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New York Times
12 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Tigers Q&A: Answering key questions on trade deadline needs and more
During a wide-ranging live Q&A with The Athletic subscribers Monday, Cody Stavenhagen discussed the Detroit Tigers' strong first half, the looming trade-deadline decisions and players such as Spencer Torkelson and Javier Báez. Here are highlights from Tuesday's live discussion. To see answers to many more Tigers questions, read the full Q&A. Note: Questions and answers have been lightly edited for clarity and length. Do the Tigers need to get a third baseman on the trade market? — Patrick B. Colt Keith moving back to third makes the need a lot less urgent. I'd rank the deadline priorities as … 1. A swing-and-miss reliever. Maybe two. 2. A reliable starting pitcher 3. A right-handed bat With Matt Vierling back and Keith able to play third, there isn't a pressing need to acquire an everyday third-base type. Plus, other than Trey Sweeney (back with Kerry Carpenter going on the injured list), there aren't many candidates to be removed from the roster. Advertisement Jahmai Jones has played well, but the Tigers could seek a more proven right-handed platoon type in his place. I could see them being more interested in someone like Amed Rosario than a player like Eugenio Suárez. What is your take on Báez's turnaround this year? What are you seeing, and what does the 'eye test' tell you that is different from or better than the last few years? It seems like the hip surgery helped. I'm also wondering about the impact of having his pal Gleyber Torres on the team (it could be mutually beneficial; he's doing well, too). What will it take for Javy's performance improvements to be sustainable? — Patrick B. So many of the numbers still don't support Báez's play being sustainable. And yet, he just keeps producing. One number that is encouraging: He's hitting .281 against fastballs. He hit .197 and had a negative run value against four-seamers last year, and he hit .179 with a minus-8 run value against fastballs in 2023. He's been on time more often, and that has made a big difference, even though he's still chasing at a super-high clip and has a lower barrel rate than last year. The bat speed has always been there, but it's possible the surgery is allowing him to move better and more comfortably in the box. And yes, Torres has been a great positive influence. Plus, Báez always thrived on winning teams and big crowds. We have heard and read various comments from Scott Harris and Tarik Skubal regarding an extension for the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner. But there doesn't seem to be much coming out about Riley Greene's long-term future in Detroit. Have you heard anything on that front? — Thomas W. As of this past offseason, there hadn't been any dialogue between the Tigers and Greene's camp about an extension. Greene is a great player, but his injury history and the fact that he's already getting slower physically (his average sprint speed has declined from the 59th percentile last year to the 34th percentile this season) make it an interesting discussion. He's a proven All-Star worthy of a nine-figure deal. But if I'm the Tigers, I'd want to see as much of Greene as possible before committing to him long-term. He's great. But a lot of people are concerned about how he's going to age. Who would the Tigers build a trade around if they went after a pitcher with years of control left? Other than Sandy Alcantara, is anyone out there? — Zac S. I like Edward Cabrera, Alcantara's teammate. He's under control through 2028, and Stuff+ models love him, but he's still unproven enough that he wouldn't be enormously expensive. Advertisement (Addendum: We don't know if the Miami Marlins are shopping Cabrera. He's young enough to remain an asset for them. He had a 3.78 ERA with 9.65 strikeouts per nine innings this season entering Tuesday. His overall Stuff+ ranks 22nd among MLB pitchers who have thrown at least 60 innings. Fun to wonder what the Tigers could do with a talent like that. Plus, Jackson Jobe's injury could give them more incentive to think ahead to next year and beyond.) Is there a starting pitcher the Tigers could conceivably get at the deadline who would be better than a 'fixed' Jack Flaherty? Same for the pen with Tyler Holton and Alex Lange. Fans are fixated on the deadline, but last year the Tigers got more out of Sean Guenther, Brenan Hanifee, Will Vest and Beau Brieske than pretty much any team got out of anyone they traded for. What do you think? Are deadline concerns misplaced? — Robert J. This is a good point worth mentioning. It sounds exactly like something Harris would say! But it's also not wrong. An improved Flaherty (or even a healthy Reese Olson) is an addition in itself. Same with someone like Holton getting back to form. The Tigers are still likely to go after outside upgrades