Detroit, MI

Where the Detroit Tigers stand heading into the Winter Meetings

Published

1 year ago

December 6, 2024

Where the Detroit Tigers stand heading into the Winter Meetings

DETROIT — Two months after the excitement and noise of the Detroit Tigers’ surprise playoff run, their offseason has been … incredibly quiet.

Such can be the nature of MLB offseasons, particularly in a year when much of the market is in a holding pattern waiting for Juan Soto to sign and other dominoes to begin their tumble.

One thing that’s clear: Rather than pressing down the accelerator, the Tigers front office appears set on remaining patient and opportunistic in constructing its 2025 roster.

But all this does not mean the team won’t make additions before the start of spring training. The Tigers enter next week’s Winter Meetings in Dallas with two key questions coming into focus: How close are they to adding a starting pitcher? And what route will they take to add needed offensive impact?

The pitching market

Here, we have movement across the league. Blake Snell signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers for five years and $182 million. The Los Angeles Angels signed Yusei Kikuchi for three years and $63 million. The New York Mets signed Frankie Montas for two years and $34 million. Old friend Matthew Boyd signed with the Chicago Cubs for two years and $29 million. Just Thursday, the Athletics agreed to terms with Luis Severino for three years and $67 million.

The Tigers are thought to again be seeking at least one starting pitcher on a one- or two-year contract. Although Max Fried and Corbin Burnes remain factors atop the market, more pitchers could begin signing rapidly over the coming days.

After a rough outing in the NLDS, Walker Buehler pitched a combined 10 scoreless innings in the NLCS and World Series. (Harry How / Getty Images)

Detroit’s most interesting options here include Walker Buehler, Michael Soroka and Andrew Heaney, among others. The Tigers might be turned off by the qualifying offers attached to others such as Nick Pivetta and Sean Manaea. Regardless, expect the Tigers to seek another high-upside arm they believe they can optimize like they did with Michael Lorenzen and Jack Flaherty over the past two seasons.

Buehler, a two-time All-Star who slumped to a 5.38 ERA last season, could be the white whale. But can the Tigers get him on a short-term deal? These are the sort of existential questions hanging around the franchise. Despite an estimated $77.6 million on the team’s books, there is little indication the Tigers are preparing to spend like anything more than, at best, a mid-market team.

The hunt for a third baseman?

For as thrilling as their fall postseason run was, the Tigers still have a long way to go. Consider the fact they ranked 29th, above only the dreadful Chicago White Sox, with a .300 team on-base percentage last season.

There is merit to Scott Harris’ previous comments about most of the Tigers’ improvements needing to come from internal development. But it would be a disservice to fans and existing players if the team does not make a meaningful attempt to bolster its lineup.

Harris has previously stated an interest in adding a right-handed bat, either an infielder or outfielder. First and third base look like the most natural fits, and the Tigers are thought to have been looking deeper at their options in recent days.

At third base, some of the options are appealing. What remains murky is whether the Tigers have any desire to compete at the top end of the market, where Alex Bregman looms as perhaps the most perfect match. Of course, courting Bregman’s services could require outbidding the likes of the incumbent Houston Astros, the New York Yankees and perhaps other teams that miss out on Soto.

If Bregman is not a realistic option, where else might the Tigers’ attention turn? There have been rumblings about an interest in Ha-Seong Kim, the San Diego Padres infielder who underwent labrum surgery in October and is expected to miss the early portion of the season. If Kim seeks a one-year pillow deal, he could be a highly interesting option. There’s also smoke surrounding Nolan Arenado, whom the St. Louis Cardinals are actively trying to trade. Arenado seems alluring and risky. The 33-year-old is an eight-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner who has dealt with minor injuries and hints of regression over the past two seasons. Arenado is due $74 million over the next three seasons, but even in a down year, he was worth 3.1 fWAR in 2024.

For Arenado to become a Tiger, he would first have to waive his no-trade clause, which could be far from a given since the Tigers would also have to believe he could overcome the lurking signs of decline: Arenado’s bat speed ranked in MLB’s 28th percentile last season. His average exit velocity was only 86.3 mph, ranking in the eighth percentile. Although he still hit .295 against fastballs, his 31.6 percent hard-hit rate was the lowest of his career. Arenado has crushed lefties for much of his career, but he has had reverse splits over the past two years, including only a .646 OPS against left-handed pitching last season, something that very much runs counter to the Tigers’ specific desire for a right-handed bat. Detroit had a team OPS of only .660 against left-handed pitching in 2024.

If the Tigers still seek a corner infielder, the Miami Marlins’ Jake Burger is another player to watch. The high-power, low-contact third baseman could add thump to the Tigers lineup but was worth only 1.4 fWAR last season.

