Detroit, MI

The Detroit Tigers are on the rise. Taking the next step is the hard part

Published

2 years ago

September 18, 2024

The Detroit Tigers are on the rise. Taking the next step is the hard part

This is the moment front offices should find invigorating, but too often dread. The worst of the losing is over. The team is on the rise. But now comes a new challenge. Expectations mount. Scrutiny increases. The payroll jumps, or at least it should, increasing the possibility of big-money mistakes.

The Detroit Tigers are approaching this juncture, competing for a wild card with a stunning second-half surge that caught almost the entire industry by surprise. The team features an intriguing young core. Its payroll commitments for 2025 are a relatively meager $38.8 million. This offseason, the additions of a top-of-the-rotation starter, corner-infield help and more strikeout capability in the bullpen could push the team closer to the next great era of Tigers baseball.

Which isn’t to say the Tigers should do anything stupid; the last thing they need is another Javier Báez. They are rebounding, in large part, because president of baseball operations Scott Harris remained disciplined in his decision-making.

Harris, completing his second full season, need not be as desperate as the Kansas City Royals were for a turnaround coming off 106 losses a year ago. Nor will he want to turn into the Cincinnati Reds, who last offseason spent more than $100 million in free agency to supplement a young, talented roster — and appear headed to a sub-.500 finish.

Adding proven veterans in an effort to “take the next step” often is tricky, simply because so much can go wrong. The risk for the Tigers last offseason was much lower. The players Harris acquired — pitchers Jack Flaherty, Kenta Maeda, Shelby Miller and Andrew Chafin, outfielder Mark Canha and third baseman Gio Urshela — were intended to enhance the building effort, biding time for young players, building trade value or both. Flaherty was the only clear win. Maeda joined Báez as a sunk cost; the two comprise the bulk of the team’s payroll commitments for 2025.

Scott Harris need not be as desperate as some of his other Central contemporaries. (Mike Carlson / MLB Photos via Getty Images)

The mindset this winter must be different. The Tigers’ free-agent choices should help the team compete for the AL Central title. Could be Christian Walker at first. Could be Alex Bregman at third. Could be Nathan Eovaldi for the rotation, Tanner Scott for the bullpen. Harris can figure out the names later. But with AL Cy Young favorite Tarik Skubal under club control for only two more seasons, it’s go time.

The Tigers’ (24-10) record since Aug. 11 is the best in the majors. So is their 2.52 ERA, and plus 60-run differential. All of this happened after they sold at the deadline, parting with Flaherty, Canha and Chafin. Their return for Flaherty initially drew criticism, particularly compared to what the Toronto Blue Jays landed for Yusei Kikuchi. But Trey Sweeney is showing enough to possibly be at least the primary shortstop next season against right-handed pitching, and catcher Thayron Liranzo is starting to appear on lists of the game’s top 100 prospects.

A strong case can be made for the Tigers to pursue top free agent Juan Soto, who, at 26 next season, is at the right age for an emerging club. The late Detroit owner Mike Ilitch might have gone for such a splash, even with a team deep in left-handed hitting outfielders (Riley Greene, Parker Meadows, Kerry Carpenter and switch-hitter Wenceel Perez, not to mention top prospect Max Clark). Ilitch’s son, team president and CEO Christopher Ilitch, is far less likely to make a massive investment. But even factoring in salaries for arbitration-eligible players, the Tigers’ payroll has significant room to grow.

First base is one potential area of need. The Tigers need to make a decision on Spencer Torkelson, whom they drafted first overall in 2020 under Harris’ predecessor, Al Avila. Harris and Co. gave an indication of how they view Torkelson by sending him to Triple A for nearly three months. Torkelson has been better since returning, but is he a permanent solution?

Jace Jung, the 12th overall pick in 2022, Avila’s last draft, also might be less than a fixture, and not simply because front offices are generally less wedded to players brought in by previous regimes. With the Tigers committed to Colt Keith, Jung is unlikely to return to second, his position at Texas Tech. He is still growing comfortable at third, and manager AJ Hinch’s ties to Bregman from their days together with the Houston Astros will prompt speculation about a possible fit.