in the bullpen. But they'll also bank on a few of their existing guys getting right. Torkelson appears to have cooled off after a hot start. Do you have any insight into how he's perceived in the building right now and long term? He's obviously well liked, but what is he viewed as from a team-building perspective? — Dante U. Yeah, I'd be curious to get unfiltered thoughts from the front office on Tork. I'd guess they are encouraged but not over the moon. There's a chance the 2023 version of Torkelson — not the guy who struggled last year or the guy who was red-hot to start this season — is the best representation of him as a player. That means a right-handed first baseman with real power but meh average and OBP and some weak points in the field. Advertisement Unless he falls off a cliff in the second half, he has done enough to be the first baseman entering next season. But it's probably more cautious optimism than all-out excitement about him in the long term. Also, we should still step back and appreciate what Torkelson has done this season. He went from having a 92 wRC+ last season to a career-best 124 wRC+ this year. Even with a cold June, he's been a strong middle-of-the-order bat, and the Tigers need a power hitter like him in the lineup. (Top photo of Javier Báez: Duane Burleson / Getty Images)
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Detroit Tigers slip slightly in latest MLB power rankings
The Detroit Tigers were not as hot in June as they were in May and April, dropping series against the Cincinnati Reds and Tampa Bay Rays while posting double-digit losses in a month for the first time in 2025. But at 53-32 entering Monday, June 30, the Tigers remain tied for the best record in MLB with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Detroit also maintains an 11½ game lead over the second-place Cleveland Guardians in the American League Central standings, the biggest lead of any division leader in MLB. Advertisement The Tigers also bounced back from a series-opening loss against the Minnesota Twins on Friday, June 27, winning the final two games of the series, including a 3-0 win in front of a nationally-televised audience on Sunday, June 29. And now that the season has crossed into its second half, it's a good time to review where the Tigers stand in the pecking order of MLB teams. Here is a roundup of recent MLB power rankings and where they rank the Tigers among the best in MLB: USA TODAY: 1st No surprises here, with the USA TODAY reserving their top spot for the Tigers for the third straight week. Will Leitch of isn't just proclaiming the Tigers as MLB's best team, he's also wondering how many players Detroit will send to the 2025 All-Star Game in Atlanta: Advertisement "So how many All-Stars do you think the Tigers are going to have? They have three players among the All-Star finalists – Gleyber Torres, Riley Greene and Javier Báez – and real candidates in Zach McKinstry, Spencer Torkelson, Casey Mize, Will Vest and, obviously, Tarik Skubal. And as you can tell from the vote totals: It has been a long, long time since Tigers fans were this excited to cast ballots for their Tigers. Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) throws a pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the fourth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Sunday, June 29, 2025. ESPN: 2nd Though ESPN's most recent power rankings were released on Thursday, June 26, the Tigers and Dodgers happened to have identical records on that day, as well. ESPN ranked the Dodgers ahead of the Tigers, but Buster Olney also gave love to the Tigers ace as a legitimate candidate to make the start for the AL in the All-Star Game. Advertisement "The Yankees' Aaron Boone will be the manager for the American League All-Stars, and he has the option of picking his guy, Max Fried, to start the Midsummer Classic. Or he could consider Boston's Garrett Crochet. But the numbers for Detroit's Tarik Skubal are daunting: He leads the AL in fWAR at 3.8 and in expected fielding independent pitching (xFIP) at 2.46 and is second in fewest walks per nine innings (1.15) and strikeouts per nine innings (11.03)." CBS: 2nd Much like ESPN, CBS' Matt Snyder also has the Dodgers at the top, but sees the Tigers reaching a mark they haven't hit for a while: "Despite a bit of a rocky June, at least by the high standard this Tigers team has established, they remain on pace to hit the 100-win mark for the first time since 1984. In fact, in 124 previous seasons, the Tigers have only won 100 games five times (1984, 1968, 1961, 1934 and 1915)." Advertisement SUNDAY NIGHT SHOWCASE: Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal has everything working, including changeup NBC: 2nd The Tigers fell from first to second place in NBC's rankings, with NBC's D.J. Short saving his praise for Skubal: "It was pretty cool to see the Tigers featured on Sunday Night Baseball this week. Tarik Skubal was obviously