Detroit could just as easily pursue a first baseman. Christian Walker could be the best free-agent fit. Carlos Santana or Justin Turner might be cheaper alternatives. And Yandy Díaz also exists as a potential trade target.

Even if Soto signs with a team in the coming days, the hitting market might play out slower as big names such as Bregman and Pete Alonso seek lucrative deals of their own.

But as the Tigers increase conversations with agents and opposing executives at the Winter Meetings, we might leave Dallas with a clearer picture of the team’s plans.

(Top photo of Scott Harris, A.J. Hinch and Jeff Greenberg: Junfu Han / Imagn Images)

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Detroit, MI

Michigan State Police sends message to drivers after trooper involved in hit and run:

Published

6 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Michigan State Police sends message to drivers after trooper involved in hit and run:

“Slow down and move over” is the message that Michigan State Police is sending to drivers after one of its troopers in a parked patrol car was struck while investigating a crash this weekend. The driver of that vehicle fled the scene.

Michigan State Police tells CBS News Detroit that we’re two months into the year, and it has had six incidents across the state where patrol cars were struck by oncoming vehicles. One of those incidents occurred on Sunday evening.

“Could have been much more tragic,” said MSP Lieutenant Rene Gonzalez, First District public information officer.

Michigan State Police

Gonzalez says on Sunday, an MSP trooper was near M-10 and Schaefer Highway in Detroit, simply doing his job, when his patrol car was hit from behind.

“Trooper was out there, and he was investigating a crash when, at the time, a Jeep SUV drove into the rear of the parked vehicle,” Gonzalez said.

The impact slid the trooper’s car into a concrete wall. The 29-year-old Detroit woman driving the Jeep SUV struck the center median, got out of the vehicle, and ran away.

“Not sure why they did it. Maybe not paying attention if they were distracted. They’re attempting to locate her at this time,” said Lt. Gonzalez.

The trooper walked away with minor injuries. Gonzalez says this incident is an example of why Michigan’s Move Over Law was put in place many years ago. The law, which went into effect in 2019, requires drivers to move over into the next lane and reduce their speed by at least 10 mph when emergency or service vehicles — police, fire, rescue, ambulance and road service — have their lights activated.

Drivers who are not able to move over are still required to reduce their speed.

“Trying to do our jobs, however, people are not paying attention. The law is easy. It’s simple. You see us, you see our lights activated, you have to slow down ten miles below the posted speed limit, and then if able, move over to the next occupied available lane,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez says crashes like this can be deadly and often avoided.

“One life lost over something that was a totally preventable crash, it’s way too much. We’re asking that you slow down and move over when you see our lights. It’s a simple message that we’ve been pushing out for years,” he said.

Sunday’s crash remains under investigation. Michigan State Police detectives are still working to track down the 29-year-old suspect.

In the meantime, police are out enforcing the Move Over Law.

In:

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Detroit, MI

Rex Satterfield’s 1956 Bel Air takes 2026 Ridler Award in Detroit

Published

18 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Rex Satterfield’s 1956 Bel Air takes 2026 Ridler Award in Detroit

Rex Satterfield hoped to see his 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible snag one of the BASF Great 8 finalist spots at this year’s Detroit Autorama. But winning the Ridler Award — one of the highest honors in the custom car business — was something he didn’t foresee.

“It’s just overwhelming right now,” said the man from Russellville, Tennessee, as he left a ballroom at downtown’s Huntington Place and made his way back to the show floor on Sunday, March 1. “We weren’t expecting this.”

Getting a car recognized as one of the BASF Great 8 vehicles is a win in and of itself as they are considered the “absolute pinnacle of custom automotive craftsmanship worldwide,” according to the show. The cars undergo an intensive judging process.

And this effort had an unexpected and emotional complication with the passing in December 2024 of the original builder, Jeff Wolfenbarger, who was battling cancer even as he continued working on the car named “Elegant Lady.”

Kevin Riffey of Kevin Riffey’s Hot Rods and Restorations in Knoxville stepped in to finish the work Wolfenbarger started. He’d had two other cars in the past make the Great 8. He said the goal with this vehicle was straightforward, calling it a “purpose-built show car.”

From its prominent spot at the front of the show floor, “Elegant Lady” sported a creamy exterior, dubbed Light Coffee. The car carries a 1,000 horsepower Don Hardy race engine. The gauges, wheels and gas tank are custom, and the dash is from a 1956 Pontiac.

Satterfield plans to show the car around some and enjoy the moment with it. He said he’s been a car guy since he was a little kid.

