• What does Santa need to bring Detroit Tigers for Christmas? ZiPS developer Dan Szymborski shares 2025 projections
    Dec 24 2024

    In a Christmas edition, Evan and Mark discuss what Santa needs to bring the Detroit Tigers. The wish list includes the health of star players, some luck, a lot of player development and a right-handed hitter — namely Alex Bregman. Numerous first basemen have been traded or signed in free agency, but the Tigers haven't been involved in those moves. What does that mean for Spencer Torkelson? FanGraphs senior writer Dan Szymborski, who developed the ZiPS projection system, joins Days of Roar for the first time to share 2025 projections for the Tigers, covering the entire team as well as individual players. After discussing the Tigers' roster, Szymborski explains how his projection model produced player comparisons for top prospects Kevin McGonigle (compared to Alex Bregman) and Max Clark (compared to Johnny Damon). To wrap up, Evan and Mark explore the likelihood of Alex Bregman signing with the Tigers, especially since it's now confirmed that Bregman won't be returning to the Houston Astros.

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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Detroit Tigers sign Alex Cobb, but what's the plan to upgrade offense?
    Dec 17 2024

    The Detroit Tigers signed right-hander Alex Cobb to a one-year, $15 million contract, adding the 37-year-old veteran to their starting rotation alongside Tarik Skubal, Reese Olson and Jackson Jobe. But is Cobb the right move? Evan and Mark explore the pros and cons of the Cobb signing, along with the Tigers' need to upgrade at third base or first base to contend for the American League Central in 2025. Could free agents like Alex Bregman and Paul Goldschmidt or trade candidates like Yandy Díaz fill the gaps? Things are trending in the right direction with Bregman. The guys break down the potential competition for Spencer Torkelson as Colt Keith and Justyn-Henry Malloy take ground balls at first base this offseason. Evan also shares his 2025 Opening Day roster prediction 1.0, highlighting concerns at third base, first base, shortstop, the bench and the bullpen. Additionally, how do the Max Fried and Blake Snell contracts impact Tarik Skubal's value, both now and in the future?

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    59 mins
  • Winter Meetings recap: MLB insider Bob Nightengale on Alex Bregman, Tarik Skubal, Roki Sasaki
    Dec 13 2024

    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 Dallas. Evan and Bob break down the biggest news from the past week, including outfielder Juan Soto signing a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets. Do the Detroit Tigers have a chance to sign third baseman Alex Bregman? If not, should the Tigers consider trading for third baseman Nolan Arenado? Why did the Boston Red Sox trade for left-hander Garrett Crochet? How is Buster Posey different from Farhan Zaidi as the president of baseball operations for the San Francisco Giants? Why did the Cleveland Guardians trade Gold Glove-winning second baseman Andrés Giménez? What is the free-agent market like for shortstop Ha-Seong Kim? Is Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki already a lock to the Los Angeles Dodgers? For more on the Tigers, Evan and Bob discuss 2024 American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal and the chances of a contract extension before he becomes a free agent after the 2026 season.

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    31 mins
  • Breaking down Detroit Tigers target Walker Buehler; Baseball America's JJ Cooper talks top 10 prospects
    Dec 9 2024

    The Winter Meetings will take place from Dec. 9-11 in Dallas. So far, the Tigers haven't made any offseason trades or signings, but that doesn't mean they're inactive. The Tigers have taken a patient approach to the free-agent and trade markets, as we reported coming out of the general manager meetings in early November. However, the Tigers are still targeting at least one starting pitcher and at least one right-handed hitter. Starting pitcher Walker Buehler is one free agent the Tigers have shown interest in. To explore further, Nick Pollack of Pitcher List breaks down Buehler's career, the importance of his fastball and how the Tigers' pitching department could help him improve. Later on, JJ Cooper of Baseball America joins to discuss the top 10 prospects in the Tigers' organization, led by Jackson Jobe. Pollack also discusses Tarik Skubal winning the Cy Young Award, while Cooper shares insights into how the Tigers have evolved as an organization in recent years.

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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • Detroit Tigers interested in Ha-Seong Kim? Also: Tyler Mattison joins Days of Roar
    Dec 2 2024

    The Detroit Tigers are one week away from the winter meetings in Dallas. Evan and Mark evaluate right-handed hitters for the Tigers to acquire in free agency and trade this offseason, including new information about free-agent infielder Ha-Seong Kim. The guys also try to make sense of what Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris said about Wenceel Pérez and Justyn-Henry Malloy. Can Pérez add infield positions to his profile on defense? Will the Tigers try to move Malloy to first base? Later, Right-handed reliever Tyler Mattison, whom the Tigers recently added to the 40-man roster, joins the "Days of Roar" podcast to chat about being protected from the Rule 5 draft, transitioning from starter to reliever and his ongoing rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery.

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    58 mins
  • Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers joins Days of Roar; Tarik Skubal wins 2024 AL Cy Young
    Nov 25 2024

    Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers joins the "Days of Roar" podcast to chat with Evan and Mark about Tarik Skubal winning the 2024 American League Cy Young Award. Rogers also talks about calling pitches and making in-game adjustments, his relationship with manager A.J. Hinch, being named a Gold Glove finalist, why "pitching chaos" worked in 2024 and his excitement for the 2025 season. Aside from Rogers, Evan and Mark tip their cap to Hinch for finishing third in AL Manager of the Year Award voting and break down the roster moves made by the Tigers, which included pitching prospect Tyler Mattison.

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    59 mins
  • Does Justin Verlander want to return to Detroit Tigers? Ben Verlander discusses that and more
    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Recapping GM meetings for Detroit Tigers: Alex Bregman update, new trade target, pitching chaos
    Nov 11 2024

    The general manager meetings took place last week in San Antoino, giving Evan and Mark plenty of topics to discuss. Evan recaps what he learned about the Detroit Tigers at the GM meetings, including an update on free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman. If not Bregman, should the Tigers trade for Miami Marlins slugger Jake Burger? Burger, a right-handed hitter, blends contact and power on offense and plays third base and first base on defense. Most importantly, the former No. 11 overall draft pick is under team control through the 2028 season. After that, Evan and Mark project the pitching plan for the Tigers in 2025, as well as an early look at the starting rotation. To wrap up, Evan and Mark praise prospect Thayron Liranzo for his game-winning home run in the Arizona Fall League and talk about veteran Justin Verlander in free agency.

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    1 hr