Days of Roar: A Free Press Sports Detroit Tigers Podcast

The Detroit Tigers have wrapped up their first week of spring training games, with just 24 days left until Opening Day on March 27 against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. Tigers TV analyst Andy Dirks joins the "Days of Roar" podcast to break down the upcoming season, both for the team and the broadcast booth. He answers these key questions, among other things: What's it like working with Jason Benetti and Dan Dickerson? How does it feel as a player to be in a roster battle? Should Jace Jung be the everyday third baseman? Meanwhile, the Tigers face some key injury concerns, with Matt Vierling and Parker Meadows sidelined. Those injuries leave questions about center field and the Opening Day roster. On the pitching side, Jackson Jobe is making a strong case for a rotation spot after two starts this spring. Other topics include roster predictions, Andrew Chafin's minor league deal and the upcoming first round of cuts. 

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The first two weeks of spring training are in the books, and the Detroit Tigers are off to an undefeated start with a 2-0 record in the Grapefruit League. As roster battles heat up, key storylines emerge, including Jace Jung’s push for the third base job, Trey Sweeney’s situation at shortstop, and Justyn-Henry Malloy’s power bat. The Tigers are hoping Jung can lock down third base for the 2025 Opening Day roster, but will his spring performance be enough to secure the spot?

Bobby Scales, the Tigers’ radio analyst, joins the "Days of Roar" podcast to discuss his experience reporting to spring training both as a player and as an executive. He shares his insights on the offseason additions, Jung’s opportunity to win the job at third base, the expectations for young players, and how to assess spring training performances.

With Alex Cobb’s injury creating an opening in the starting rotation, a Kenta Maeda vs. Casey Mize competition for the fifth spot is underway. What have we learned about Kenta Maeda’s early camp performance? Plus, updates on Colt Keith and Justyn-Henry Malloy at first base, thoughts on the automated ball-strike challenge system, and when we can expect Javier Báez to make his spring debut.

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Spring training is underway for the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland, Florida. There were many takeaways in the first five days of camp, including Riley Greene's diet, Spencer Torkelson's comments, Casey Mize's sliders and Jace Jung's opportunity, among other things. Most notably, the Tigers have a businesslike vibe behind the scenes without letting their emotions get too high or too low. The same was true for the Tigers during their 31-11 run to the postseason in the 2024 season. The culture has translated into the 2025 season. Evan and Mark share their evaluations of the Tigers in the 2024-25 offseason, featuring five external additions: Alex Cobb, Gleyber Torres, Tommy Kahnle, Jack Flaherty and John Brebbia. Who were the best additions, and who could've been left on the free-agent market? As for Cobb, the veteran suffered a right hip injury and won't be ready for Opening Day. How will the Tigers replace Cobb in the starting rotation? It could be a competition between Maeda and Mize.

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The Boston Red Sox signed third baseman Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million contract with an opt-out clause after the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers offered six years, $171.5 million with an opt-out clause after the 2026 season. But Bregman turned down a long-term contract from the Tigers in favor of a short-term contract from the Red Sox, giving him $40 million per season and the option to return to the free-agent market as soon as the upcoming offseason. What's next for the Tigers at third base? Could a Nolan Arenado trade happen? Is Matt Vierling the everyday third baseman? What about prospect Jace Jung? This breaking news episode of the "Days of Roar" podcast examines every possibility for the Tigers with 2025 spring training underway.

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Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal — the 2024 American League Cy Young winner — joins the "Days of Roar" podcast as pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Lakeland, Florida. Skubal talks about his 2024 season, the development of his pitches, and his expectations for the 2025 season, along with discussing fatherhood, lessons learned from former teammate Jordan Zimmermann, joining the MLB Players Association executive subcommittee, what he thinks about free agency, and the make of his new SUV. Marquee Sports Network player development analyst Lance Brozdowski also joins "Days of Roar" to evaluate all of the starting pitchers on the Tigers' 40-man roster, including his thoughts on Jackson Jobe's new pitch. Evan and Mark also break down the most important storyline for the Tigers in spring training. (Hint: It's third base.)

