The Tigers right now are the best kind of 'look at them now' team. For years we were talking about how all the development was for nothing, or how so much didn't go according to plan, or how many free agent signings weren't panning out. And then, like the flip of a switch, last year the Tigers became amazing, made a playoff run, and are now the best team in the AL. This team has used Casey Mize, Spencer Turnbull, Javier Baez, Kerry Carpenter and Dillon Dingler, all pieces previously thought useless, to ascend to the very top of the food chain. Not since the 2016 Cubs have I been more pleased to see a team become truly great.
I'm also very happy to see Gleyber Torres still get a starring role in all this, despite not getting the hero's welcome he got in the Bronx every day for like 6 years. I was hesitant seeing Gleyber go to Detroit, because the last handful of Yankees to leave haven't fared especially well. Gio Urshela and Gary Sanchez have struggled to find long-term homes. Austin Romine, himself escaping to Tampa, never was the same. Didi Gregorius had a good year or so in Philly then petered off. I guess Jameson Taillon and Clay Holmes have been successful, but sporadically. Torres was good as a Yankee, but came infuriatingly close, without surpassing, to great. I figured the Tigers would get something, though not the quality. And as it turns out, Gleyber was a much needed missing infield piece, hitting .272 with 30 RBIs and 5 homers. Basically continuing his Yankee run, which is a good thing. Torres plugged in alongside Greene, Torkelson, Carpenter and Baez is leading to a very nice offensive run for this team.
Also, I need to single out Will Vest, because this guy is one of the best relievers in baseball, and it came out of nowhere. Vest was drafted by the Tigers, was claimed by Seattle prior to the 2021 season, didn't do much and was returned. He's sort of mulled around the bullpen for a while, having two straight seasons of exemplary work starting in 2023, and now he's graduated to RP1 and has 12 saves and a 1.83 ERA. Though Jason Foley had the position down prior to this year, his demotion left the field open, and Vest has not only taken the mantle but earned it, providing stability. The bullpen as a whole is very strong this year, with Tommy Kahnle [another departed Yankee], Brant Hurter, Chase Lee and Tyler Holton providing a solid core. It also helps that the rotation of Skubal-Flaherty-Mize-Montero-GipsonLong doesn't really need them to do much other than hold the line.
The Tigers are now at the point where they can outhit, and outpitch, the competition. The Twins, Royals and Guardians have all shown serious flaws this season, and while the Tigers obviously have some weak spots, they comparatively have less to worry about immediately. They're making great pace, and can hopefully withstand the divisional rivals to make something of this great team.
Coming Tonight: There's been a video going around of Justin Turner wagging a pair of fake cajones in celebration that somehow got caught on a broadcast, and I want the record to show that technically it was this guy's fault.
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