amped up for the occasion, as he struck out eight batters (including seven in a row) through the first three innings against the Twins. He ended up fanning 13 batters while allowing just one hit over seven scoreless frames. He's on another level right now." Bleacher Report: 3rd Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter keeps the Tigers in the No. 3 slot for the second-consecutive week, placing the Dodgers and Houston Astros ahead of the Tigers in his latest ranking: Advertisement "The Tigers shook things up a bit on Sunday when they activated Matt Vierling from the injured list and optioned shortstop Trey Sweeney to Triple-A. With a resurgent Javier Báez and super-utility man Zach McKinstry both also logging time at shortstop, the light-hitting Sweeney ended up as the odd man out on the infield. They are 14-5 against the rest of the AL Central this year after wrapping up a series victory over the Twins on Sunday Night Baseball." Yahoo: 3rd Yahoo's Jordan Shusterman has the Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies ahead of the Tigers, but still gave love to a mix of deserving All-Star candidates in Detroit: "Riley Greeneand Javier Baezhave both felt the love from the Tigers faithful as well, with Greene's power surge in his age-24 season certainly warranting an invite and Baez's remarkable renaissance representing one of the best stories across MLB this season. Spencer Torkelsonhas cooled off and might no longer be All-Star-worthy, but he could be a very fun Home Run Derby invite." FanGraphs: 3rd Aligning their top-three with Bleacher Report, FanGraphs still gave praise to the Tigers for how they finished their weekend series against the Twins: Advertisement "The Tigers won their weekend series against the Twins with two emphatic wins on Saturday and Sunday. In their 10-5 victory on Saturday, Riley Greene and Zach McKinstry were the standouts, each collecting a home run and three hits. Tarik Skubal took center stage on Sunday, firing seven shutout innings with 13 punchouts while allowing just two baserunners." You can reach Christian at cromo@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers slip a little in latest MLB power rankings
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Three Detroit Tigers make list of 2025 MLB All-Star Game finalists heading into Phase 2
Next month's MLB All-State Game in Atlanta might have a decidedly Motor City feel if the voting trends continue. If All-Star Game voting ended now, the Detroit Tigers would have three players starting July 15 for the American League team: Gleyber Torres at second base, Riley Greene in left field and Javier Báez in center field (not including Tarik Skubal, who is expected to be picked as the starting pitcher by AL manager Aaron Boone). Advertisement But voting hasn't ended. It has only transitioned from Phase 1 to Phase 2, with Báez, Greene and Torres making the cut for the Tigers. There are two parts of fan voting: Phase 1 ran from June 4-26 and included all MLB players, with fans voting for the players they want to start at each position and the top two vote-getters at each position (and the top six in the outfield) advancing. Phase 2, meanwhile, runs from June 30-July 2; the vote totals are reset and fans vote online on the smaller pool of players to determine the starters at each position. FRIENDLY ADVICE: Why Tigers might not have Gleyber Torres without Gio Urshela Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres, left, (25) takes the field alongside left fielder Riley Greene (31) during their game against the Chicago Cubs at Comerica Park in Detroit on Saturday, June 7, 2025. Celebrate 125 epic seasons of the Tigers with our new book! Advertisement MLB announced the results of Phase 1 on Thursday, June 26. Fans can vote for the remaining position players — including Torres, Greene and Báez — in Phase 2 to determine the AL starters at through noon on July 2, with starters to be announced that night. Meanwhile, pitchers and reserve selections are determined by player vote and the commissioner's office. The full All-Star Game rosters will be announced July 6. New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge received the most Phase 1 votes (4,012,983) among all AL players, giving him an automatic starting spot in the All-Star Game, which takes place at Truist Park in Atlanta. Judge's automatic nod also shrinks the outfield finalist pool a bit — only the top four advance for the final two spots in the AL. In the NL, Designated hitter Shohei Ohtani received the most votes, getting that league's automatic spot. [ MUST LISTEN: Make "Days of Roar" your go-to Detroit Tigers podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) ] Advertisement In 2025, the trio of Torres, Greene and Báez has guided the Tigers to MLB's best record (51-31). Torres, 28, is hitting .281 with eight home runs (including one Thursday), 41 walks and 36 strikeouts in 69 games, with an .816 OPS; Greene, 24, is hitting .295 with 17 homers, 24 walks and 102 strikeouts in 80 games, with an .878 OPS; Báez, 32, is hitting .289 with nine homers, nine walks and 53 strikeouts in 69 games, with a .794OPS. All three players have been All-Stars in the past: Torres in 2018 and 2019 with the New York Yankees, Greene in 2024 with the Tigers and Báez in 2018 and 2019 with the Chicago Cubs. Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@ or follow him @EvanPetzold. Advertisement Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at Order your copy of 'Roar of 125: The Epic History of the Detroit Tigers!' by the Free Press at This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2025 MLB All-Star Game finalists: Detroit Tigers have 3 advance
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Detroit Tigers' Riley Greene on All-Star Game voting: 'Just trying to help this team win'
Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene made the All-Star Game for the first time as a reserve in 2024. One year later, Greene has positioned himself to make the Midsummer Classic as a starter. He crushed in Phase 1 of fan voting. Advertisement "I'm going to be honest, I don't really know how all that voting works and everything," Greene said. "We still got a few weeks. We'll see what happens." PHASE 1: Three Tigers make list of 2025 MLB All-Star Game finalists heading into Phase 2 Detroit Tigers left fielder Riley Greene makes a sliding catch against the Tampa Bay Rays in the eighth inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Celebrate 125 seasons of the Tigers with our new book! In his fourth MLB season, Greene is hitting .295 with 17 home runs, 61 RBIs, 24 walks and 102 strikeouts in 80 games, spanning 335 plate appearances. His .878 OPS ranks seventh among American League players. For his performance, Greene has advanced from Phase 1 to Phase 2 in fan voting for the 2025 All-Star Game — joining teammates Gleyber Torres and Javier Báez. The vote totals reset for Phase 2, which lasts from Monday, June 30, until Wednesday, July 2. Advertisement "At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter to me if I'm recognized or not," Greene said. "I'm just trying to help this team win." Only 16 AL players advanced to Phase 2: two players at each infield position, two players at catcher, two players at designated hitter and four players in the outfield (due to New York outfielder Aaron Judge's guaranteed spot as the league's top vote-getter). The top vote-getter at each position — and the top two vote-getters in the outfield — will be locked in as All-Star starters. If trends from Phase 1 continue, the Tigers will have three position players starting for the AL in the All-Star Game, which takes place July 15 at Truist Field in Atlanta: Torres at second base, Greene in left field and Báez in center. In Phase 1, Greene received 2,332,378 votes. Advertisement His vote total ranked No. 2 among AL outfielders, trailing only Judge (4,012,983). It also ranked fourth among all AL players, behind Judge, Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh (3,040,594) and Cleveland third baseman José Ramírez (2,777,085), but ahead of Toronto first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (2,089,666). [ MUST LISTEN: Make "Days of Roar" your go-to Detroit Tigers podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) ] Greene reflected on his 2024 experience at the All-Star Game, in which he entered as the left fielder in the fifth inning. He finished 0-for-2 with a flyout and a strikeout, but he made a sliding catch on defense. "Just being around the guys," said Greene, who turns 25 in late September. "We play against all these guys. We don't know them as people. They're good dudes. You can learn something from them. I feel like it was kind of a blur, the first time." Advertisement He remembers a brief conversation with Judge. "It's crazy. He puts up these crazy numbers and is the dude every year. It's impressive he can do it every single year. He's a pretty humble guy and just wants to win." Home Run Derby? Two players have committed to the eight-player 2025 Home Run Derby, scheduled for July 14: Raleigh for the AL and Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves for the NL. Recently, Elly De La Cruz of the Cincinnati Reds declined an invitation to participate in the Home Run Derby. Greene is tied for 15th in MLB with 17 home runs. "I have not thought about it whatsoever," Greene said. Detroit Tigers left fielder Riley Greene (31) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday, May 30, 2025. If invited, would Greene participate? Advertisement "I don't know," Greene said. "It's a lot of swings." There's a reason for that uncertainty. "It's tough on the body," Greene said. "You want to try to have a break as much as possible." For the 2024 All-Star Game, Greene didn't take batting practice on the field. He only took a few swings in the batting cage within an hour before the Midsummer Classic. "I didn't do anything until we played," Greene said. "I was exhausted. I played 100 out of 102 games. I was tired. I was trying to stay relaxed and not do anything." TORK TIME: Does Tigers 1B Spencer Torkelson have All-Star plans? 