3 players the Detroit Tigers could replace, and who they should consider using instead
The Detroit Tigers continued their resurgence over the weekend by splitting a series with the best team in the American League. But that couldnโt hide that there are three spots where the team clearly needs to upgrade.
Ranking 22 Detroit Tigers questions we canโt wait to learn the answers to this season
DETROIT โ Even though a playoff race isnโt in the cards for the Detroit Tigers this season, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about this team ahead of Opening Day. READ: Meet all 26 members of the Tigersโ rosterWe came up with 22 questions we canโt wait to learn the answers to over the coming months. Nobody knew who he was when the Tigers selected him in the Rule 5 draft, mostly because he missed the entire 2020 season and hasnโt played above High-A ball. An underrated part of the shortened 2020 season was Sotoโs hot start. Daniel Norris #44 of the Detroit Tigers delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the game at Target Field on September 22, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Meet all 26 members of the Detroit Tigersโ roster -- surprises, spring stats, predicting roles
Spring training stats: .268/.333/.415 (.748 OPS), 1 HR, 3 2B, 4 BB, 9 SO in 18 games. Spring training stats: .225/.250/.400 (.650 OPS), 2 HR, 1 2B, 1 BB, 11 SO in 16 games. Spring training stats: .179/.281/.250 (.531 OPS), 0 HR, 2 2B, 4 BB, 8 SO in 11 games. Spring training stats: .341/.388/.432 (.820 OPS), 0 HR, 2 2B, 3 BB, 6 SO in 18 games. Spring training stats: .319/.360/.596 (.956 OPS), 3 HR, 2 2B, 1 BB, 8 SO in 19 games.
Detroit Tigers reportedly sign starting pitcher Julio Teheran to minor league deal
DETROIT โ The Detroit Tigers have signed veteran starting pitcher Julio Teheran to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training, according to multiple reports. Teheran opted for an NRI deal with the Tigers over a guaranteed deal elsewhere because he got a base of $3M plus $1M in games started incentives. The guaranteed deal was a low base with minimal upside. Teheran is banking on his ability to make the team out of spring training and stick in the rotation. Detroitโs pitchers and catchers reported to spring training in Lakeland earlier this week as they look forward to their first season under manager A.J.
Pressure can be a concern with baseball's top prospects
AJ Hinch's success as Detroit's manager may ultimately hinge on the performance of a few highly regarded prospects. Detroit has five of the game's top 25 prospects, according to MLB Pipeline. Right-hander Casey Mize, the top pick in the 2018 draft, made his big league debut last year and went 0-3 with a 6.99 ERA in seven starts. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)AJ Hinch's success as Detroit's manager may ultimately hinge on the performance of a few highly regarded prospects. It's a little easier to avoid those expectations when a prospect is younger and isn't likely to make the big league roster yet.
Opening Day: Detroit Tigers will open season April 1 vs. Indians at Comerica Park
Manager A.J. Hinch at his Detroit Tigers introductory press conference on Oct. 30, 2020. DETROIT โ The Detroit Tigers will open the 2021 season with a home game against the Cleveland Indians on April 1, MLB announced. Hinch was hired to replace Ron Gardenhire as manager, and the team has made a handful of free agent signings. On Wednesday, the team added some depth by agreeing to minor league deals with Renato Nunez and Greg Garcia.
5 possible Detroit Tigers starting lineups that include 3 new free agent signings
DETROIT โ The Detroit Tigers made a trio of free agent signings over the last month to fill holes in the everyday lineup, but there are still many questions about the starting nine. Cron at first base, Schoop at second base, Jeimer Candelario at third base and Niko Goodrum at shortstop. AdOf his 50 games started last season, Reyes hit leadoff in 34 of them. Isaac Paredes #19 of the Detroit Tigers bats during the Detroit Tigers Summer Workouts at Comerica Park on July 18, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. Whether that means heโll get chances at first base, third base or elsewhere remains to be seen.
Detroit Tigers sign steady veteran outfielder Robbie Grossman to 2-year deal
Robbie Grossman #8 of the Oakland Athletics hits a home run against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning of their second game of a double header at RingCentral Coliseum on September 26, 2020 in Oakland, California. DETROIT โ The Detroit Tigers have signed veteran free agent outfielder Robbie Grossman to a two-year deal, according to reports. Grossman spent the last two seasons with the Oakland Athletics after three years each with the Houston Astros and Minnesota Twins. Robbie Grossmanโs 2-year, $10 million deal with the #Tigers is the largest by a free-agent outfielder in this painfully slow winter. Another night of Detroit sports: Tigers prospect, Pistons top draft pick both injuredGrossman has a career .730 OPS across 2,362 at-bats.
6 new free agents Detroit Tigers should target following non-tender deadline
DETROIT โ Thereโs a new batch of free agents this week after the non-tender deadline, and several of those players would be smart additions for the Detroit Tigers. If the Tigers are aggressive in free agency this offseason, they could find some bargains. Due to the financial losses teams experienced due to the shortened 2020 season and the COVID-19 pandemic, free agents might come at a bit of a discount ahead of 2021. READ: Detroit Tigers hire University of Michiganโs Chris Fetter as new pitching coachIn MLBโs last full season, Schwarber hit 38 home runs and 29 doubles while drawing 70 walks. Now 26, Dahl is coming off a dreadful 2020 season -- if you can even call it a season.
