2025-2026 Tigers Off Season Thread

[NorthWoods]

Illitch is so greedy - he'll NEVER spend on this team.

[Motor City Sonics]

4 minutes ago, papalawrence said:

Johnny Grubb, the sweetest swing in baseball

Eva Grubb - the fake Ginger Grant from Gilligan's Island 

(now that is a pull on my part) 

[tiger2022]

3 minutes ago, papalawrence said:

Johnny Grubb, the sweetest swing in baseball

He hit 99 home runs in his career.  They need to bring him back...chase for 100.  It'll be just like watching Cabrera try to hit #500.  Kind of.

[Shelton]

43 minutes ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

What an offseason. In the matter of a week we all went from completely underwhelmed or downright upset to out of our minds excited. What an incredible offseason this has been in the matter of a week's time. First Framber Valdez and then the return of Detroit's favorite son Justin Verlander. Amazing! Great job Scott Harris. 

Speak for yourself, hater. 

[Jake Elwood]

3 minutes ago, Motor City Sonics said:

Without looking it up - what was his UNI number that day? 

Good old number 59.

[Tiger337]

4 hours ago, Shelton said:

I will never understand the idea that a ball in play is required to qualify as action. Who doesn’t love the art of pitching?

Right, the one on one batter/pitcher match-up is what makes baseball unique and that is where the tv cameras are usually focused. Pace of action had been a problem in baseball more than lack of action. I think the pitch clock (which is really just enforcing rules which were already in place) has made games significantly more enjoyable to watch.  I do would like to see more balls in play, but that doesn't mean pitchers pitching and batters batting is inaction.  

[slothfacekilla]

Love it, it isn't my money and more pitching is always great!

[Motor City Sonics]

Roster move.     For Valdez they'll put Jobe on the 60 day, right?    Interesting that hasn't happened yet

    

Who is gone now?     I would think Trey Sweeney is a candidate.       They also have 4 catchers on the roster, but they aren't dumping Liranzo.  Don't know a lot about Valencia, but they'll need a third C at some point.     I think Vierling has an edge over Jahmai Jones and I don't see them cutting Trei Cruz without giving him a look at the MLB level first.  

Sweeney is in trouble with so many potential infielders   Jace, Lee, Keith, Max, Trei all in need of auditions.   

I guess some pitchers could be in trouble  like Bailey Horn or even Gipson-Long.    

Or is someone else going to the 60-day? 

[Tiger337]

Wow, another Tigers signing I didn't hear about until I stepped into motwnforums.  If they had just signed Verlander without signing Valdez, I would have considered it a lazy move.  However, signing Valdez as the #2 and Verlander as a bottom of rotation guy is perfect.

[alex]

Looks like they signed Austin Slater as well - maybe a minor league deal?

 

Edited 4 hours ago by alex

[Motor City Sonics]

Could be interesting if Verlander started the Home Opener.      I mean, right now that would be the 6th game, so it would likely be Skubal since nobody expects a rain out in San Diego or Phoenix.  

[Mr.TaterSalad]

10 minutes ago, Shelton said:

Speak for yourself, hater. 

You were whelmed and excited for Drew Anderson and Kenley Jansen as moves that would have put them over the top in the AL? Because the sentiment around here and with a lot of fans in general seemed to be one of an underwhelming mindset. Feel how you want to feel though. If Anderson and Jansen moved the needle for you then great. Valdez and Verlander are big time moves that give me clear optimism for winning this division now and being a top 2-3 team in the AL in a way the prior moves did not.

[Tiger337]

13 minutes ago, Motor City Sonics said:

Roster move.     For Valdez they'll put Jobe on the 60 day, right?    Interesting that hasn't happened yet

    

Who is gone now?     I would think Trey Sweeney is a candidate.       They also have 4 catchers on the roster, but they aren't dumping Liranzo.  Don't know a lot about Valencia, but they'll need a third C at some point.     I think Vierling has an edge over Jahmai Jones and I don't see them cutting Trei Cruz without giving him a look at the MLB level first.  

Sweeney is in trouble with so many potential infielders   Jace, Lee, Keith, Max, Trei all in need of auditions.   

