The Detroit Tigers have added some championship experience to their organization, signing veteran right-handed reliever Carl Edwards Jr. to a minor-league contract. The 34-year-old, who earned a World Series ring with the 2016 Chicago Cubs, will report to Triple-A Toledo, reuniting with familiar faces in the Tigers' front office—Scott Harris, Jeff Greenberg, and Alex Smith—all of whom were part of the Cubs' championship-winning infrastructure.
Edwards, a 12-year MLB veteran, most recently pitched for the New York Mets in 2026, making two appearances and allowing one run over six innings while striking out 11 batters. His journey to Detroit came after a whirlwind few weeks: the Mets selected his contract on April 24, designated him for assignment on April 30, and he elected free agency after clearing waivers on May 3. Just five days later, he inked his deal with the Tigers.
Before his brief Mets stint, Edwards posted a 5.29 ERA with 13 strikeouts and 11 walks across 17 innings in four starts for Triple-A Syracuse. Known for a three-pitch arsenal—four-seam fastball, curveball, and changeup—he brings a track record of dominance when healthy. Over his career, Edwards owns a 3.51 ERA with an elite 28.3% strikeout rate (well above average) and a 12.7% walk rate (below average), spanning 292 innings across 302 big-league games.
His career has taken him to nine teams, including the Cubs (2015–2019), San Diego Padres (2019, 2024), Seattle Mariners (2020), Atlanta Braves (2021), Toronto Blue Jays (2021), Washington Nationals (2022–2023), Los Angeles Angels (2025), Texas Rangers (2025), and Mets (2026). The bulk of his workload came in Chicago (174⅓ innings over five seasons) and Washington (93⅔ innings across two seasons).
Edwards' signature moment came in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, when he recorded the first two outs of the 10th inning for the Cubs against the Cleveland Guardians, helping secure the franchise's first championship in 108 years. While he allowed one run in that inning, his resilience and big-game experience are exactly what the Tigers hope can bolster their bullpen depth as they develop their young core. For fans looking to rep their favorite players, keep an eye on Edwards' journey in Detroit—his veteran savvy could make for a great story, and maybe a jersey addition down the line.