Both Torkelson and Jung are represented by Scott Boras, who also is the agent for Bregman and top free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso. How all that will figure into Boras’ and the Tigers’ equations, if at all, is impossible to say. Other teams also will be in the market for Bregman and Alonso, both of whom will be among the most expensive free-agent options.

The Tigers will need to make a decision on Spencer Torkelson, a former No. 1 overall pick who has yet to blossom. (Duane Burleson / Getty Images)

The rotation is another area for the Tigers to address, considering that for most of this run they used only two starters, Skubal and Keider Montero, and ran frequent bullpen games. Skubal, Reese Olson and top prospect Jackson Jobe give the club the makings of an outstanding top three, but the right veteran addition would make the group deeper and stronger.

The Tigers need not splurge on Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell or Max Fried, though any of those three obviously would provide significant impact. The free-agent market also will include Flaherty, Kikuchi and Luis Severino, plus potentially Eovaldi, Sean Manaea and Michael Wacha, if they decline player options.

Finally, there is the bullpen. The Tigers entered Tuesday ranked seventh in the majors in bullpen ERA, but with the sixth worst strikeout rate. Casual fans might be challenged to name more than one or two of their relievers. Hinch is using both Jason Foley and Tyler Holton at the back end. So while the performance of relievers is notoriously volatile, a free-agent closer such as Scott or Carlos Estévez would help, and other additions should be considered, too.

Again, the Tigers can go about this in a measured, intelligent manner. The trade market will offer additional opportunities, particularly now that the Detroit farm system is strong enough for Harris to at least consider trading young players. Maybe one of the club’s young outfielders could bring a starting pitcher. Maybe Torkelson and/or Jung would appeal to certain teams.

This is when it gets fun. After seven straight losing seasons, including a 114-loss campaign in 2019, the Tigers finally are competitive again, enlivening Comerica Park, captivating the city. The pressures now will be greater, but so will the rewards. Many of the pieces are in place. The Tigers just need a few more.

(Top photo of Trey Sweeney: Nic Antaya / Getty Images)

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Detroit, MI

Sheffield sets focus on key issues in first State of City speech. How to watch

Published

9 hours ago

March 31, 2026

Press Room

Sheffield sets focus on key issues in first State of City speech. How to watch

Detroit ― Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield is set to deliver her first State of the City speech Tuesday night as she is expected to focus on her plans to improve the city’s neighborhoods and crack down on smaller crimes such as property theft.

Sheffield is expected to unveil more details on how she aims to boost neighborhood spending and investment and her plan to crack down on “smaller crimes,” such as larcenies as well as breaking and entering into homes and cars, that many residents say is a major concern, Deputy Mayor Brian White told The Detroit News on Monday.

Sheffield is making her speech at Samuel C. Mumford High School on the city’s west side at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The address will be livestreamed on the City of Detroit’s official YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn, with streaming beginning at 6:30 p.m. About 800 invited guests are expected to attend the event in person.

How to watch State of the City speech

Viewers can watch and listen to Sheffield’s speech across a variety of platforms that will start streaming at 6:30 p.m., about a half-hour before the speech is scheduled to begin:

Why Sheffield chose the high school as the site of her speech

The mayor chose Mumford High School for her first State of the City address to reinforce the theme that “she’s going to be a neighborhood-focused mayor,” White said.

“The high school is a prime example of what can happen when we put our lives together and rebuild,” White said. “Her leadership style has always been about inspiring people to dream big and go further into the neighborhoods with development.”

She will tout the executive orders and other changes in policies and initiatives she’s already enacted, the deputy mayor said.

Some of those policies include expanding a nonprofit program into Detroit that gives cash to every new and expectant mother; creating both the Office of Neighborhood and Community Safety and the Human, Homeless, and Family Services Department; implementing a new compliance program for senior citizen housing facilities; and amping up safeguards of home demolition sites, among other measures.

