| Detroit Free Press
Detroit Tigers GM Al Avila explains manager search, offseason expectations
Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila speaks with reporters Friday, October 2, 2020, following his team’s season to share offseason expectations.
The Detroit Tigers are “making progress” on finalizing a deal to hire A.J. Hinch as their new manager, two people with direct knowledge of the situation told the Free Press late Thursday night.
The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because of the nature of the discussions.
There’s a “real possibility” a deal could be reached as soon as Friday, barring setbacks in negotiations, one of the sources said.
On Thursday, Hinch interviewed with general manager Al Avila. He completed his year-long MLB suspension with the end of the 2020 World Series on Tuesday. The 46-year-old was suspended for his role in the 2017 Houston Astros sign-stealing plot.
He has a career 570-452 record as a major-league manager over parts of seven seasons with the Astros and Arizona Diamondbacks from 2009-19.
For subscribers: Why the Detroit Tigers are frontrunners to hire A.J. Hinch as manager
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Evan Petzold is a sports reporting intern at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold.