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  • Christopher Ilitch Pulls Back Curtain on Meeting that Led to Valdez, Verlander Signings

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    Detroit Tigers owner Christopher Ilitch isn’t pretending to be a baseball executive, and that’s very much the point.

    Speaking Sunday on WXYT-FM with Dan Dickerson and Dan Petry, Ilitch offered rare, candid insight into how the organization arrived at its aggressive pitching additions, including the signing of Framber Valdez and the reunion with Justin Verlander. At the center of it all was president of baseball operations Scott Harris, whose vision continues to shape the Tigers’ rise.

    “These baseball operations decisions are his,” Ilitch said as quoted by Evan Petzold. “I just want to support him wherever I can.”

    Scott Harris Brought the Plan — and the Opportunity

    According to Ilitch, the idea of pursuing Valdez didn’t appear out of nowhere. Harris planted the seed early and continued building the case as the offseason evolved.

    “He had actually come early in the offseason and thought that could be something that would be possible as the offseason went on,” Ilitch explained. “As it became more possible, he came. He’s always looking to make smart business — baseball decisions.”

    Ilitch emphasized that Harris has earned trust through preparation and clarity. When Harris believes a move will benefit the team, ownership hasn’t stood in the way.

    “And he knows,” Ilitch said. “Every time he has something that he thinks would benefit the team, I’ve been able to support that. He brought this opportunity.”

    The Moment Valdez and Verlander Collided

    One of the most revealing parts of Ilitch’s comments came when he described how discussions around Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander unexpectedly overlapped.

    “It was kind of fun,” Ilitch said. “We were talking about Framber (Valdez) and JV (Justin Verlander) at the same time.”

    At one point, Ilitch admits he nearly jumped the gun.

    “He’s halfway through his presentation on Framber, and I was like, ‘Oh, this is really good,’ but I said, ‘Scott, maybe we should sign both of them.’”

    Harris wasn’t done.

    “He says, ‘Hold on, I’ve got more to share.’ I guess I’m a good setup man, or I’ve got to curtail my excitement. I should’ve waited for him to make his full presentation.”

    By the end of it, ownership and baseball ops were perfectly aligned.

    “We were really on the same page,” Ilitch said.

    A Clear Chain of Command in Detroit

    Ilitch made it clear that while he’s supportive, he’s not dictating roster construction.

    “These baseball operations decisions are his,” Ilitch repeated. “He’s very bright and very smart. I just want to support him wherever I can.”

    That clarity matters. Under Harris, Detroit has committed real resources to pitching, leadership, and culture, moves that helped push the Tigers to back-to-back postseason appearances and now position them as a legitimate contender entering 2026.

    For the first time in years, ownership, baseball ops, and the clubhouse appear fully aligned — and Ilitch seems more than comfortable letting Scott Harris steer the ship.

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    Don Drysdale

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  • MLB Insider Drops HUGE Update on Tarik Skubal’s Future With Tigers

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    The Detroit Tigers are entering a pivotal offseason, one that could define the next several years of their franchise trajectory. At the center of it all is Tarik Skubal, the left-handed ace who just led Detroit to its first postseason series win since 2013 and is widely expected to capture his second straight AL Cy Young Award.

    According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Tigers are not expected to trade Skubal this winter unless an absolutely stunning offer comes along. And given his value, that’s great news for Tigers fans who want to see the team make a run in 2026.

    Nightengale’s Take: Tigers Won’t Move Their Ace

    In his offseason preview, Nightengale shut down speculation that Detroit might dangle its star pitcher in trade talks:

    “The Tigers will at least listen on Skubal, but would have to be completely overwhelmed. Considering that teams know that he won’t sign an extension and plans to hit free agency in a year commanding the biggest deal for a pitcher in history, no one will dare give up more than two top-10 prospects. The Tigers are expected to hang onto him until at least the July 2026 trade deadline.”