Detroit Tigers tender contracts to 9 players, bringing them back for 2021 season
DETROIT โ The Detroit Tigers tendered contracts to all nine of their arbitration-eligible players Wednesday, meaning they will all return for the 2021 season. READ: Detroit Tigers hire University of Michiganโs Chris Fetter as new pitching coachBy tendering contracts to these players, the Tigers will now negotiate salaries for the 2021 season. Last season, the Tigers won an arbitration hearing with Fulmer, who filed for $3.4 million but ultimately earned $2.8 million for the season. Detroit Tigers pitcher Michael Fulmer throws during an intrasquad baseball game, Wednesday, July 8, 2020, in Detroit. Jeimer Candelario #46 of the Detroit Tigers bats against the Chicago Cubs at Comerica Park on August 26, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan.
Luhnow files $22M breach of contract lawsuit against Astros
Former Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow has filed a breach of contract lawsuit against the team, seeking more than $22 million in salary owed under his deal when he was fired in January. Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch were suspended for the season last Jan. 13 by Manfred and fired by the Astros later that day. The team was fined $5 million and stripped of its first- and second-round draft picks in both 2020 and 2021. The contract called for disputes to go to an arbitration with Manfred or his designee, but Luhnow asked that to be set aside because of Manfredโs involvement. The lawyers say Hinch later told Manfred he failed to disclose to Luhnow the use of electronic equipment.
Detroit Tigers hire University of Michiganโs Chris Fetter as new pitching coach
DETROIT โ The Detroit Tigers have hired Chris Fetter, a โrising starโ in the baseball coaching industry from the University of Michigan, to become their new pitching coach. Fetter replaces Rick Anderson, who was the pitching coach under Ron Gardenhire for a season and a half. The Detroit Tigers today announced Chris Fetter has been named the clubโs Major League Pitching Coach. #DetroitRoots pic.twitter.com/afOKZfXnOw โ Detroit Tigers (@tigers) November 6, 2020โWeโre particularly excited for Chrisโs transition to professional baseball," Tigers general manager Al Avila said. He was the top choice among a number of high-level executives in the #WhiteSox front office for their pitching coach job.
Detroit Tigers prioritize winning with AJ Hinch, whoโs been in almost this exact same spot before
Hinch took over the Houston Astros, they were one year removed from three straight 100-loss seasons and hadnโt been to the playoffs in a long, long time. Tigers similaritiesItโs almost stunning how much the current Tigers mirror the situation Hinch inherited in Houston. 3 overall pickThe only recent top draft pick for the Astros who debuted before Hinch arrived was Springer in 2014. Right before Hinch got to Houston, the team took a noticeable step forward by going 70-92 in 2014. Theyโve also turned those struggles into high draft picks and now have money to spend.
Fresh off suspension, Hinch takes over as Tigers manager
FILE - In this Oct. 15, 2019, file photo, Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch (14) reaches for a ball before Game 3 of baseball's American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees in New York. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)DETROIT โ As he waited out his suspension this year, AJ Hinch knew he wanted to return to baseball. It was Detroit general manager Al Avila, telling Hinch to get on a plane. In January, Major League Baseball suspended Hinch and Astros GM Jeff Luhnow for the season and the Astros immediately fired both. Hinch is 570-452 as a major league manager.
Detroit Tigers hire former Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch to same position
DETROIT โ The Detroit Tigers have hired former Houston Astros manager A.J. The Detroit Tigers today named A.J. pic.twitter.com/AHALJU1wGw โ Detroit Tigers (@tigers) October 30, 2020โIโd like to thank Chris Ilitch and Al Avila for giving me a chance and the opportunity to get back in the dugout to lead this historic ball club,โ Hinch said. When Hinch took over in Houston, the Astros were in a very similar situation to the current Tigers. is the best man for this job as we strive to bring a World Series Championship back to the city of Detroit.โRebuild nearing end?
LEADING OFF: Rays thwart Yankees, seek revenge vs Astros
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow celebrates after Game 5 of the baseball team's AL Division Series against the New York Yankees, Friday, Oct. 9, 2020, in San Diego. Tampa Bay won 2-1 to advance to the AL Championship Series. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:___REVENGE RAYSThe Tampa Bay Rays have more revenge in mind heading to the AL Championship Series. FINAL PREPARATIONSBaseball's postseason gets a full day off from games before the AL Championship Series opens Sunday. Tickets are already sold out for the opener of the neutral-site NL Championship Series between the Braves and Dodgers, although plenty are available on the secondary market.
LEADING OFF: Marlins, Pads advance, all Division Series set
San Diego Padres pose for a photo after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 4-0 in Game 3 of a National League wild-card baseball series Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, in San Diego. First-year San Diego manager Jayce Tingler used nine pitchers, the most employed in a nine-inning shutout in any big league game since 1901. Next up is the Division Series, and all four matchups are intradivision -- AL West vs. NL West and AL East vs. NL East. New York hasnโt visited the San Diego ballpark since 2016. Detroit general manager Al Avila says the team isnโt ruling out the possibility of hiring Hinch or Cora for its managerial vacancy.
'It's over now' - Astros eager to put scandal behind them
HOUSTON The Houston Astros spent the offseason reeling from a sign-stealing scandal that cost manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow their jobs. The change didnt stop the Astros from being the villains of baseball this spring. The Astros are preparing for the possibility of being without designated hitter Yordan Alvarez for the start of the season and potentially longer. The Astros are counting on McCullers to have a big season in his return after missing last season following Tommy John surgery. Tucker, who can play outfield and first base, has appeared in just 50 MLB games over the past two seasons.