'I'm going Up North' Advertisement A player is not required to be selected to the All-Star Game to be eligible to participate in the Home Run Derby, which opens the door for Tigers sluggers Spencer Torkelson (17 homers in 76 games) and Kerry Carpenter (14 homers in 75 games). Torkelson has expressed interest. Matt Vierling injury update Outfielder/third baseman Matt Vierling (right shoulder inflammation) is scheduled to play at least two more games on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo. IT'S TIME: Is Reese Olson ready for Tigers return after 3rd rehab start? A.J. Hinch answers The 28-year-old will start in the outfield for the Mud Hens on Saturday, June 28, then make another start in the infield — presumably Sunday, June 29 — before the Tigers make a decision. Advertisement Neither the Tigers nor the Mud Hens play Monday, June 30. Both teams play Tuesday, July 1, with the Tigers beginning a three-game series on the road against the Washington Nationals. It's possible both Vierling and right-hander Reese Olson return for the Nationals series. "I don't know anybody in my chair that will be frustrated with bringing back a guy like Matt Vierling," Hinch said. "When that happens, we'll have plenty to talk about and to address. We're going to move him around the field." Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@ or follow him @EvanPetzold. Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at Advertisement Order your copy of 'Roar of 125: The Epic History of the Detroit Tigers!' by the Free Press at This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers' Riley Greene among AL-best in All-Star Game voting
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Skubal strikes out 13, wins 10th straight decision as Tigers beat Twins 3-0
Minnesota Twins' Byron Buxton bats during the third inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez) Detroit Tigers' Javier Báez bats during the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez) Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Chris Paddack throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez) Detroit Tigers' Riley Greene, center, is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez) Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal throws during the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez) Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal throws during the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez) Minnesota Twins' Byron Buxton bats during the third inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez) Detroit Tigers' Javier Báez bats during the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez) Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Chris Paddack throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez) Detroit Tigers' Riley Greene, center, is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez) Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal throws during the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez) DETROIT (AP) — Tarik Skubal struck out 13 hitters in seven innings and the Detroit Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins 3-0 on Sunday night. Skubal (10-2) only allowed one hit — a clean single to right by Ty France in the fifth inning — as he improved to 10-0 with a 1.74 ERA in his last 15 starts. The last double-digit streak in one season by a Detroit lefty was Earl Whitehill's 11-start stretch in 1930. Advertisement The strikeouts matched Skubal's career high, last done on May 25 in his 94-pitch shutout against the Guardians. Chris Paddack (3-7) gave up three runs in 4 2/3 innings for the Twins. The Tigers took a 1-0 lead on Kerry Carpenter's solo homer in the first inning, and he added a RBI triple in the fifth before leaving the game with an apparent leg injury. Riley Greene hit a solo homer in the fourth. Will Vest pitched the ninth to pick up his 13th save. Key moment Skubal struck out eight of the first nine hitters, including seven in a row, before Byron Buxton lifted a fly ball to Riley Greene on the warning track in left. Buxton is 2 for 15 (.133) in his career against Skubal, though both hits have been homers. Advertisement Key stat Skubal is 5-0 in June, making him the third Tigers pitcher to be 4-0 or better in the month in the last 25 years. The other two, Justin Verlander in 2011 and Max Scherzer in 2013, each won the American League Cy Young Award. Up next Twins LHP Joe Ryan (8-3, 2.86 ERA) starts against Marlins RHP Edward Cabrera (2-2, 3.78) in the series opener in Miami on Tuesday. Tigers RHP Jack Flaherty (5-9, 4.80) faces Nationals RHP Trevor Williams (3-9, 5.65) in Washington on Tuesday. ___ AP MLB:
