2025-2026 Tigers Off Season Thread

[TcFlint]

Yikes!  I go to one thread and they are talking 1950-60 TV’s, here?  Chilli.  For the record, not that anyone here cares, but I wouldn’t mind Helsley and his 100-102 heater as a reliever, but not a converted starter.

Edited Tuesday at 12:51 AM by TcFlint

[Tiger337]

Maybe Helsley can be the new Juan Bernguer.  

[4hzglory]

From the Athletic, it sounds like Tatsuya Imai wants to carve out his own place apart from the Dodgers.

 

“Of course, I’d enjoy playing alongside Ohtani, Yamamoto and Sasaki,” Imai told the former Boston Red Sox and New York Mets starter, “But winning against a team like that and becoming a World Champion would be the most valuable thing in my life. If anything, I’d rather take them down.”

 

“If there were another Japanese player on the same team, I could just ask them about anything, right?” Imai said. “But that’s actually not what I’m looking for. In a way, I want to experience that sense of survival. When I come face-to-face with cultural differences, I want to see how I can overcome them on my own — that’s part of what I’m excited about.”

 

Maybe Harris will make a push for him?

[IdahoBert]

<Crickets>

[gehringer_2]

24 minutes ago, 4hzglory said:

From the Athletic, it sounds like Tatsuya Imai wants to carve out his own place apart from the Dodgers.

 

“Of course, I’d enjoy playing alongside Ohtani, Yamamoto and Sasaki,” Imai told the former Boston Red Sox and New York Mets starter, “But winning against a team like that and becoming a World Champion would be the most valuable thing in my life. If anything, I’d rather take them down.”

 

“If there were another Japanese player on the same team, I could just ask them about anything, right?” Imai said. “But that’s actually not what I’m looking for. In a way, I want to experience that sense of survival. When I come face-to-face with cultural differences, I want to see how I can overcome them on my own — that’s part of what I’m excited about.”

 

Maybe Harris will make a push for him?

That's an easy sentiment to express while you're on the Dodger with those guys. Will he still feel that way after 6mo in the midwest where he'll be hard pressed to find decent Sake?

[Tiger337]

29 minutes ago, 4hzglory said:

From the Athletic, it sounds like Tatsuya Imai wants to carve out his own place apart from the Dodgers.

 

“Of course, I’d enjoy playing alongside Ohtani, Yamamoto and Sasaki,” Imai told the former Boston Red Sox and New York Mets starter, “But winning against a team like that and becoming a World Champion would be the most valuable thing in my life. If anything, I’d rather take them down.”

 

“If there were another Japanese player on the same team, I could just ask them about anything, right?” Imai said. “But that’s actually not what I’m looking for. In a way, I want to experience that sense of survival. When I come face-to-face with cultural differences, I want to see how I can overcome them on my own — that’s part of what I’m excited about.”

 

 

I love his attitude.  I always thought the desire to play with the best team that doesn't really need you was pretty shallow.  It's more of a challenge and I would think more satisfyng to be an important part of team that's still building to be a great team.  So, let's add him to the list of starting pitchers who we can dream about being the #2 guy behind Skubal.   

[1984Echoes]

1 hour ago, 4hzglory said:

From the Athletic, it sounds like Tatsuya Imai wants to carve out his own place apart from the Dodgers.

“Of course, I’d enjoy playing alongside Ohtani, Yamamoto and Sasaki,” Imai told the former Boston Red Sox and New York Mets starter, “But winning against a team like that and becoming a World Champion would be the most valuable thing in my life. If anything, I’d rather take them down.”

“If there were another Japanese player on the same team, I could just ask them about anything, right?” Imai said. “But that’s actually not what I’m looking for. In a way, I want to experience that sense of survival. When I come face-to-face with cultural differences, I want to see how I can overcome them on my own — that’s part of what I’m excited about.”

Maybe Harris will make a push for him?

I want.

[RatkoVarda]

Sonny Gray and $20M to Red Sox for 2 decent prospects

[theroundsquare]

one of them is named Richard Fitts bwahahahahahaha

[papalawrence]

Cody whatshisname with Tiger Territory said Det has met with Helsley's camp and there are multiple teams talking with him about starting. Cody also said he has heard Det does have interest in King. 

