Former Phillies outfielder who once crushed Mets lands minor league deal with Tigers

A former Philadelphia Phillies outfielder is officially off the free agent market after signing with an American League contender ahead of the 2026 season. The Detroit Tigers have agreed to terms with Cal Stevenson on a minor-league contract, adding some much-needed depth and insurance to their outfield. Stevenson has been assigned to the Toledo Mud Hens, the Tigers' Triple-A affiliate.

Stevenson, 28, spent the last two and a half seasons with the Phillies organization and spent a majority of his time at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He was a major contributor to the IronPigs in 2024 when he hit .302 with eight home runs and 44 RBIs in 101 games. He appeared in just 23 games in Philadelphia at the major league level between 2024 and 2025, hitting .250 with eight hits in 32 at-bats. 

Phillies fans will always remember the 'Cal Stevenson game' after he joins the Tigers

Stevenson is perhaps best known by Phillies fans for his memorable late-season heroics against the New York Mets in 2024. On Sept. 14, 2024, Stevenson played a huge role in a 6-4 Phillies win as he hit the go-ahead two-run double in the seventh inning and took away a potential game-tying home run from J.D. Martinez with an impressive leaping catch.

The Phillies went on to take two out of the three games against the Mets in that series, which proved to be critical as they captured their first NL East crown since 2011. Heading into the 2025 campaign, he was optioned to Lehigh Valley and appeared in just five more games at the major league level before he was released on Aug. 17. 

Overall, throughout his major league career, Stevenson has played in 52 games with the Phillies, San Francisco Giants, and Oakland Athletics between 2022 and 2025. He was originally drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 10th round of the 2018 draft and bounced around several minor league systems before finding his footing with the Athletics in 2022, where he appeared in a career-high 23 games.

Stevenson will join former Phillies outfielder Matt Vierling to provide depth at a position where the Tigers have some uncertainty heading into the 2026 season. There is no word that he has received an invitation to spring training, but if he plays at a high level in the minor leagues, he has a chance to make an impact once again.