Collins was released from his minor-league deal after hitting .132/.242/.132 through his first 18 games for Triple-A Omaha. The 27-year-old has hit .235/.299/.380 in 183 career major-league games.

An intercostal issue kept Collins sidelined for the final two weeks of the 2017 season, but he's back at full health after taking the offseason to rest and recover. The 27-year-old is vying for an Opening Day role as a reserve outfielder for his new team, though he could spend the year as organizational depth given his unremarkable .235/.299/.380 career slash line over parts of four major-league seasons.

Collins split time between Triple-A Toledo and Detroit last season, slashing a respectable .288/.358/.462 for the Mud Hens but struggling to a .193/.278/.333 line with the Tigers. The 27-year-old has seen major-league action with the Tigers in each of the previous four seasons, but his lackluster .235/.299/.380 slash line over that stretch will likely limit him to an organizational depth role in 2018.

Collins saw regular playing time in the outfield to start the season in place of the injured J.D. Martinez, but he was sent back to the minors after hitting just .200/.288/.338 in 40 games. He earned a September promotion but failed to improve at the plate, ending his season with a .193/.278/.333 line in 169 plate appearances for the big club. Seeing as he passed through waivers unclaimed during the 2017 season, he'll likely settle for a minor-league deal for next year.