    In other words, Skubal isn’t going anywhere, at least not yet. Detroit knows that his presence on the mound gives them a legitimate chance to contend, and general manager Scott Harris isn’t about to sacrifice that momentum for a mediocre return.

    The Reality: Skubal Is the Engine of a Contender

    Over the past two seasons, Skubal has proven to be one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball. In 2025, he went 13-6 with a 2.21 ERA and 241 strikeouts in 195.1 innings, anchoring the Tigers’ rotation.

    Simply put, when Skubal pitches, the Tigers have a great chance to win. That’s why moving him now, even with free agency looming after 2026, makes little sense. Detroit is fresh off an 87-win campaign, a Wild Card victory over Cleveland, and an ALDS upset of the Yankees before falling to Seattle in the ALCS.

    This is a roster that’s ready to take another leap, not tear things down.

    Why a Trade Makes Little Sense Right Now

    Nightengale’s report highlighted a key point: other teams aren’t willing to meet Detroit’s sky-high asking price. Rival executives know Skubal isn’t signing an extension, which limits his long-term value for any acquiring club.

    Trading him this offseason would bring back less than his true worth, and possibly signal to fans that the Tigers are punting on contention. Harris and manager A.J. Hinch appear to be on the opposite path, especially after Jack Flaherty opted into his $20 million deal and the front office expressed interest in adding another frontline starter and a power right-handed bat.

    If anything, Detroit looks more likely to add than subtract.

    The Big Picture

    Tarik Skubal’s value to the Tigers can’t be overstated. He’s the ace, the tone-setter, and the emotional anchor of a team that believes its championship window is open.

    The front office knows trading him now would undermine everything they’ve built. Holding onto Skubal, even without an extension, signals belief, belief that this roster can win, belief that Detroit is back on the baseball map, and belief that the Tigers are ready to compete with the best in the American League.

    The Bottom Line

    Unless a rival team sends Scott Harris an offer too good to ignore, Tarik Skubal isn’t going anywhere. The Tigers plan to roll into 2026 with their ace at the top of the rotation, ready to chase another deep October run.

    Detroit’s message is clear: they’re not rebuilding anymore — they’re coming to win.

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    Jeff Bilbrey

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  • Report: Detroit Tigers Move On From Coach Following 2025 Season

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    According to multiple reports, including Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic and Andy Martino of SNY, Detroit Tigers first-base coach Anthony Iapoce will not be returning to the coaching staff for the 2026 season.

    Martino was first to report the news, noting that Iapoce, a Long Island native, has experience managing at the Triple-A level and serving as a major league hitting coach for both the Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs before joining Detroit.

    The 2025 season marked Iapoce’s third year on manager A.J. Hinch’s staff, where he was known for his energetic presence and player development work. While the team hasn’t made an official announcement, this move suggests the Tigers could be shaking up their coaching structure heading into what will be a pivotal offseason for the organization.

    With a young core led by Riley Greene, Colt Keith, and Parker Meadows, Detroit is expected to focus heavily on refining its offensive approach heading into 2026, a potential reason for re-evaluating the staff.

    No replacement has been announced yet, but sources around the league expect Hinch and president of baseball operations Scott Harris to begin interviews in the coming weeks.

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    Don Drysdale

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  • Detroit Tigers Make Insulting Offer to Tarik Skubal

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    Following the 2024 season, the Detroit Tigers reportedly made a “noncompetitive” offer to Tarik Skubal. Well, according to a report from Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, we now know that the offer made was not only “noncompetitive”, it was insulting.

    According to sources of Petzold, Detroit offered Skubal a four-year deal worth less than $100 million following the 2024 season. The proposal would have covered his final two arbitration years and just two of his free-agent years, meaning he would have hit the open market after the 2028 season. That’s right, folks, the Tigers offered the reigning Cy Young winner less than $25 million per season!

    Not surprisingly, Skubal said no.

    And he was right to.

    A $250 Million Gap

    Fast forward to this week, and that “noncompetitive” offer resurfaced thanks to a report from Jon Heyman of the New York Post, who revealed that Skubal and the Tigers are now a whopping $250 million apart in negotiations.

