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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Is the Tarik Skubal window an 'illusion' for Detroit Tigers?
On "Days of Roar," Evan Petzold and Scott Bentley discuss what Scott Harris said about the Detroit Tigers' timeline to win with ace Tarik Skubal.
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Detroit Tigers among big losers at MLB trade deadline: Experts react
Detroit Tigers remade their pitching staff at the 2025 MLB trade deadline, acquiring seven pitchers: starters Chris Paddack, Charlie Morton and Randy Dobnak, and relievers Kyle Finnegan, Paul Sewald, Rafael Montero and Codi Heuer. Dobnak and Heuer were optioned to Triple-A Toledo, and the injured Sewald was transferred to the 60-day injured list and won't be back until September. The Tigers also sent out two pitchers: Former first-round pick Matt Manning and ex-Central Michigan pitcher Dietrich Enns. The additions are seen as underwhelming. None of the seven pitchers the Tigers traded for are having good seasons, though Finnegan, who was the Washington Nationals closer with 20 saves and a 4.38 ERA, is probably the best addition to help current Tigers closer Will Vest fortify the back of the bullpen. Here's how MLB experts are reacting to the Tigers' deadline moves, led by third-year president of baseball operations Scott Harris. TRENDING: Tigers' Scott Harris dismisses idea of Tarik Skubal window, calls it 'an illusion' Every Tigers trade at MLB trade deadline 2025 Click the player name links for a trade grade and analysis from Evan Petzold, our Tigers beat writer at the Detroit Free Press. Acquired starting pitcher Charlie Morton from Baltimore for pitching prospect Micah Ashman. Acquired reliever Paul Sewald from Cleveland for player to be named later or cash considerations. Acquired reliever Kyle Finnegan from Washington for pitching prospects Josh Randall and R.J. Sales. Acquired reliever Rafael Montero from Atlanta for infield prospect Jim Jarvis. Acquired starting pitchers Chris Paddack and Randy Dobnak from Minnesota for catching prospect Enrique Jimenez. Traded stater/reliever Matt Manning to Philadelphia for outfield prospect Josueth Quinonez. Acquired reliever Codi Heuer from Texas for cash considerations. Traded reliever Dietrich Enns to Baltimore for cash considerations. Reactions from national baseball experts on the Tigers' deadline haul: David Schoenfield, ESPN: Tigers among 6 losers "In a season in which the AL is so wide open, it was a disappointingly conservative approach to the trade deadline, especially because Detroit has one of the top farm systems in the majors. The Tigers didn't have to trade Kevin McGonigle or Max Clark or Bryce Rainer to get better, but they should have at least added an impact reliever." Buy our book: The Epic History of the Tigers Mike Axisa, CBS Sports: Tigers bullpen a loser "For a team leading its division and on the short list of World Series contenders, the Tigers had an underwhelming trade deadline. Their bullpen has been a liability the last few weeks. ... Finnegan is a quality reliever. Otherwise Heuer is a depth arm, Montero was designated for assignment by the Astros last year, and Sewald is injured, and won't be eligible to return until September. Picking up righty Charlie Morton (Orioles) as a rotation piece was a nice move. The bullpen though? It needed help and got more questions than answers." [ NEW TIGERS NEWSLETTER! Sign up for The Purr-fect Game, a weekly dose of Tigers news, numbers and analysis for Freep subscribers. ] Jake Mintz, Yahoo Sports!: Tigers deadline grade is 'D' Only the Boston Red Sox (F), Minnesota Twins (F), Atlanta Braves (F+) and Pittsburgh Pirates (F+) were given a worse grade by Mintz. "Detroit could get bounced in the ALDS, and while fans would be frustrated, they wouldn't be furious. There's no urgency here, and it showed, for the worse, at the deadline. "Competitive windows often open and close faster than teams think (see 2016 Cubs, Chicago). I wish Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris had been more aggressive. Reinforcing the bullpen with a cavalcade of relievers is solid if unspectacular, with nice moves to survive the grind of 162. But the Tigers didn't do anything this week to up their World Series odds, which, given the talent on the roster, is a darn shame." OPINION: Tigers achieved two big goals at trade deadline Stephen J. Nesbitt, The Athletic: 'Not a winning deadline' "(This) is not a winning deadline. It's depth. Where are the bats? Where are the stud late-inning relievers? The issue is not that the Tigers lost the individual trades. It's that they were so unwilling to overpay on elite relievers that they didn't come close to landing any of them. Instead, they incrementally improved and didn't raid their prospect stash. Feels great until it's the ninth inning of a playoff game and you could have had Ryan Helsley or David Bednar trotting in from the bullpen." Jim Bowden, The Athletic: Tigers get a 'B' "The Tigers improved their pitching depth for the regular season, but I wonder if going for higher quality and less quantity would have been better." Follow the best Tigers coverage all year long at and sign up for our Tigers newsletter: The Purr-fect Game. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers among big losers at MLB trade deadline, experts say
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tigers fans won't love team's trade deadline strategy
