BREAKING: 2 former Tigers dominating with their new teams in 2025, 2 who are struggling
As the Detroit Tigers continue their rise from a rebuilding franchise to a legitimate playoff contender, they’ve parted ways with several players in the process of reshaping their core. While a few of those former Tigers are now excelling in new environments, others are still trying to find their form—or falling further behind.
Here’s a look at two ex-Tigers enjoying breakout years and two who are struggling in 2025.
Thriving:
Carson Kelly – Catcher, Chicago Cubs
Carson Kelly was a reliable veteran presence for the Tigers during their transition phase, sharing catching duties with Jake Rogers. Though he never lived up to his top-prospect billing from his days with the Diamondbacks, Kelly remained a steady defensive catcher with flashes of offensive potential.
After being traded to Texas last year and signing with the Cubs in the offseason, Kelly has taken off. In 28 games with Chicago, he’s slashing an eye-popping .299/.436/.632 with eight home runs and a 194 wRC+—by far the best of his career. Even if regression is likely, Kelly is on track for a career year. For Detroit, the sting is softened by Dillon Dingler’s promising start as the club’s catcher of the future.
Shelby Miller – Reliever, Arizona Diamondbacks
Once a top pitching prospect, Shelby Miller’s career has been derailed by injuries—including Tommy John surgery—and inconsistency. After a strong yet injury-shortened 2023 with the Dodgers, Miller joined the Tigers but struggled with control and home runs.
Detroit let him walk in the offseason, but now back in Arizona, he’s looked revitalized. Miller’s velocity has jumped to 95 mph—his highest since before surgery—and he’s been stellar out of the bullpen with a 1.45 ERA over nearly 19 innings. While Detroit’s bullpen has held strong without him, Miller’s resurgence has been impressive.
Struggling:
Gio Urshela – Third Baseman, Oakland Athletics
Gio Urshela once looked like a breakout star with the Yankees but has since become a journeyman. He had a forgettable stint with the Tigers in 2024, hitting just .243 with little power. After a brief boost with Atlanta, Urshela signed with Oakland hoping for a fresh start.
However, his decline has continued in 2025. In 30 games, he’s batting just .226/.273/.344 with zero home runs. Despite Detroit’s continued search for a long-term solution at third base, it’s clear Urshela would not have filled that gap.
Andrew Chafin – Reliever, Washington Nationals
Fan-favorite Andrew Chafin returned to Detroit on a minor league deal but didn’t make the big-league roster out of spring training. He later signed with the Nationals, where his 1.69 ERA in 5⅓ innings looks solid at first glance.
Dig deeper, though, and the concerns mount. Chafin has a 2.25 WHIP, walking as many hitters as he strikes out, and giving up more than a hit per inning. His fastball velocity has dipped to 90.5 mph—down from his career average. Unless he corrects his control issues and regains some velocity, his surface-level success may not last.
In summary, while Detroit has seen a few former players blossom elsewhere, others have proven the Tigers were right to move on. With the club surging toward October, it’s a reminder that letting go of the right pieces can be just as important as acquiring the right ones.
