detroit Tigers announced a small roster move on Wednesday, saying that outfielder Anthony Gose has cleared waivers.
OF Anthony Gose has cleared waivers and he has been outrighted to Triple A Toledo.
— Tigers PR (@DetroitTigersPR) January 25, 2017
Gose was removed from the 40-man roster after the team acquired outfielder Mikie Mahtook from Tampa Bay earlier this month. Mahtook, along with fellow youngster JaCoby Jones and versatile outfielder Tyler Collins, figure to be the leading candidates to start in center field on Opening Day for Detroit.
Because Gose had never been outrighted in his big league career, he did not have the option to decline the move and elect free agency. It does come as a surprise, as many thought Detroit would simply cut him and remove him from the organization. However, the move shows that they are willing to give Gose another chance.
Despite a very poor and tumultuous season in 2016, Gose is very much a part of the battle for starting center fielder in 2017 for the Tigers, joining the names previously mentioned. It is worth noting that Gose is one of four Tigers on the 40-man roster that are “out of options” for 2017 season. Meaning, if Gose does not make the big league club out of spring training, he would have to go through waivers again before either accepting the minor league assignment or electing free agency. Tyler Collins is in that same boat of being out of options.