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The countdown is on: Detroit Tigers pitchers and catchers report in nine days to spring training in Lakeland, Florida. This past week, the Tigers signed starting pitcher Jack Flaherty to a two-year, $35 million contract and relief pitcher Tommy Kahnle to a one-year, $7.75 million contract, but third baseman Alex Bregman remains a free agent. The Tigers are still interested in signing Bregman, even after signing Flaherty, but what are the odds the Tigers will land him? After Bregman talk, Evan and Mark discuss the player they're most excited to watch throughout spring training. Evan selected a player who needs to hit for more power; Mark selected a potential MVP candidate. For our guest, LaMond Pope — the Chicago White Sox beat writer for the Chicago Tribune — joins "Days of Roar" to explain the latest happenings on the South Side, from covering the worst team in modern MLB history last season to a new manager in Will Venable this season. Pope also discusses the Garrett Crochet trade, several big-name prospects in the White Sox farm system and the general direction of the organization under general manager Chris Getz. To wrap up, Evan and Mark talk more about Jack Flaherty signing with the Tigers.

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The Detroit Tigers signed right-hander Jack Flaherty to a two-year, $35 million contract with an opt-out clause after the first season. He pitched for the Tigers last season, posting a 2.95 ERA in 18 starts, before the Tigers traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the 2024 trade deadline for two prospects. Evan and Mark break down the Flaherty reunion, how president of baseball operations Scott Harris structured the contract, the current state of the Tigers' starting rotation and how the Flaherty signing impacts the Alex Bregman sweepstakes — all in this special "Days of Roar" breaking news episode. Check back every Monday for regularly scheduled episodes.

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Producer note: This podcast has been updated with comments from president of baseball operations Scott Harris.

The Detroit Tigers signed right-handed reliever Tommy Kahnle to a 1-year, $7.75 million contract. Evan and Mark break down the signing, discuss the current state of the Tigers' bullpen and explain how the Kahnle signing impacts the Alex Bregman sweepstakes in this special "Days of Roar" bonus episode. Stay tuned every Monday for regularly scheduled episodes.

You can find this week's earlier episode wherever you listen to podcasts including:

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In this episode of "Days of Roar," Detroit Tigers top prospect Jackson Jobe joins the show to discuss his 2024 MLB debut, offseason adjustments for two-strike counts, pitch development and personal/team goals for the 2025 season, among many other things. As one of MLB's top five prospects, Jobe is projected to join the Tigers' Opening Day starting rotation in 2025. Evan and Mark also dive into the Alex Bregman saga with new insight from Houston Astros beat writer Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The Astros re-entered the race to re-sign Bregman, putting their old six-year, $156 million offer on the table again. Could the Tigers counter with a more lucrative offer to bring him to the team? Hear how Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal's endorsement might sway the Bregman decision. Aside from Bregman, is there any hope for a reunion with Jack Flaherty?

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Former Detroit Tigers player Carlos Guillén — a three-time All-Star who played 14 MLB seasons — joins the "Days of Roar" podcast to discuss teammate Ichiro Suzuki joining the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Guillén also talks about three other names in the Hall of Fame conversation: C.C. Sabathia, Alex Rodriguez and Carlos Beltran. Does A-Rod deserve to be in the Hall of Fame despite being suspended for performance-enhancing drugs? Guillén has an opinion about that. After the Hall of Fame talk, Guillén breaks down his eight-year career with the Tigers, which included playing for Hall of Fame manager Jim Leyland, getting to the World Series in 2006 and hitting a legendary home run off Jered Weaver. In other segments of the show, Evan and Mark provide the latest update on the Alex Bregman situation, check out the available relievers on the free-agent market, evaluate Roki Sasaki's decision not to meet with the Tigers and consider what it means if the Tigers are done adding to the 2025 roster.

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