New mayor sets first in Detroit’s 324-year history

The former city councilwoman is the first female mayor, along with the first Black woman mayor, in Detroit’s 324-year history. She succeeded Mike Duggan, who in his three terms and 12 years in office is widely credited with stabilizing the city’s finances after the city entered Chapter 9 municipal bankruptcy in July 2013 and exited it at the end of 2014.

Sheffield was the council president before being elected in November. She won in a landslide, nabbing 77% of the vote over the Rev. Solomon Kinloch. She’s also a fourth-generation Detroiter.

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Detroit, MI

Depleted Detroit Pistons drag West-best Thunder into OT before falling

Published

21 hours ago

March 31, 2026

Press Room

Depleted Detroit Pistons drag West-best Thunder into OT before falling

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Detroit Pistons nearly took down the defending champs in their own arena without four starters. An MVP-caliber performance by reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander allowed the Oklahoma City Thunder to escape.

Gilgeous-Alexander scored 47 points, and knocked down 21 of his 25 free throws, to put away the Pistons in overtime, 114-110, on Monday, March 30. Three free throws from Gilgeous-Alexander with 48.3 seconds left in overtime extended the Thunder’s lead to five, 111-106. He then split a trip with 13.3 seconds left, with Ron Holland fouling out, to extend the lead back to four to secure the win for Oklahoma City (after Paul Reed cut it to two with a pair of free throws).

After a hot second half, the Pistons went cold in OT, shooting 3-for-11 in the final five minutes. They were without Ausar Thompson (eight points, seven rebounds and five assists) in the extra period, after he fouled out late in the fourth quarter.

With less than 24 seconds left and a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter, Daniss Jenkins turned the ball over with a bad pass. Gilgeous-Alexander nearly made the Pistons pay, sinking a 3-pointer with four seconds left and the game tied at 101. However, the bucket didn’t count because he pushed off. Jenkins’ 3-pointer at the buzzer missed, leading to overtime.

With the loss, the Pistons (54-21) missed out on a chance to clinch the Central Division, with the Cleveland Cavaliers, eight games back with eight games to play entering Monday, also winning. Still, the Pistons are seven games up with seven to play, with a tiebreaker (division record) yet to be decided. Even with the loss, the Pistons – who’ve locked up a playoff spot and homecourt in the first round – edged closer to clinching the top spot in the East, as the Boston Celtics, who entered four games back of the Pistons, lost to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. That dropped the Pistons’ “magic number” (any combo of Pistons wins and Celtics losses) to lock up the East down to three.

Next up for the Pistons

It’s a super-short turnaround for the Pistons, who jet back to Detroit to host the Toronto Raptors (42-32) on Tuesday (8 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network Detroit Extra/MMYD-TV 20). Toronto is tied with Atlanta in the fifth and sixth spots in the Eastern Conference.

Detroit Pistons walking wounded

The Pistons were severely shorthanded, with Jalen Duren (right ankle injury management), Tobias Harris (left hip) and Duncan Robinson (right hip) all missing the game, along with the previously ruled-out Cade Cunningham (left lung pneumothorax) and Isaiah Stewart (left calf strain). They leaned on their depth, with two-way big Tolu Smith and 2025 second-round pick Chaz Lanier rounding out coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s rotation.

Several players stepped up, with Reed (21 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks) leading the way. Javonte Green finished with 19 points and knocked down a season-high five 3-pointers. Kevin Huerter (17 points, six assists, six rebounds), Jenkins (15 points, six assists), Marcus Sasser (12 points, four assists) and Caris LeVert (10 points) also scored in double figures.

Gilgeous-Alexander led all players with 47 points.

Second-half rally for the Pistons

With four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, two big offensive rebounds by Smith allowed the Pistons to take their biggest lead of the night.

The possession ended with a 3-pointer by Jenkins, giving the Pistons a 97-90 lead. But the defending champions battled back, with Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way. He went on a personal 6-0 run, and a corner 3-pointer by Thunder center Jaylin Williams later tied the game at 99 with 1:35 to play.

