Asked Tigers GM Jeff Greenberg if there's anything to read into Skubal's trip to Detroit over the weekend: "No, I think he just wanted to catch the Detroit sports scene. He's obviously a huge sports fan, means so much to the community. It was cool to see just the images of him. He caught a bunch."

Cool tidbit from Elias Sports Bureau: Since saves became an official stat in 1969, no team has ever opened a season with 3 pitchers on its roster that had 20+ saves the previous year. Tigers currently have 3 with Will Vest (23 saves in 2025), Kyle Finnegan (24) and Kenley Jansen (29).

Cleveland Guardians signed free agent RHP Codi Heuer to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

Even when I get to go to sports as a fan, I am reminded of work. 😂😂😂 Glad to see Tarik Skubal in any case.

Tigers' 2-year deal with Kyle Finnegan is official. He'll make $8.75 million next season and $8m in 2027, with a $10m mutual option for 2028 or a $2.25m buyout. Incentives for both seasons: $125k each for 40, 45, 50 and 55 games finished. Justyn-Henry Malloy DFAed to open 40-man roster spot.

Speaking with media today, Kenley Jansen said he's open to whatever role AJ Hinch sees fit, and that 500-save mark is secondary. "It's about winning. Yes, it's an unbelievable number to get. But like I told AJ, I didn't do this to get 500 saves. ... All I'm focusing [on] is try to help a team win."

Tarik Skubal is lined up to be the hottest name on baseball's hot stove next offseason if he hits free agency. But he has been recruited for months ... by Team USA. Their pitch paid off this week with Skubal's commitment to the World Baseball Classic. www.mlb.com/tigers/news/...

USA GM Michael Hill on Skubal: "We got to visit with him at the [MLB] awards in Vegas. We've been honest that it's an honor to put the red, white and blue across your chest. Like, how many times as a player do you get that opportunity? That's what we really tried to impress upon every player."

Last week at Winter Meetings, Team USA GM Michael Hill said “we’re trying” when asked about Tarik Skubal for World Baseball Classic. Manager Mark DeRosa said he was keeping in touch but not trying to press. Today, Skubal committed to pitch in WBC in Spring Training of a contract year.

Bill Raftery asking Jason Benetti what he knows about Tarik Skubal’s future. Benetti asking Raftery if he thinks Alex Bregman will sign with Arizona. Big Ten basketball late night is awesome. Also, here’s hoping Benetti can get Raftery on a Tigers broadcast one day.

RHP Kenley Jansen will wear number 74. Last worn by INF/OF Brendon Davis in 2022. #Tigers

Will Kenley Jansen, 24 saves shy of 500, break Detroit's recent trend of no defined closer? Scott Harris: "I think if you look at our pen, we will have multiple options for the biggest spots in the game. Will we label Kenley the closer? I don't know. That's going to be for A.J. to figure out."

If Cole Waites gets his first MLB save in Detroit early in the season, I expect a celebration.

Detroit Tigers signed free agent RHP Cole Waites to a minor league contract.

Detroit Tigers signed free agent LHP Sean Guenther to a minor league contract.

Detroit Tigers signed free agent RHP Jack Little to a minor league contract.

Kenley Jansen’s deal with Tigers is official. It’s a 1-yr deal worth $11 million. Jansen will make $9m in 2026 with a $12m club option for 2027 or a $2m buyout.

The Giants announced that they signed RHP Jason Foley to a one-year Major League deal. Foley missed most of the 2025 season due to right shoulder surgery and isn't expected to return to the mound until the middle of next year.

Tigers signing of RHP Drew Anderson is official. 40-man roster is now at 39 pending Kyle Finnegan and Kenley Jansen signings.

Kenley Jansen's deal includes a club option for 2027.

Tigers have reached agreement with Kenley Jansen pending a physical, sources told MLB.com. It's a one-year deal, per @feinsand.bsky.social. Tigers' bullpen revamp now includes the active MLB leader in career saves. He's fourth all time with 476.

Story from May on Chase Lee's crazy journey from club baseball at the University of Alabama to his Major League debut, with some RV living along the way: www.mlb.com/news/chase-l...

Tigers getting lefty relief prospect Jonah Simon from Blue Jays in Chase Lee trade, which is now official. The 24-year-old posted a 3.42 ERA with 79 K's over 71 innings across three levels, ending the season at Double-A New Hampshire.

Tigers are trading reliever Chase Lee to Blue Jays for a minor leaguer, as @ken-rosenthal.bsky.social first reported. Move opens up a 40-man roster spot for Kyle Finnegan's return.