I guess some pitchers could be in trouble  like Bailey Horn or even Gipson-Long.    

Or is someone else going to the 60-day? 

I wouldn't rule out Olson to the 60 day DL.  Given how little progress he seemingly has made, they may determine that won't be able to pitch for the first two months.  

[NorthWoods]

The JV we need:

Quote

 In his final 13 starts, Verlander was 4-3 with a 2.60 ERA (3.36 FIP), striking out 70 in 72 2/3 innings.

 

[Arlington]

Wouldn't it be great to give Verlander a WS ring with the Tigers as champinos.

 

Champinos - A made up word in which  a mind recently influenced by Bad Bunny and a dream minted.

Edited 3 hours ago by Arlington

[theroundsquare]

[NorthWoods]

3 of the names on this list have something in common.....

 

 

Quote

 

Spotrac@spotrac ·1h

Justin Verlander's $13M guarantee on a return to the Detroit #Tigers raises his on-field career earnings north of $422M, 2nd all-time. 1. Alex Rodriguez: $485M 2. Justin Verlander, $422M 3. Miguel Cabrera, $393M 4. Max Scherzer, $360M 5. Albert Pujols, $341M

 

 

Edited 3 hours ago by NorthWoods

[Tigeraholic1]

44 minutes ago, kdog said:

 

Red Pop was on his way to Cooperstown early that season.

[1984Echoes]

1 hour ago, ewsieg said:

I mean, I'm not going to complain about Verlander finishing up here.  He showed he can still compete last year.  But does this hint that Olsen is hurt more than thought AND the Tigers are done with Jobe?  

Also, not trying to be greedy, but a right handed veteran bat still would be nice.

My guess:

He's a spot-starter/ bullpen guy to start the season.

In order to keep his innings low.

And then start ramping him up for the post-season (regular turn in the rotation August & September?)

In the playoffs... I'm guessing he pitches wherever they need him most. Key innings.

Just a guess...

[antrat]

Welcome home, JV. Make sure to bring the missus around.

[1984Echoes]

1 hour ago, CaliforniaDreaming said:

I'm guessing this is his farewell tour...all of his home starts will be sellouts...the Tigers more than recoup their $13 million.

 

Also...

I'm wondering if he ends up being the "opener" in the first half of the season and starts with a 1 or 2 or 3 inning stint...?

Just WAG'ing...

[Biff Mayhem]

1 hour ago, CaliforniaDreaming said:

I'm guessing this is his farewell tour...all of his home starts will be sellouts...the Tigers more than recoup their $13 million.

 

 

[Tigeraholic1]

 

 

[Edman85]

1 hour ago, Motor City Sonics said:

Roster move.     For Valdez they'll put Jobe on the 60 day, right?    Interesting that hasn't happened yet

    

Who is gone now?     I would think Trey Sweeney is a candidate.       They also have 4 catchers on the roster, but they aren't dumping Liranzo.  Don't know a lot about Valencia, but they'll need a third C at some point.     I think Vierling has an edge over Jahmai Jones and I don't see them cutting Trei Cruz without giving him a look at the MLB level first.  

Sweeney is in trouble with so many potential infielders   Jace, Lee, Keith, Max, Trei all in need of auditions.   

I guess some pitchers could be in trouble  like Bailey Horn or even Gipson-Long.    

Or is someone else going to the 60-day? 

None of the guys added since August 15 can be outrighted until March 6. That includes Cruz, Liranzo, Valencia.

Somebody (probably Olsen) to the 60.

[Tiger337]

58 minutes ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

You were whelmed and excited for Drew Anderson and Kenley Jansen as moves that would have put them over the top in the AL? Because the sentiment around here and with a lot of fans in general seemed to be one of an underwhelming mindset. Feel how you want to feel though. If Anderson and Jansen moved the needle for you then great. Valdez and Verlander are big time moves that give me clear optimism for winning this division now and being a top 2-3 team in the AL in a way the prior moves did not.

I think he was content with what they were doing all along.  So, his level of excitement may not have changed as much as others.