The Pistons trailed by as many as 15 in the first half but outscored the Thunder in the second half, 58-48. The Pistons made nine of their 17 3-point attempts through the final two quarters and shot 60% overall, while holding the Thunder to 44%. Through the first four periods, they scored 22 points off of 17 Thunder turnovers. The Pistons also owned the offensive glass, grabbing 15 to the Thunder’s six. It allowed them a 16-4 lead in second chance points.

Javonte Green delivers season-best performance

The veteran guard has been an unsung contributor all season. His perimeter defense and 3-point shooting, particularly from the corners, has made him a key glue guy with the second unit. As a starter on Monday, he stepped up and gave one of his best performances in a Pistons uniform.

His five 3-pointers marked a season-high, and all five were timely. His fifth came midway through the fourth period and gave the Pistons the lead during their fourth-quarter push, 90-89. He led an all-around hot night from beyond the arc, and did so while also picking up Gilgeous-Alexander defensively throughout the night.

Defense, outside shooting clicks after first quarter

Trailing by 15 points with under nine minutes left in the second quarter, the Pistons nearly let the game get away. But they responded by locking down defensively and heating up from the arc, which sparked a run and enabled them to take control of the game in the second half.

They held the Thunder to 36.4% shooting (8-for-22) in the second quarter after allowing them to shoot 61.1% (11-for-18) in the first. The Pistons caught fire from the arc in the second half after shooting 30% (6-for-20) in the first half, making four of six attempts in the third period and five of 10 in the fourth.

Watch our podcast, “The Pistons Pulse,” discuss the Cade Cunningham injury fallout, the playoff chase and more:

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Detroit, MI

Detroit Lions ‘Ready’ for All-Pro Moving to Left Tackle

Published

1 day ago

March 30, 2026

Press Room

Detroit Lions ‘Ready’ for All-Pro Moving to Left Tackle

The Detroit Lions may indeed have a position switch in the cards for one of their top offensive linemen.

While no final decision has officially been made, the Lions appear to be bracing for three-time All-Pro selection Penei Sewell to move from right tackle to left tackle for the 2026 season.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell addressed the possibility during his media appearance Monday at the annual league meetings.

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Campbell told reporters that Sewell is ready to make the switch from the right side to the left and that the coach would like to make the move. The move would come after the departure of Taylor Decker, who requested his release from the team after 10 seasons playing the blindside spot.

Sewell has quickly become one of the top offensive tackles in the league. He was the first draft pick made in general manager Brad Holmes’ tenure, as the team picked him seventh overall in the 2021 draft.

In his five NFL seasons, the Oregon product has earned Pro Bowl honors four times and has been a First Team All-Pro three consecutive seasons.

Lions coach Dan Campbell says he’d like to move Penei Sewell to left tackle, and while no final call has been made yet, “He’s ready to do that.”
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 30, 2026

Sewell has made 83 appearances for the Lions, all starts, and has performed at an exceptional level. He earned a four-year, $112 million contract extension prior to the 2024 season for his efforts.

The Lions have had somewhat of a topsy turvy offseason, as they’ve parted ways with key contributors in years past such as Decker, running back David Montgomery and linebacker Alex Anzalone.

Decker’s departure came after he initially announced his intention to return after mulling retirement, but talks with the front office broke down after they wanted him to take a pay cut.

As a result, the Lions now need a left tackle. They signed veteran Larry Borom to a one-year deal in free agency, but Borom’s starting experience has mostly come on the right side. As a result, there’s belief that Sewell could transition to the left side full time.

Sewell made the first eight starts of his career at left tackle in 2021, filling in while Decker was on injured reserve. Since then, he’s played exclusively on the right side with Dan Skipper predominantly filling in for Decker when the veteran was unable to go.

Skipper retired this offseason and has joined the Lions’ coaching staff as an offensive assistant.

The Lions also have 2024 fourth-round pick Gio Manu returning for his third NFL season. Manu was drafted as a developmental prospect, and has made just one start in his first two campaigns and spent the majority of last season on injured reserve.

Last season, Sewell earned a 95.2 overall offensive grade via Pro Football Focus and an elite 96.8 run-blocking grade. He’s proven to be one of the most durable players on the roster, missing just two possible starts in five seasons.

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