Days of Roar: A Free Press Sports Detroit Tigers Podcast

Pitchers and catchers from the Detroit Tigers report to spring training in eight days, but before the focus shifts to the 2026 season, former general manager Al Avila (responsible for 25 players on the current 40-man roster) joins "Days of Roar" for more than an hour to discuss the Tigers' rebuild, along with other takeaways from his more than 20 years with the Tigers, including the final seven seasons in charge of baseball operations. Topics with Avila include Mike Ilitch vs. Chris Ilitch, the J.D. Martinez and Justin Verlander trades in 2017, who would've been the manager if A.J. Hinch had joined the Chicago White Sox, Carlos Correa and Javier Báez during the 2021-22 offseason and getting fired (then being asked to stay) in August 2022. He also took deep dives into draft pick decisions such as Jackson Jobe over Marcelo Mayer, Jace Jung over Zach Neto and Riley Greene over CJ Abrams, plus the scouting process for No. 1 overall picks Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene. Aside from the Avila interview, Evan Petzold and Chris Brown discuss Tarik Skubal's upcoming arbitration hearing, the ongoing pursuit of mid-tier starters — and if there's any chance Framber Valdez falls into the Tigers' lap.

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There are 15 days until Detroit Tigers pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Lakeland, Florida. On "Days of Roar," Evan Petzold and Chris Brown react to the Tigers signing outfielder Corey Julks to a minor-league contract, evaluating if Julks could unseat Jahmai Jones as the right-handed-hitting outfielder who thrives against left-handed pitching. Evan and Chris debate whether targeting mid-tier starting pitchers in free agency is the best strategy for the Tigers — and who belongs on that list beyond Chris Bassitt, then Chris takes a deep dive into the Tigers' four consensus top-100 prospects: Kevin McGonigle, Max Clark, Bryce Rainer and Josue Briceño, plus who might be the next prospect from the Tigers to join them. Former Tigers catcher/third baseman Brandon Inge joins the show for a 30-minute interview, discussing the opening of his Inge Performance Lab, the Hall of Fame electees (Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones) and memories from his Tigers career. Evan and Chris also take a listener question about when McGonigle and Clark could join the Tigers for their MLB debuts.

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The 2026 international signing period is underway. On "Days of Roar," Evan Petzold and Chris Brown react to the Detroit Tigers signing three international prospects to seven-figure bonuses: catcher Manuel Bolivar, shortstop Oscar Tineo and outfielder Randy Santana — and debate which teenage prospect has the best chance to develop into a special player. We discuss the remaining free agents who fit the Tigers' roster and payroll, such as starter Chris Bassitt and reliever Seranthony Domínguez, then answer a listener question: If the Tigers don't make another move, is the current roster good enough to reach the postseason in 2026? Ben Badler of Baseball America joins the show for a deep dive into the 2026 international class, evaluating the Tigers' top signings and explaining how the Tigers can gain an edge in the international market moving forward. He also provides an update on record-breaking signee Cris Rodriguez from the 2025 international class after his standout performance in the Dominican Summer League. There's more Tarik Skubal vs. Tigers discussion, as we try to figure out if the salary arbitration showdown is really just a Scott Harris vs. Scott Boras battle (or an owners vs. union battle) — and whether there's a path for both sides to walk away satisfied.

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The Tarik Skubal-Detroit Tigers showdown is officially underway. The Tigers and the back-to-back American League Cy Young winner failed to reach an agreement before the arbitration deadline, filing $13 million apart: the Tigers at $19 million; Skubal at $32 million — setting up the most significant arbitration hearing in MLB history. On "Days of Roar," Evan Petzold and Chris Brown react to the massive gap, explain the importance of the $25.5 million midpoint and debate about who will win the case. We also discuss Alex Bregman signing with the Chicago Cubs — and what it means for the Tigers at third base. Evan Drellich, senior writer for The Athletic, joins the show for an in-depth interview about his expertise: labor and business in baseball. He breaks down Skubal's unprecedented arbitration case and impending free agency, looming collective bargaining agreement tensions, the possibility of another lockout and the collapse of regional sports networks.

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In this holiday edition of "Days of Roar," Evan Petzold and Chris Brown dive into the latest news about the Detroit Tigers, including more pitchers being signed to minor-league contracts — and why outfielder Randal Grichuk could be a good fit for the Tigers as a Jahmai Jones backup plan, as long as he's willing to sign a minor-league deal. In the Big 2, Evan and Chris outline their New Year's resolutions for the Tigers in the 2026 calendar year: sign George Springer, extend Kevin McGonigle, prepare for life after Tarik Skubal, find a true No. 2 starter, create stability on the left side of the infield and make a splash via free agency or trade. Los Angeles Angels beat writer Jeff Fletcher, from the Orange County Register, joins the show to share insight about new Tigers reliever Kenley Jansen, providing key information about his presence in the clubhouse as a leader and a personal reason for why his underlying metrics dipped last season. To wrap up, Chris shares six under-the-radar prospects who could break out in 2026: John Peck, Jackson Strong, Angel De Los Santos, Kelvis Salcedo, Cale Wetwiska and Jhonan Coba.