The Ridler Award, named in honor of Detroit Autorama’s first publicist, Don Ridler, comes with a $10,000 prize. It was awarded on the final day of this year’s Detroit Autorama, which ran Friday, Feb. 27-Sunday, March 1. This was the event’s 73rd year.

Eric D. Lawrence is the senior car culture reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Send your tips and suggestions about cool automotive stuff to elawrence@freepress.com. Become a subscriber. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.

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Detroit, MI

Detroit’s Sloppy Chops restaurateur Mike Brown fatally shot, 2 injured

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Detroit’s Sloppy Chops restaurateur Mike Brown fatally shot, 2 injured

Detroit restaurateur Michael “Mike B.” Brown was fatally shot early Saturday morning in a triple shooting.
The incident occurred outside a cocktail bar on the city’s west side, and police are seeking information.
Brown was a prominent figure in Detroit’s hospitality scene, known for his “Sloppy” brand restaurants.
His establishments were seen as significant in the rise of new Black-owned businesses in the city.

Detroit restaurateur and nightlife mainstay Michael “Mike B.” Brown was fatally shot early Saturday morning on the city’s west side, a violent incident that also left two other people injured and sent shockwaves through Detroit’s hospitality and entertainment communities.

According to Detroit police, the shooting occurred outside Suite 100, a cocktail bar on Schaefer Highway near Puritan Avenue. Investigators are urging anyone with information to come forward. As of Sunday afternoon, authorities had not announced any suspects or arrests.

“At approximately 4:30 a.m., Saturday, there was a triple shooting that occurred at 15789 Schaefer,” Detroit Police Department (DPD) media relations manager Jasmin Barmore wrote in an official statement Sunday afternoon. “Two of the vicims were found in front of the location and the third across the street from the location. Unfortunately, the victim found across the street from the location, Mikey Brown, succumbed to his injuries.

“The Detroit Police Department extends their condolences to the family and is asking the community for assistance with this incident. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to please contact DPD’s homicide unit or, they can submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers or Detroit Rewards TV.”

Brown, 52, had spent decades building a name for himself across Detroit’s club and restaurant circuits, evolving from party promoter to business owner and, in recent years, a culinary entrepreneur with expanding ambitions. His death comes at a moment when he had been working to grow his “Sloppy” restaurant brand – a move that aligned with the rise of new Black-owned establishments reshaping the city’s dining landscape.

His first major restaurant venture, Sloppy Chops, opened in 2020 on West McNichols just off the Lodge Freeway. The steakhouse featured high-end cuts like ribeyes and tomahawks, but it quickly drew wide attention for its low-cost lamb chop specials – a dish with a fervent local following and long-standing ties to the city’s food culture.

A year later, Brown launched Sloppy Crab, later renamed the Crab Sports Bar, on East Jefferson Avenue near the Renaissance Center. The seafood spot mixed Detroiters’ love for crab dishes with the energetic, nightlife-forward atmosphere Brown had refined during his years in the entertainment scene. Occasional cover charges, signature strong cocktails and celebrity drop-ins helped make the venue one of downtown’s most animated destinations, placing it alongside longstanding nightlife pillars such as Floods Bar & Grille and Sweetwater Tavern.

Both restaurants emerged during a period when Detroiters were increasingly vocal about who new development served. Sloppy Crab’s proximity to the riverfront offered an answer to residents who wondered where Black diners fit into the city’s transforming downtown, while Sloppy Chops demonstrated that restaurants with the energy and polish of downtown destinations could thrive in the neighborhoods as well.

As of Sunday afternoon, more than 1,000 comments expressing sadness and shock had flooded a pinned post on Brown’s Instagram page, along with a number of posts on his Facebook profile.

On her own page, Darralynn Hutson, an award-winning journalist, author, documentarian and media strategist who has provided content to a host of media outlets including the Detroit Free Press, shared photos of herself with Brown.

“I had the opportunity to interview Mike a few years ago for a feature in Food & Wine and I remember how reluctant he was about sitting down to talk,” Hutson recalled. “Interviews weren’t his thing – he was much more comfortable building than explaining. I had to call him more than 20 times to set up the interview. He didn’t care about Food & Wine. But once we ate and got into conversation, what came out was his commitment to creating something for his Detroit.”

Brown’s influence stretched far beyond his menus. His establishments became recognizable gathering places, and his presence – familiar from downtown corridors to Dexter Avenue – made him a significant cultural figure in Detroit’s nightlife and, later, its dining renaissance.

His death leaves both industries mourning a personality whose ambitions were still growing, and whose imprint on the city’s social fabric remains unmistakable.

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