Baseball Players who Played for Tigers and Cubs
There is a good chance that if you’ve found this page then you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
That also means that today’s grid has asked for players that have played for both the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs.
And, it also means that you’re probably stuck on this particular box and you’re looking for a little help. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, you’re in the right place.
I’ve done some research and have found players who played for both the Tigers and the Cubs.
Popular Choices
Guys in this tier are likely to be popular picks because of a combination of the impact they made on both teams and/or how recently they’ve played in both uniforms.
Javier Baez
Javier Baez is in his 10th year in the majors and his 2nd year playing in the infield with the Tigers. He has also played for the Cubs and the Mets.
Baez is a 2x All-Star (Cubs) and has been awarded both a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger (both with Cubs) for his performances in the field and at the plate.
*Baez was previously the most popular pick for this square (Grid 105).
Nick Castellanos
Nick Castellanos made his MLB debut with the Detroit Tigers in 2013, where he spent the first 7 seasons of his career. In Detroit, he developed into a reliable source of power and run production.
In 2019, Castellanos was traded to the Chicago Cubs, where he had a strong finish to the season, hitting .321 with 16 home runs in just 51 games. Following this stint with the Cubs, he’s continued on to the Reds and now the Phillies and continues to improve as his career progresses.
Up to this point, he has been awarded multiple accolades, including being named an All-Star twice and winning a Silver Slugger award.
Castellanos Key Stats
- All-Star (Reds, Phillies)
- Silver Slugger (Reds)
- 100+ RBI Season (Tigers, Reds)
Rare Choices
Players at this level are generally well-remembered for one team but not necessarily both.
Carlos Pena
Carlos Peña, who played from 2001 to 2014, made his mark as a first baseman primarily with the Tampa Bay Rays. However, Pena also had stops at 7 other clubs including the Tigers, Rangers, Royals, Red Sox, A’s, Cubs and Astros.
Known for his power-hitting ability, Peña accumulated over 1100 hits, 286 home runs and went over 100 RBIs 3 times in a season (Rays). He had a standout season in 2007, when he hit .282 with 46 homers and 121 RBIs, earning him the Silver Slugger Award and Comeback Player of the Year honors.
Pena won a Gold Glove in 2008 and was also an All-Star in 2009 (both with Rays).
Matt Stairs
Matt Stairs had a lengthy Major League career that spanned from 1992 to 2011, during which he played for 12 different teams, essentially making him an Immaculate Grid Hall-of-Famer.
Known for his power-hitting abilities, primarily as a pinch-hitter, he hit 265 home runs over his career and holds the record for the most pinch-hit home runs in MLB history with 23. Stairs had a career batting average of .262 with an OPS of .832, and recorded 899 RBIs.
Notably, in the 2008 postseason with the Philadelphia Phillies, he hit one of the most famous home runs in Phillies history, helping the team move onto the World Series that year.