    Many estimate that Skubal, the best left-handed pitcher in baseball, could command at least $400 million in free agency after the 2026 season. That puts Detroit’s earlier offer in laughable territory, essentially one-fourth of what the reigning AL Cy Young finalist is expected to be worth on the open market.

    For a front office that preaches “building around pitching,” this latest revelation feels like a slap in the face to fans who’ve watched Skubal develop into one of the league’s most dominant arms.

    What This Says About the Tigers

    The message this sends isn’t a great one. If the Tigers were serious about keeping Skubal as the face of their franchise, a four-year deal under $100 million isn’t how you show it. It’s the kind of offer you make when you want to say you “tried,” not when you actually want to lock down your ace.

    This also reignites the question: Will the Tigers trade Tarik Skubal this offseason? Team president Scott Harris has remained coy, but if negotiations are truly this far apart, Detroit could be forced into a decision sooner rather than later.

    Letting Skubal walk, or trading him for prospects, would send a clear signal that the Tigers are still stuck in rebuild mode, even after years of promising that better days are ahead.

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    Jeff Bilbrey

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  • Scott Harris Sends Message to Tigers Fans After Playoff Clinch

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    The Detroit Tigers are officially back in the postseason. Saturday’s 2-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park secured them a playoff berth for the second year in a row.

    But the story isn’t over just yet. At the time of publishing, the Tigers now hold a 0.5-game lead over the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Central. Cleveland is tied 2-2 with the Texas Rangers in the ninth inning, meaning Detroit’s division fate still hangs in the balance.

    If the Guardians pull off the win, they’ll move into a tie for first place, and because Cleveland owns the head-to-head tiebreaker, they would technically be in control of the division. If they lose, Detroit’s lead grows to a full game, and the Tigers can clinch the Central on Sunday with either a win or a Guardians loss on the final day of the season.

    Scott Harris Preaches Perspective

    Following Saturday’s win, Tigers President of Baseball Operations Scott Harris addressed September’s collapse and why fans should still feel confident heading into October.

    “History. There are countless examples of teams that didn’t play their best baseball ending the regular season, got a fresh start, lined up their pitching and got hot,” Harris said via Evan Petzold. “We’re going to do everything we can to be one of those groups,” Harris said.

    His message: the postseason is a reset. What matters is who plays their best baseball now, not who stumbled a few weeks ago.

    Why the Division Still Matters

    This isn’t just about bragging rights, the stakes are very real. If the Tigers can secure the AL Central, it would mark their first division title in years and give Detroit fans something to celebrate in October. More importantly, taking the division guarantees they’ll host a playoff series at Comerica Park starting Tuesday, giving the Tigers a chance to feed off the home crowd when it matters most.

    On the flip side, if the Guardians edge them out in the standings, the Tigers will be left starting their postseason run on the road, a much tougher task for a club still fighting for consistency. Home-field advantage could be the jolt this team needs after a rough September, and that’s why every pitch on the final day of the regular season carries so much weight.

    What Went Wrong in September

    There’s no sugarcoating it: September was brutal. The Tigers’ offense fell apart in key moments, stranding runners and failing to deliver timely hits. Riley Greene’s bat went cold during the stretch, and he wasn’t the only one. Several middle-of-the-order hitters slumped, leaving the team searching for production.

    Meanwhile, the Guardians surged, taking advantage of Detroit’s collapse to nearly erase what once looked like an insurmountable deficit.

    Scott HarrisTarik Skubal contract extension Tarik Skubal Injury

    Why October Could Be Different

    Despite the collapse, Harris believes the Tigers can flip the switch in October. With Tarik Skubal lined up to pitch Game 1 of any playoff series, Detroit will have an ace capable of carrying them. Add in a bullpen that, when fresh, has shown shutdown potential, and there’s reason to believe this team could catch fire at the right time.