Akil Baddoo had 2.1 bWAR for Tigers in 2021, incredible for a Rule 5 pick. He's had an up-and-down career since (he was optioned between Detroit and Toledo 5 times in 2024), but made impact plays and never bemoaned his situation. Great to see him land an MLB deal with a club that fits his skill set.

Akil Baddoo's potential has often been undone by strikeout issues, but he just signed with the Brewers so he'll probably somehow become an All-Star this year

On a personal note, glad to see RJ Petit get a shot in the big leagues. He has always been a good interview and never got miffed at questions about his size, even if it overshadowed a good story about a former 14th-round pick putting in the work to become a big league prospect.

Frame of reference on RJ Petit’s size: He’s the other guy in my profile pic.

Longtime Tigers minor-league OF/1B Austin Murr goes to Phillies in Triple-A portion of Rule 5 Draft.

Tigers select RHP Luke Taggart from Rockies system in Triple-A phase of Rule 5 Draft. The 28-year-old reliever had a very good 2022 season in High-A, but missed all of 2023 and most of 2024 before posting a 5.19 ERA across three levels this past season.

Tigers have lost No. 30 prospect RJ Petit in the Rule 5 Draft. The 6-foot-8, 300-pound RH reliever goes with first overall pick to Rockies, who just hired former Tigers director of pitching Gabe Ribas as an assistant pitching coach.

Alternate headline: Finnegan Begin Again

Tigers have an agreement on a reunion with reliever Kyle Finnegan, as others have reported. It's a 2-year deal worth $19 million. Big boost to what will be a revamped bullpen.

Boras also went into rapid pun mode on Skubal: "Skubal is metrically dominant, both in advanced and traditional measures. He's truly a SABR-proof Tiger. If you want to look at the tale of the Tiger, without Skubs, they're a mystery machine."

Scott Boras says no deadline for Tarik Skubal talks: "We've always been a listener. It's always been our attitude. That's up to Tarik as to how he wants to handle that. I have not discussed anything like that with him. At this point, my instructions are to listen to anything that they have to say."

Good morning from baseball’s Winter Meetings, where the crowd of media has assembled early for Scott Boras’ session. Boras is still a few minutes away.

Dave Dombrowski and Scott Harris led vastly different approaches to Tigers roster building, but they share one key philosophy: No untouchables in trade talks. “I can't do my job without listening,” Harris said. “I can't do my job without exploring anything that may or may not have legs.”

Tigers continue to seek more pitching, starting and relief. "At this point in December, we're trying to add as much pitching as we can," Scott Harris said.

Tigers are expecting RHP Jackson Jobe to be ready to pitch at some point later next season. Jobe underwent Tommy John surgery over the summer. "We expect him to be a boost to our roster in the second half," president of baseball operations Scott Harris said.

Tigers' deal with RHP Drew Anderson is official. It's a one-year, $7 million contract with a $10 million club option for 2027. He'll compete as a starter.

Hello from baseball’s Winter Meetings, where the Tigers could be bidding farewell to one of the best development stories and most popular pitchers to come out of their system. I am, of course, talking about RJ Petit, Rule 5 Draft candidate.

Did you know: last season, there were fewer righty-swinging OF who played regularly and hit well than there'd been since ... 1960?? On a sudden drought that might meaningfully affect the trading season this winter.. --> www.mlb.com/news/rare-fr...

No idea what Xavier’s future holds in NIL era. Had no idea how a program that took on a total reset would approach this historic rivalry. But watching the effort level in this win was nothing short of amazing. They get it. What a fun team to watch.

Carroll's postgame interview on TNT is amazing. This guy's married, said he's gonna go out to dinner tonight with his family, "not do nothing stupid," eat pizza and professes his love of Minute Maid Pink Lemonade. Incredible character for college basketball. Need Xavier to be good.

Holy crap Tre Carroll just endeared himself to Xavier fans forever. A fiery “Zip ‘em up!!” celebration.

Xavier's Tre Caroll looks like he splits time between basketball and fighting alongside Aquaman.

Two years after Drew Anderson made an impression in Tigers camp as a non-roster invite in spring training, the hard-throwing right-hander is coming back on a one-year contract, fresh off a dominant season in KBO. www.mlb.com/news/tigers-...

Ryan Helsley said rumors of teams having interest in him as a starter were "definitely real." He told his agents he could be open to it. Detroit was in on him as a starter. However, Helsley said he "weighed options and risks" and "didn't line up" for him at this point in career.

Alan Trammell is among 16 members of the Contemporary Era Committee that meets Sunday, the Baseball Hall of Fame announced today. Among the players on ballot is Gary Sheffield, who (with permission) wore Trammell's number 3 during his Tiger tenure in 2007-08. Not on ballot: Lou Whitaker.