The post Tigers fans won't love team's trade deadline strategy appeared first on ClutchPoints. With the Detroit Tigers recording their 10th loss in the last 11 games, there could be fans wondering what the team plans to do at the trade deadline, though the answer might disappoint them. As there will be rumors around the Tigers ahead of the trade deadline next week, the strategy has been revealed by the ball club. It has been reported that Detroit will have a 'conservative approach' to the MLB trade deadline, which is on the evening of July 31, according to Evan Petzold of The Detroit Free Press. 'The Detroit Tigers aren't expected to make a big splash at the 2025 trade deadline, set for 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 31,' Petzold wrote. 'Instead, they're likely to take a conservative approach, targeting mid-tier relievers as the most realistic upgrade.' 'The Tigers don't plan to trade any of their five top-100 prospects (as ranked by MLB Pipeline), staying committed to their goal of long-term sustainability,' Petzold continued. 'They also value the unpredictability of their matchup-based offense and intend to rely on internal pitching options in hopes of rekindling their postseason magic.' Tigers still looking to be buyers at the trade deadline While the Tigers had been linked to stars such as Eugenio Suarez, it seems like that dream for fans is buried with the team taking a backseat and making lateral moves. It seems as if the team doesn't want to totally tap into their farm system for such players, though Petzold would say that Detroit and President of Baseball Operations Scott Harris will be 'buyers.' 'The Tigers will be buyers, but president of baseball operations Scott Harris isn't expected to trade like former general manager Dave Dombrowski — just as owner Christopher Ilitch doesn't spend like his late father, Mike Ilitch,' Petzold wrote. 'This isn't an all-in push to win the World Series in 2025. And the Tigers are OK with that. The Tigers think there's enough internal upside to hold steady.' 'They're confident Zach McKinstry can continue producing at a career-best rate, and even if a hitter like Javier Báez regresses, they expect either Parker Meadows or Matt Vierling to emerge as an impact bat. Kerry Carpenter is also lined up to return soon from a right hamstring injury. If needed, infield prospect Hao-Yu Lee could be promoted from Triple-A Toledo as a key right-handed bat in the final six weeks.' At any rate, it remains to be seen how active the Tigers will be when the trade deadline comes around on July 31, as the team is currently 60-44, putting them first in the AL Central, despite the present slump. Detroit plays the Toronto Blue Jays in the second of four games in the series on Friday night. Related: Reese Olson's confident message amid Tigers' brutal slump Related: AJ Hinch gets real on Tigers' 10th loss in 11 games
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why Tigers must be aggressive at 2025 MLB Trade Deadline
The post Why Tigers must be aggressive at 2025 MLB Trade Deadline appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Detroit Tigers are in serious trouble. Detroit has lost 12 of its last 13 games. Even the return of Tarik Skubal could not compel this team to a victory. They are on the verge of being swept in three of their last four matchups. And they have played putrid baseball in nearly every facet of the game. Prior to this, Detroit seemed like the best team in baseball. They went into the All-Star break with a 59-38 record. The Tigers had six players represent them at the MLB All-Star Game. And they arguably could have had a seventh if first baseman Spencer Torkelson had received a nod. All signs pointed to this team being aggressive at the MLB Trade Deadline. Certain trade rumors indicated the Tigers had an interest in a swing-and-miss closer, as well as some other pieces. However, recent reporting has thrown cold water on this idea. On Friday, Detroit Free Press reporter Evan Petzold reported that the team is planning to be 'conservative' at the deadline. 'The Detroit Tigers aren't expected to make a big splash at the 2025 trade deadline, set for 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 31. Instead, they're likely to take a conservative approach, targeting mid-tier relievers as the most realistic upgrade,' he wrote. If things were going well, this approach would make sense. However, this no longer works. The Tigers are in serious trouble, and they cannot afford to sit back at the MLB Trade Deadline. Tigers have played terribly at every level Detroit has had its ups and downs throughout the season. There have been times when the offense dried up. They'd recover, and then the bullpen would bleed runs. Now, it seems as if everything is going wrong for the Tigers. Every starting pitcher not named Skubal has an ERA above 3.00. In their last 12 games, Detroit has been outscored 89-33. They managed just two hits against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday night. And they have scored one run or fewer in five of their last nine games. Even the team's base running and defense has suffered. The Tigers have been one of the league's better base-running teams, especially when going from first to third on a hit. However, they have been rather sloppy as of late. Detroit has also suffered defensive miscues in nearly every game since the All-Star break. It's one thing if these sorts of miscues are an isolated incident. However, they are affecting the entire team. The Tigers are still in a position to win the World Series if they can turn things around. At the same time, they may not be in that position long if they refuse to swing for the fences this coming week. Quiet trade deadline could send wrong message Detroit is in a tailspin, but it's worth keeping a level head to some extent. For instance. Detroit holds a 60-46 record and hold a seven game lead atop the American League Central. Moreover, they are the only team in the division with a winning record. The work they did in the first half of the season deserves some recognition. Making a big splash at the MLB Trade Deadline sends a message of confidence. It shows the current roster that the Tigers front office believes they are close to contention, and are willing to make the extra moves to put them over the top. Doing nothing at the deadline could send the opposite message. It could signal that their recent struggles has shaken the front office's confidence. The Tigers need to find their confidence if they want to win games. If the front office sits on its hands, it could prevent Detroit from finding its swagger again. And that could have a negative affect on the rest of the 2025 season. Related: Tigers' Tarik Skubal still on baby watch during Blue Jays start Related: Tigers' Jake Rogers picks off Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with unbelievable throw
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Detroit Tigers grade for Chris Paddack trade: Nobody better to replace Reese Olson?
