00:00Welcome to an inside look at the Tigers' pivotal off-season reflections.
00:05The playing field at Comerica Park still displays the MLB postseason logo in foul territory along both baselines,
00:11with the iconic Old English D position behind home plate.
00:14The postseason signage from the American League Division Series continues to decorate the hallways and concourses,
00:20including the path leading to the interview room, where Tigers manager A.J. Hinch
00:24and president of baseball operations Scott Harris addressed the media on Monday morning.
00:32Aside from that, the ballpark was eerily quiet.
00:35Observing from a silent press box, it resembled a scene from a science fiction film
00:40depicting a world where some catastrophe abruptly halted normal life.
00:45For the Tigers, this was indeed the case.
00:48The recent 15-inning defeat to the Mariners in Game 5 of the ALDS had a profound effect.
00:54I wish we weren't here right now, Harris expressed.
00:58I wish we were in Toronto getting ready for Game 2 of the ALCS.
01:02We were very close to being in Toronto, but unfortunately, we are not.
01:06Monday's gathering was the customary media session the Tigers hold at the conclusion of each season.
01:11For the second consecutive year, the conclusion of the season arrived a bit later than expected due to a postseason run.
01:18However, Monday's atmosphere felt like a mix of celebration and reflection, which speaks volumes about the season the Tigers have just completed.
01:27Harris remarked,
01:27It's essential that we learn from all of it.
01:42When considering the overall perspective, what Harris referred to as a 30,000-foot view, the 2025 season represented progress, marked by another postseason appearance and advancements within the farm system.
01:54Reflecting on the Tigers' position less than three months ago, when they held the best record in the American League, it was a season characterized by stark contrasts, reminiscent of a Halloween thriller.
02:05Here are five key insights from Monday.
02:081. Strikeouts are a concern.
02:11The front office has prioritized dominating the strike zone since Harris took over.
02:15Detroit's offensive difficulties in the latter part of the season were undeniably challenging to witness, much like they were for the fans.
02:23While these struggles were not the only factor contributing to the team's decline, they significantly impacted the situation by making it easier for opponents to exploit weaknesses.
02:32Harris emphasized the need for the organization to enhance their contact hitting, stating,
02:37We need to move the baseball more in the big leagues than we are. This has been a theme for the last two years.
02:42He noted that many players on the current roster exhibit a tendency to strike out, but he believes there are strategies that can be implemented to improve this aspect of their game.
02:51According to Harris, part of the issue stems from hitters becoming overly focused on pulling the ball and deviating from their established game plans too quickly.
02:59The Tigers intend to tackle this issue during their off-season training.
03:04Additionally, the team anticipates that internal improvements will be bolstered by the eventual arrival of Kevin McGonigal, who is Detroit's top prospect and ranked 2nd overall in MLB, along with Max Clark, the Tigers' 2nd prospect and 8th overall, both of whom have demonstrated a propensity for drawing walks, strikeouts this year.
03:231. The Situation with Scooball
03:25The situation regarding Tariq Scooball is becoming increasingly urgent.
03:30He will be eligible for free agency after the next season, and there has been little communication from either party about the possibility of a contract extension.
03:38When asked about his future following Game 5, Scooball suggested that inquiries regarding his situation should be directed to the front office.
03:46Currently the Tigers are not providing much information on the matter, whether it pertains to a potential contract extension or trade discussions.
03:55Harris commented,
03:56I've learned over time that general questions often get distorted and turned into narratives.
04:02I cannot comment on our players being traded, nor can I discuss free agents or players from other teams.
04:07Therefore I will refrain from making any comments on the subject.
04:10He added,
04:11Tariq is a Tiger.
04:13I hope he wins the Cy Young for the 2nd year in a row.
04:15He is an outstanding pitcher, and we are fortunate to have him.
04:19That's all I can say about it.
04:211. Insufficient trade deadline
04:23In the lead up to the July 31st trade deadline the Tigers acquired 6 pitchers.
04:28However, by the conclusion of the regular season, they had released 2 of these players.
04:32Additionally, 2 others did not participate in the division series, and 1 reliever remained unused during a lengthy 15-inning game that saw 8 different Tigers pitchers take the mound.
04:46Among this group, Kyle Finnegan emerged as the most impactful player contributing to the Tigers' postseason efforts.
04:53Despite the fact that the Tigers did not sacrifice much in these trades, the overall return was not very effective.
04:59This issue was the first topic addressed by Harris when he spoke to reporters on Monday.
05:05When asked if he regretted not enhancing the team's performance at the trade deadline, Harris responded,
05:10I don't think I've ever gone through a deadline completely satisfied with the results.
05:14It's a really difficult challenge, and I think this deadline is another instance where I wasn't entirely pleased with the outcomes.
05:22However, do I regret not finalizing the deals that were available to us at the deadline?
05:27I do not, and here's why.
05:28I believe I am now even more assured, than I was, at that time, that the trades we chose not to pursue would have disappointed our fans more than if we had not made any trades at all.
05:40Harris did not provide specific details but mentioned that the players involved in trade discussions would have required them to give up either a player from their postseason roster or one of their top prospects, along with additional assets.
05:51He noted that, in some instances, the players they retained for the postseason performed better than the potential trade acquisitions.
05:57Looking back, Harris indicated that he might have considered offensive options more seriously.
06:02If I could go back and do it all over again, he stated.
06:06I would concentrate on anticipating some of the changes that we may or may not have recognized in August, which led to the underperformance and difficulties in September.
06:15That's the crucial question.
06:171. The Importance of Youth Development
06:20There are opportunities for emerging prospects to shine.
06:24A key topic in any off-season media conversation regarding the Tigers under Harris is the development of their prospects.
06:30This year, with players like McGonigal, Clark and Josue Briseño, who is ranked as the Tigers' No. 3 prospect and No. 33 overall, on the verge of joining the Major League team, the discussion remains relevant.
06:41McGonigal is currently playing third base in the Arizona Fall League to enhance his chances of making his debut with Detroit next season.
06:50Harris expressed confidence in the players who had outstanding performances in AA, stating,
06:56I expect the players that posted dominant years in AA brunt
07:00AA, to factor into our big league team next year.
07:07They've earned it.
07:08They posted incredible years as 20-year-olds, very young for the level.
07:11I expect their progress to continue, and I expect them to be in Detroit at some point next year.
07:17He further acknowledged the impact of these prospects on the team's winter plan, saying,
07:21Does that affect what we do this winter? Absolutely. How could it not?
07:26Harris emphasized the need for the organization to enhance its ability to transition prospects into the Major Leagues.
07:33Additionally, he noted that while the Tigers have developed depth in their positional players,
07:38they are facing challenges with pitching depth, largely due to injuries.
07:42The depletion of Detroit's pitching rotation has left the team's minor league system lacking depth, particularly beyond Troy Melton.
07:49Harris emphasized the need for improvement in both the health and consistency of their pitchers.
07:54He noted that the season began with a significant number of injuries, and that this trend continued throughout the year.
08:01These injuries impacted the team's performance on both offense and defense,
08:05but the effects were particularly pronounced in their pitching staff.
08:08Harris pointed out that injuries at both the Major and Minor League levels diminished their depth,
08:13preventing them from generating the additional pitching support needed during the crucial months of August and September.
08:20He believes that the injuries and challenges faced in both leagues were major factors contributing to the team's difficulties as the season progressed.
08:28Therefore, he stressed the importance of the organization making necessary adjustments to enhance player health and performance as the season advances.
08:36What do you believe should be the team's top priority moving forward?
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