Detroit News

Detroit — So much for that. But as the saying goes, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Though it would have been glorious to welcome Justin Verlander back to Detroit, it was never going to happen. Early Wednesday evening, news broke that Verlander turned down an $18.4 million qualifying offer from

There will be no Justin Verlander reunion. At least, not in Detroit Verlander, the right-handed ace and two-time Cy Young Award winner, is re-signing with the Houston Astros, according to his brother, Ben Verlander, who made the announcement on Twitter on Wednesday night. The news came hours after Verlander turned down a qualifying offer from

Ben Walker |  Associated Press Toronto left-hander Robbie Ray bounced back from a dismal season to win the AL Cy Young Award and Milwaukee righty Corbin Burnes returned from a bout of COVID-19 to win the NL’s top pitching prize Wednesday. In the Year of the Pitcher, Burnes led the majors with a 2.43 ERA and

Detroit — A large majority of Tigers’ nation is likely thinking about how glorious it would be to welcome Justin Verlander back. What a story, right? Big No. 35 on the mound at Comerica Park wearing the Old English D once again, pitching the Tigers back into contention. Almost too good to be true. Kind of like a

Detroit — Eduardo Rodriguez once played a significant role, albeit inadvertent, in the end of the Tigers’ wildly successful run from 2006-14. Now, he hopes to play a major role in helping them get back to the postseason and, ultimately, the World Series. The Tigers on Tuesday made official the signing of Rodriguez, a veteran left-handed starter who signed

David Brandt |  AP Sports Writer It didn’t feel like Randy Arozarena was a rookie this season. Tampa Bay’s speedy and powerful outfielder certainly didn’t play like one, either. Arozarena won AL Rookie of the Year honors with a superb follow-up to his 2020 postseason heroics while Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India earned NL Rookie

Detroit — In the early days, back when I actually banged out my stories on a typewriter (wish I was kidding about that), I used to run an occasional Idle Thoughts column. Random Thoughts would have been a more accurate title. It was just a compilation of items that, while maybe of some note, didn’t

Detroit — Veteran starting catcher, check. Veteran starting pitcher, check. Tigers general manager Al Avila continues to make good on his vow to be aggressive this offseason. After trading for catcher Tucker Barnhart, the Tigers Monday morning reached an agreement with veteran left-handed starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez on a five-year deal that will pay him at

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Detroit — Veteran starting catcher, check. Veteran starting pitcher, check. Tigers general manager Al Avila continues to make good on his vow to be aggressive this offseason. After trading for catcher Tucker Barnhart, the Tigers Monday morning reached an agreement with veteran left-handed starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez on a five-year deal that will pay him at

Jake Seiner |  AP Baseball Writer Carlsbad, Calif. — A looming lockout at the expiration of baseball’s collective bargaining agreement Dec. 1 didn’t change much at the general manager’s meetings this week. “I’m not part of the negotiating team, so I mean, business as usual for us,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “Business as usual,” Indians

News, of sorts, was made earlier this week when the Tigers added Elvin Rodriguez to their 40-man roster ahead of 2022. It should be noted that Rodriguez, 23, started 18 games in 2021 at Double-A Erie and had a 5.83 ERA. It is not the brand of single-category number that typically helps a pitcher who

Detroit — For the first time in eight years, there is a repeat winner of the annual Tiger of the Year award, voted on and presented by the Detroit chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America. Jeimer Candelario, a runaway winner in 2020, edged out both Jonathan Schoop and Robbie Grossman to become the

Detroit — The Tigers acted proactively Sunday to avoid losing one of their right-handed pitching prospects to free agency. They added 23-year-old right-hander Elvin Rodriguez to the 40-man roster. Had they not, an intriguing starting pitcher they acquired from the Angels in 2017 in the Justin Upton trade would have become a six-year, minor league free agent.

Detroit — Wednesday, Nov. 3, the day after the Braves won the 2021 World Series, Tigers general manager Al Avila fired the first official shot of the off-season, acquiring catcher Tucker Barnhart from the Reds. He spent the rest of that fruitful day calling the agents of all the free agents at the top of

Detroit — The Tigers didn’t waste any time getting their catcher. On Wednesday, they worked a trade with the Cincinnati Reds for eight-year veteran and two-time Gold Glove winner Tucker Barnhart. The Tigers, who will pick up Barnhart’s club option for $7.5 million for 2022, sent third-base prospect Nick Quintana, a second-round pick in 2019, to

Detroit — The Tigers didn’t waste any time getting their catcher. On Wednesday, they worked a trade with the Cincinnati Reds for two-time Gold Glove winner Tucker Barnhart. The Tigers will send third-base prospect Nick Quintana, the club’s second-round pick in 2019, to the Reds. “Coming into this offseason, we knew that catcher was a priority position

You are 18 years old, capped and gowned and cradling a diploma from Heritage Hall High in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. A few weeks later, you are the third player selected in the 2021 MLB Draft, scooped up by the Detroit Tigers. You sign days later for $6.9 million. You head for a baseball culture and complex

He got his ring. Now, will he get his reunion? That’s a theme of this offseason for Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers — whether the two sides get the band back together, now that the Tigers are exiting their rebuild and appear poised to contend again. Verlander, who won a Cy Young and MVP

Hundreds of pieces of late Detroit Tigers legend Al Kaline’s memorabilia collection, ranging from his Gold Gloves to his golf clubs, will be auctioned off next month at the request of No. 6 himself. Dallas-based Heritage Auctions announced Thursday that the 400-plus-item lot will be up for bid as the centerpiece of its fall sports