2025-2026 Tigers Off Season Thread

[gehringer_2]

2 hours ago, Sports_Freak said:

It seems like Harris is pretty good at building bullpens for Hinch to use. The bullpen was a major reason the Tigers made the playoffs in 2024 and standing pat on questionable arms isn't the best idea. Turnover seems to work best, while a solid bullpen is the difference in a playoff team and a bottom feeding team, building a bullpen is such a crapshoot.

It is a little interesting that they had Goldberg throw the cold water on him last week rather than it being Harris. Easier walk back if it wasn't the boss? 😉

Edited Saturday at 07:23 PM by gehringer_2

[papalawrence]

Was thinking, had Foley and Lange been non-tendered by another team, I could see Harris inquiring, viewing them as Fetter projects

[Tiger337]

3 hours ago, gehringer_2 said:

It is a little interesting that they had Goldberg throw the cold water on him last week rather than it being Harris. Easier walk back if it wasn't the boss? 😉

I don't know what was said, but it seems traditional for management not to suggest that a rookie has a good chance to make the opening day roster.  

[Sports_Freak]

8 minutes ago, Tiger337 said:

I don't know what was said, but it seems traditional for management not to suggest that a rookie has a good chance to make the opening day roster.  

Unless they sign him to a long term contract like they did with Colt.

[Edman85]

1 hour ago, Sports_Freak said:

Unless they sign him to a long term contract like they did with Colt.

Just want to point out that if they do that before his debut, it makes him ineligible for the PPI pick. Given McGonigle's prospect status, he's a lot more likely to make that a big deal.

[gehringer_2]

4 hours ago, Tiger337 said:

I don't know what was said, but it seems traditional for management not to suggest that a rookie has a good chance to make the opening day roster.  

here are all Goldberg's quotes pulled from Petzold's column in the Freep:
 

Quote

I think it's premature to have that conversation,..(making the team in ST)

...There's still more development there,...It's not necessarily a commentary on Kevin, but it's just a commentary on the realities of how hard it is to make that transition and the importance that we foster that environment to put these guys in the best position possible."...

...We saw it with Kevin and Max going from A-ball to Double-A, It's a faster game as you move up. Kevin at the shortstop position, that transition, that faster pace of play, he had to make some adjustments."

.....The importance of reps at each level is part of that development path, That extension from Double-A to Triple-A, getting those reps is part of that development runway to create that environment where we put him in the best position possible to have success when he is in the big leagues."

"We view him as a shortstop, We feel like he has the attributes and the motor to play there, but we've gotten him reps at third base for a reason. As an organization, that versatility is something we're going to continue to value."...

"He's put himself in a position to be considered as a real contributor at some point in 2026, We're still going to prioritize his development to make sure we put him in the best position possible to have success. It was just over 200 plate appearances in Double-A."

 

Edited yesterday at 03:52 AM by gehringer_2

[papalawrence]

Per Rosenthal Detroit is interested in Helsley as a SP. 

[Tiger337]

18 minutes ago, papalawrence said:

Per Rosenthal Detroit is interested in Helsley as a SP. 

That is fine.  It could work.  I just hope that is not going to be their big off-season signing.  

[casimir]

On 11/20/2025 at 9:07 AM, Tigermojo said:

Driveway drainage systems.

Leaves on the driveway.  Rake or broom?

[gehringer_2]

24 minutes ago, papalawrence said:

Per Rosenthal Detroit is interested in Helsley as a SP. 

Wha? Ryan Helsley?  Have I got the wrong guy? 31 yrs old, has never started, sort of fell apart as reliever after trade to the Mets last season. In what universe is that a potential starter?

[gehringer_2]

2 minutes ago, casimir said:

Leaves on the driveway.  Rake or broom?

Blower

[casimir]

On 11/20/2025 at 9:34 AM, chasfh said:

You can’t go wrong with Carroll Shelby straight up, right from the package.

My dad became a chili connoisseur during his trip on the back nine, and would make it to the printed recipe. When my wife and I were driving Route 66, we were at the Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, TX and I had a cup of their chili, and it was almost a carbon copy of my dad’s Carroll Shelby’s. I told the cafe people this, and they seemed borderline offended by the idea! Whoops!

There! Are there enough old man markers in that post for you? 😁

I’ve done the Carroll Shelby mix before.  I usually use Wick Fowler’s 2 Alarm Chili Spice mix.  The spice mix is just one variable.

• 1 lb ground beef, browned
• 1 lb ground sausage, browned
• 1 lb frozen fajita vegetable mix
• 1 15 oz can each of black beans, dark red kidney beans, and light red kidney beans, all drained
• 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1 small can Rotel diced tomatoes and jalapeños
• 1 bottle of tomato juice

Get it all in the crock pot by 11am and dinner is set.