[gehringer_2]

29 minutes ago, papalawrence said:

Cody whatshisname with Tiger Territory said Det has met with Helsley's camp and there are multiple teams talking with him about starting. Cody also said he has heard Det does have interest in King. 

He has never started in 6 yrs in the majors. He was a starter in the minors though AAA in 2019 but didn't have a particularly good ERA in that role. So this would appear to be the player wanting to make the change and looking for a team willing to take a chance on him being successful. As a suitor, you have be a little sceptical since his problem in relief last season was walks which is hardly a good jumping off point for starting. I suppose the thought is he backs off the 100% effort fire ball and regains some command. Nice theory, but it's still anyone's guess.

[Tiger337]

Michael King could end up being next year's Crochet if he's healthy.  I don't know what to say about Helsley.  If multiple teams are nterested in him stating, I guess you just to have some faith that there is somethng there.  not very excited about him though.    

[buddha]

hopefully imai signs with the tigers so i can read headlines about detroit's new japanese import.  get it?  like a car!

harken back to the headlines from when cecil fielder got here.

[romad1]

6 hours ago, buddha said:

hopefully imai signs with the tigers so i can read headlines about detroit's new japanese import.  get it?  like a car!

harken back to the headlines from when cecil fielder got here.

He'd be given the key to Novi if he did sign.*

 

 

(*there are about 3000 people of Japanese origin in Novi and maybe a couple thousand in W sides of Livonia and Farmington because of the local Japanese auto suppliers in the area)

Edit:  what do you know...some statistics.   I missed Canton. 

http://www.usa.com/rank/michigan-state--japanese-population-percentage--city-rank.htm

Edited yesterday at 11:56 AM by romad1

[chasfh]

20 hours ago, gehringer_2 said:

That's an easy sentiment to express while you're on the Dodger with those guys. Will he still feel that way after 6mo in the midwest where he'll be hard pressed to find decent Sake?

The sake you can find. The sashimi might be a challenge in places like Detroit or Kansas City or Pittsburgh.

[chasfh]

16 hours ago, gehringer_2 said:

He has never started in 6 yrs in the majors. He was a starter in the minors though AAA in 2019 but didn't have a particularly good ERA in that role. So this would appear to be the player wanting to make the change and looking for a team willing to take a chance on him being successful. As a suitor, you have be a little sceptical since his problem in relief last season was walks which is hardly a good jumping off point for starting. I suppose the thought is he backs off the 100% effort fire ball and regains some command. Nice theory, but it's still anyone's guess.

I could see Helsley signing here on a one-year prove-it deal. If he does prove it as a starter, he cleans up next winter (or whatever the first winter after a stoppage would be). If he doesn’t, he can sign his career deal as a closer. I could see Detroit being attractive to him reputationally.

[alex]

54 minutes ago, chasfh said:

I could see Helsley signing here on a one-year prove-it deal. If he does prove it as a starter, he cleans up next winter (or whatever the first winter after a stoppage would be). If he doesn’t, he can sign his career deal as a closer. I could see Detroit being attractive to him reputationally.

I can see that as well. No doubt he is/has also talked to Jack Flaherty (his teammate for a few years), who thinks well of Fetters, A.J. and the organization.

Edited yesterday at 01:56 PM by alex

[RatkoVarda]

Espn story: 1 voter has tigers signing Tucker; 1 voter has tigers signing Valdez; zero voters have Skubal signing long term

What will the Tigers do with Tarik Skubal this offseason -- trade him, extend him or let it play out?
Survey says: Let it play out 10, trade him 3, sign/extend him 0

[Tigermojo]

Can Ryan Helsley Actually Start, or Are We Just Not Eating Enough Protein? | FanGraphs Baseball

Could be looking for cost effective solutions especially since Crochet had success but I think in Helsley's case, this is an agent trying creative ways to get his client's name in the news.

[casimir]

On 11/24/2025 at 8:26 AM, chasfh said:

Boo kidney beans. 😉

You’re wrong.

On 11/24/2025 at 8:36 AM, oblong said:

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

True, Texas prefers meat soup rather than chili.

On 11/24/2025 at 8:40 AM, Edman85 said:

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.

 

Crock pots are terrible for chili?  Did you turn the crock pot on?

On 11/23/2025 at 6:21 PM, casimir said:

 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.