The Detroit Tigers acquired right-handers Chris Paddack and Randy Dobnak for catching prospect Enrique Jimenez in a trade Monday, July 28, with the Minnesota Twins. Here's how Evan Petzold, the Tigers beat writer for the Detroit Free Press, evaluates the Paddack trade ahead of the 2025 MLB trade deadline, providing a grade and analysis. Detroit Tigers trade for Chris Paddack, Randy Dobnak Tigers acquire: RHP Chris Paddack, RHP Randy Dobnak. Twins acquire: C Enrique Jimenez. Grade: D+. THE TRADE: Tigers trade for Chris Paddack, Randy Dobnak from Twins The buzz: Who are the top rental starting pitchers available as the trade deadline approaches? Five impending free agents stand out: Merrill Kelly (Arizona Diamondbacks), Adrian Houser (Chicago White Sox), Charlie Morton (Baltimore Orioles), Andrew Heaney (Pittsburgh Pirates) and Zac Gallen (Diamondbacks). When the Tigers found out Reese Olson, their second-best starter who owns a 3.15 ERA in 13 starts, would miss the remainder of the regular season (and possibly the postseason) with a right shoulder strain, president of baseball operations Scott Harris moved quickly to find a short-term replacement in the starting rotation. The Tigers ended up trading for right-hander Chris Paddack (along with right-hander Randy Dobnak) from the Twins, with Paddack set to fill Olson's spot and Dobnak reporting to Triple-A Toledo. The problem: Paddack has been bad, and Dobnak has been even worse. Paddack, 29, has a 4.95 ERA in MLB, with 27 walks and 83 strikeouts over 111 innings in 21 starts; Dobnak, 30, has a 7.12 ERA in Triple-A, with 35 walks and 42 strikeouts over 60⅔ innings in 17 games (10 starts). To acquire those arms, the Tigers gave up switch-hitting catcher Enrique Jimenez — their top international signee in the 2023 class, who signed for $1.25 million out of Venezuela. The 19-year-old ranked as the Tigers' No. 14 prospect (before becoming the Twins' No. 20 prospect), according to MLB Pipeline. The headliner of the trade is Paddack, a below-average starter who is expected to take the ball every five days, eat innings, fill up the strike zone and flash a 5.00 ERA. He limits walks, but he doesn't generate whiffs or strikeouts. His status as a fly-ball pitcher bodes well for Comerica Park. He probably isn't any better than Keider Montero, who the Tigers recently optioned to Triple-A Toledo. Paddack is responsible for a 4.49 ERA in his seven-year MLB career, spanning 106 games (103 starts). LET'S MAKE A DEAL: Eugenio Suárez trade: What Tigers could give up to get him from Diamondbacks Aside from performance, the concern is that Paddack has already completed 111 innings. Until now, he hasn't thrown more than 108⅓ innings in a single season since 2019, when he tossed more than 140 innings. The reason for part of that: Paddack underwent Tommy John surgery in both 2016 and 2022 to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow: If he wants to eat innings, then he needs to stay healthy. The Tigers' rotation, led by ace Tarik Skubal, boasts a 3.58 ERA in the 2025 season, ranking sixth among the 30 teams, but in July, the Tigers rank 20th with a 4.61 ERA from their rotation. It's possible Paddack fails to help the Tigers improve (while Dobnak wastes away in Triple-A Toledo) − but Kelly, Houser, Morton and the other aforementioned starters would've given the rotation a better chance for success, especially during a postseason run with World Series dreams. 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 Order your copy of 'Roar of 125: The Epic History of the Tigers!' by the Free Press at This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers grade for Chris Paddack trade after Reese Olson injury