    Final Word

    The Tigers are in. That much is certain. Now, the question is whether they’ll sneak in as a Wild Card or reclaim the division crown that once felt secure.

    With everything coming down to Sunday, the final day of the regular season, Detroit still has a chance to write its own story.

    Editors Correction: A previous version of this story claimed the Tigers won the division last year. This is inaccurate. The story has been updated to reflect that they were a wild card last year.

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    Don Drysdale

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  • Introducing Chloe Stroll

    Introducing Chloe Stroll

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    Chloe Stroll has always played the piano. She could belt out a tune from a young age, something that her mother noticed and encouraged her to keep pursuing. Coming from a sports-oriented family, her brother being Formula 1’s Lance Stroll and her father, Lawrence Stroll, owning Aston Martin’s F1 team, and her husband being Olympic snowboarder Scotty James, Chloe has had her share of sporting events…but something always pulled her back to music.

    I sat down over Zoom with Chloe late night a while back, but for her the day was just beginning. She splits her time between Monaco and Australia, currently residing with Scotty’s family in Australia as he trains. And no, she can’t choose a favorite between the beautiful countries. I asked.

    Chloe has a calming presence, reflecting self-awareness and humility despite the high-profile company she keeps- her wedding in May was star-studded, with attendees like Daniel Ricciardo and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Sitting and talking to her feels easy, like a friend catching up. But that’s the power of music, right? To bring people from all walks of life together, the great equalizer.

    Chloe Stroll is new to music right now, with her debut being “Run” – a single based on a traumatizing break-in that she experienced with her husband. When talking to artists, I know that the writing process can be equally as therapeutic as listening can be for a fan…but it didn’t occur to Stroll to write about it until someone suggested it.

    She chuckles a little at the thought, how crazy it can be when an idea is right in front of you and you need another perspective to see it. But the words came easily for her, and what came of it was the perfect introduction to Chloe’s music.

    It’s not easy to emotionally pour your heart out into a song and share yourself with the world, which is why what Chloe’s doing is so admirable. Taking a completely different life path requires guts, which we can tell she has from her songs. Now, she’s releasing her sophomore single, “Pedestal.”

    Chloe Stroll’s sound is predominantly pop, but what she really wants you to hear is the piano that she so loves. It’s the only instrument she plays, though she muses about how she wishes she played the guitar, and she uses it to her advantage. I asked if she had a specific sound in mind when starting her career, but it honestly wasn’t her goal to be a “pop singer” or a “rock artist.”

    Stroll wants to make music, honest and true to herself, so if it blends genres, so be it. The only territory she won’t go is heavy metal, to which I joke that if I hear her screamo track in a few years that I’ll know something went wrong. We both laugh, because Chloe’s passion is clearly to make music she’s proud of, and that would never happen.

    She grew up singing Broadway tunes, to which we both fangirl momentarily over the glorious show that is Wicked. I had the Elphaba wand, she’s seen it multiple times. But those were never her inspirations, so to speak. She wasn’t growing up thinking she wanted to star in her own Broadway show, making that kind of music.

    Written alongside Scott Harris, “Pedestal” is a powerful, emotional song about heartbreak in any form. It gives you a good idea of Chloe Stroll’s sound, which features her delicate, yet prominent vocals. It has the makings of a classic: heartbreaking lyrics about lost love, talented vocals, and a gut-wrenching hook. You can listen to the song here:

    “‘Pedestal’ is about someone breaking your heart,” Stroll said, “And the reality is, no matter if it is a relationship or friendship, it’s devastating when someone that you held in such high regard has broken your heart. Whether it’s a trial of trust or whatever could have happened, that was where the inspiration for the song came from.”

    As for what’s next, Chloe is planning on dropping more singles in the future similar to “Run” and “Pedestal.” I pushed harder, wondering about perhaps an album or a live performance is on the horizon. But for Chloe, things are fluid. She seems comfortable and confident in where she is as an artist. To me, that’s all you can ask for.

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    Jai Phillips

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