See, my bottom line was right.

[casimir]

On 11/25/2025 at 3:41 PM, gehringer_2 said:

He has never started in 6 yrs in the majors. He was a starter in the minors though AAA in 2019 but didn't have a particularly good ERA in that role. So this would appear to be the player wanting to make the change and looking for a team willing to take a chance on him being successful. As a suitor, you have be a little sceptical since his problem in relief last season was walks which is hardly a good jumping off point for starting. I suppose the thought is he backs off the 100% effort fire ball and regains some command. Nice theory, but it's still anyone's guess.

Never was a SP.  Hardly a multi inning RP.  Has only 2 pitches.  I doubt that’s material for a team to try to push a RP into a SP role.  I guess I can see a team thinking they can try it.  But multiple teams with the same cockamamie theory?  Sorry, I don’t see it.

Seth Lugo has some SP outings earlier in his career and also had 4 or more pitches.  So seeing his success in San Diego and then again in Kansas City wasn’t too surprising.  Not necessarily expected, but more reasonable given his history and skill set.

[oblong]

24 minutes ago, casimir said:

You’re wrong.

True, Texas prefers meat soup rather than chili.

Crock pots are terrible for chili?  Did you turn the crock pot on?

See, my bottom line was right.

If I could change one thing about myself in terms of eating it wpuld be that I like beans. I can’t get past the texture. I’ve tried over and over.  The one exception is after the freep half marathon. The VIP tent I get access to, from buying **** - I am not important, provides chili and other food and drinks after. It’s not even a “I will eat this because that’s all there is” thing. I scoop them up.  But try me again later that day.  Something happens to the body.  One year I ran a 10 miler around belle isle on a x75 degree clear sky afternoon.  Worst athletic experience ever. I swore I was never running again.  Because I am slow the event ran low on post race goodies. Sponsored by Atwater.  You finished there. Finding water was hard. My wife handed me a Coke which sounded great.  It tasted like salt water. My body chemistry was out of whack. I spit it out. 
 

anyway I wish I liked beans and didn’t have to run 13.1 miles to enjoy. 

[chasfh]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chili_con_carne#Beans

Beans

Beans, a staple of Tex-Mex cuisine, have been associated with chili as far back as the early 20th century.^[19] The question of whether beans belong in chili has long been a matter of contention among chili cooks. While it is generally accepted that the earliest chilis did not include beans, proponents of their inclusion contend that chili with beans has a sufficiently long history to be considered authentic.^[20] The Chili Appreciation Society International, an organization that mainly operates in Texas, United States, specified in 1999 that, among other rules, cooks in their competitions are forbidden to include beans in the preparation of chili for official competition—nor are they allowed to marinate any meats.^[21] Small red or pink common beans are commonly used for chili, as are black beans, black-eyed peas, kidney beans, pinto beans, great northern beans, or navy beans.

Most commercially prepared canned chili is offered in two varieties, with or without beans.^[22] Some U.S. manufacturers, notably Bush Brothers and Company and Eden Organic, also sell canned precooked beans (without meat) that are labeled "chili beans"; these beans are intended for consumers to add to a chili recipe and are often sold with spices added.

[IdahoBert]

Since we’re back to talking about chili, I guess nothing good has happened  

 

[casimir]

15 hours ago, oblong said:

If I could change one thing about myself in terms of eating it wpuld be that I like beans. I can’t get past the texture. I’ve tried over and over.  The one exception is after the freep half marathon. The VIP tent I get access to, from buying **** - I am not important, provides chili and other food and drinks after. It’s not even a “I will eat this because that’s all there is” thing. I scoop them up.  But try me again later that day.  Something happens to the body.  One year I ran a 10 miler around belle isle on a x75 degree clear sky afternoon.  Worst athletic experience ever. I swore I was never running again.  Because I am slow the event ran low on post race goodies. Sponsored by Atwater.  You finished there. Finding water was hard. My wife handed me a Coke which sounded great.  It tasted like salt water. My body chemistry was out of whack. I spit it out. 
 

anyway I wish I liked beans and didn’t have to run 13.1 miles to enjoy. 

I never considered chili after running a run, but I guess the protein would be good.  Actually, I never consider running.  Just skip over it to get to the chili.