That’s what I do.  I suspect chili is a lot like religion and politics for most people.  They like what they like and it’s hard to sway people from their preference.

[casimir]

4 minutes ago, gehringer_2 said:

Blower

Lazy.

[casimir]

On 11/20/2025 at 10:49 AM, Dan Gilmore said:

It’s going to be a long off season…

I just gave you a chili recipe.  You’re welcome.

[Dan Gilmore]

Thanks, Cas. I made a batch yesterday. What is this thing you call a recipe?

[casimir]

9 minutes ago, Dan Gilmore said:

Thanks, Cas. I made a batch yesterday. What is this thing you call a recipe?

OK, OK, if you prefer, we can call it a bill of materials.

[Tigermojo]

38 minutes ago, casimir said:

Leaves on the driveway.  Rake or broom?

Leaf sucker upper.

[IdahoBert]

1 hour ago, gehringer_2 said:

Wha? Ryan Helsley?  Have I got the wrong guy? 31 yrs old, has never started, sort of fell apart as reliever after trade to the Mets last season. In what universe is that a potential starter?

Rosenthal has got to stop posting stuff when he’s drunk. 

[casimir]

1 minute ago, IdahoBert said:

Rosenthal has got to stop posting stuff when he’s drunk. 

That’s no fun.

[Tenacious D]

1 hour ago, casimir said:

I’ve done the Carroll Shelby mix before.  I usually use Wick Fowler’s 2 Alarm Chili Spice mix.  The spice mix is just one variable.

• 1 lb ground beef, browned
• 1 lb ground sausage, browned
• 1 lb frozen fajita vegetable mix
• 1 15 oz can each of black beans, dark red kidney beans, and light red kidney beans, all drained
• 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1 small can Rotel diced tomatoes and jalapeños
• 1 bottle of tomato juice

Get it all in the crock pot by 11am and dinner is set.

That’s what I do.  I suspect chili is a lot like religion and politics for most people.  They like what they like and it’s hard to sway people from their preference.

Think this would with with chorizo, too?  I don’t think I’ve ever had it in a chili.

[chasfh]

14 hours ago, casimir said:

I’ve done the Carroll Shelby mix before.  I usually use Wick Fowler’s 2 Alarm Chili Spice mix.  The spice mix is just one variable.

• 1 lb ground beef, browned
• 1 lb ground sausage, browned
• 1 lb frozen fajita vegetable mix
• 1 15 oz can each of black beans, dark red kidney beans, and light red kidney beans, all drained
• 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1 small can Rotel diced tomatoes and jalapeños
• 1 bottle of tomato juice

Get it all in the crock pot by 11am and dinner is set.

That’s what I do.  I suspect chili is a lot like religion and politics for most people.  They like what they like and it’s hard to sway people from their preference.

Boo kidney beans. 😉

[oblong]

Texas purists insist that chili does not have beans and I wholeheartedly agree with them... and I use the Carrol Shelby mix as well.  

[Edman85]

14 hours ago, casimir said:

I’ve done the Carroll Shelby mix before.  I usually use Wick Fowler’s 2 Alarm Chili Spice mix.  The spice mix is just one variable.

• 1 lb ground beef, browned
• 1 lb ground sausage, browned
• 1 lb frozen fajita vegetable mix
• 1 15 oz can each of black beans, dark red kidney beans, and light red kidney beans, all drained
• 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1 small can Rotel diced tomatoes and jalapeños
• 1 bottle of tomato juice

Get it all in the crock pot by 11am and dinner is set.

That’s what I do.  I suspect chili is a lot like religion and politics for most people.  They like what they like and it’s hard to sway people from their preference.

If there is one thing I have learned it is that clock pots are terrible for chili or most things. Rationale here, and it tracks with my experimentation and observation.

https://www.seriouseats.com/why-pressure-cookers-are-better-than-slow-cookers

Next up: canned diced tomatoes are extra tough and don't cook down well. Canned whole chopped up is better in soups and chilies. Rotel's okay in a pinch because you have the peppers. I just prefer sauteeing some peppers and onions early on.

Another Kenji tip I do is make paste from dried chiles to add in lieu of chili powder. I also rarely use pre made seasoning mixes and just make my own. All you need is some combo of chili power/paste, oregano, paprika, cumin, and maybe garlic power (but fresh is better). Depends on the chili though...

My $0.02 from years of trying to perfect things in the kitchen.

 

Edited 2 hours ago by Edman85

[IdahoBert]

I like chili, flatscreen TVs, and the use of leaf blowers - while wearing protective ear gear - as much as anybody, but when it comes to bold moves from the Detroit Tigers front office:

[Tigermojo]

5 minutes ago, IdahoBert said:

I like chili, flatscreen TVs, and the use of leaf blowers - while wearing protective ear gear - as much as anybody, but when it comes to bold moves from the Detroit Tigers front office:

Best I can do is a driveway picture.