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In a Christmas edition, Evan Petzold and Chris Brown react to the Detroit Tigers designating Justyn-Henry Malloy for assignment, resetting the 40-man roster after adding newcomers Drew Anderson, Kenley Jansen and Kyle Finnegan. We also discuss the signings of several pitchers to minor-league contracts with non-roster invitations to spring training, including Tyler Mattison. For the Big 2, the "Days of Roar" podcast examines Tarik Skubal's visit to Detroit for a weekend of sports and builds a wish list to Santa from the Tigers, featuring a stocking stuffer, a big gift and a Christmas miracle — plus an Alex Bregman update. FanGraphs senior writer Dan Szymborski joins the show to break down the ZiPS projections for the 2026 Tigers, including the rotation, bullpen and offense, with an emphasis on the recent signings to the bullpen, the chances of internal improvement on offense and the future of Kevin McGonigle and Max Clark as top prospects. We close by reviewing Scott Harris' comments about the plan for the offense. Are the Tigers taking the best approach to roster building?

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With the Winter Meetings in the books, Evan Petzold and Chris Brown break down on "Days of Roar" the Detroit Tigers' bullpen upgrades, signing Kyle Finnegan to a two-year contract and Kenley Jansen to a one-year contract with a club option. Can both veteran relievers maintain their past success in the 2026 season? There are reasons for confidence — and reasons for concerns. We also add context to the Drew Anderson signing, then debate the next player to lose a spot on the 40-man roster: Justyn-Henry Malloy or Bailey Horn? Baseball America prospects writer Geoff Pontes joins the show to analyze the Tigers' farm system, including the loss of RJ Petit in the Rule 5 draft, the acquisition of Johan Simon from the Toronto Blue Jays in the Chase Lee trade and the Tigers' updated top-10 prospect rankings, featuring Kevin McGonigle, Max Clark, Hao-Yu Lee and Max Anderson, among others — but not Thayron Liranzo. To wrap up, Petzold and Brown evaluate the starting rotation, including the trade rumors surrounding Tarik Skubal and whether the Tigers are making a mistake by not pursuing frontline starters.

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In this special "Days of Roar" bonus episode, Evan Petzold welcomes USA TODAY Sports MLB columnist and insider Bob Nightengale to recap MLB's Winter Meetings in Orlando. Evan and Bob discuss the biggest storyline of the 2025-26 offseason: Will the Detroit Tigers trade Tarik Skubal, and if not, where will the back-to-back American League Cy Young winner sign after the 2026 season — with 10 years, $450 million as the expectation? Do the Tigers have a chance to sign Alex Bregman if his market collapses again, or is he destined to return to the Boston Red Sox, even on another short-term contract? At the Winter Meetings, Kyle Schwarber signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, Edwin Díaz signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Pete Alonso signed with the Baltimore Orioles. What happens to free-agent position players such as Kyle Tucker, Cody Bellinger, Bo Bichette, and what about free-agent pitchers like Framber Valdez, Tatsuya Imai and Ranger Suarez? For more on the Tigers, Evan and Bob discuss the chances of the Tigers winning the AL Central in 2026 — and what moves the Tigers need to have a chance to win the World Series.

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The Winter Meetings are underway in Orlando, and the Detroit Tigers arrive with several storylines to follow. On "Days of Roar," Evan Petzold and Chris Brown discuss the signing of right-hander Drew Anderson to a one-year contract. He will show up to spring training as a starter, but will he ultimately become a reliever?  We break down what to watch with the Tigers at the Winter Meetings, including big updates on Alex Bregman's free agency and Tarik Skubal's trade situation. Other topics about the Tigers include the pursuit of another starter for the rotation and the remaining high-leverage relievers to upgrade the bullpen. Boston Red Sox radio voice Will Flemming joins the show to discuss Bregman's market, his impact in Boston's clubhouse in 2025 and whether a reunion with the Red Sox is the most likely outcome. He also endorses an all-in Skubal trade for the Red Sox, even though Skubal is set to become a free agent after the 2026 season. To wrap up, Evan and Chris provide — and break down — mock trades for Skubal with the Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees.

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On "Days of Roar," Evan Petzold and Chris Brown evaluate the Detroit Tigers with one week until MLB's Winter Meetings. Right-hander Dylan Cease kicked off free agency this offseason with a seven-year, $210 million contract from the Toronto Blue Jays, raising questions about left-hander Tarik Skubal's market next offseason. We break down agent Scott Boras' latest comments about third baseman Alex Bregman — and whether the Tigers truly need his leadership. We dig into the Tigers' interest in right-hander Michael King in free agency, then break down how president of baseball operations Scott Harris should spend his remaining $35 million (if the payroll target is $175 million). Greg Jewett, a bullpen expert, joins the show to analyze the relievers on the free agent and trade markets, including the best fits for the Tigers. He discusses everything from top-tier options to under-the-radar candidates, plus he reacts to the breaking news of right-handed reliever Devin Williams signing with the New York Mets. To wrap up, Brown digs into a bigger-picture organizational question: Do the Tigers have a pitching problem?

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