What is the story about?
Happy Monday, everyone! We’re getting ever closer to pitchers and catchers reporting, and we’re officially in the same month as Spring Training, so the offseason is almost over, and hot stove season is winding down. In fact, the few remaining players still looking for a team are almost entirely starting pitchers, so we could still see some moves from the Tigers before pitchers and catchers report, as the Tigers look to bolster their starting rotation (or their bullpen, depending on what they feel
like focusing on).
Still some fun stories to get into to start the week, so we’ll just jump right into it.
Detroit Tigers News
- The Tigers are celebrating Black History Month by celebrating the players who helped make the team great.
- Well we could have told anyone this.
AL Central News
- Mike Bates had the unique distinction of being selected as a first-round draft pick for three different teams, and never played major league ball. The Guardians and Royals were among those teams. Bates has passed away.
- The White Sox have traded for Jordan Hicks.
- Frank Thomas didn’t hold back on his opinions about being left out of a White Sox graphic celebrating Black History Month.
- The Twins’ ownership continues to make some baffling and unpopular choices. ($)
MLB News
- Is there any value left for the classic platoon player?
- Ben Clemens does some fan WAR math.
- The best wall smushes of 2025. Yes. You read that right.
- Several players who will have to step up to fill the shoes of departing players on their teams.
- Shohei Ohtani won’t pitch in the World Baseball Classic, but he anticipates being ready for the regular season.
- Five bounce-back candidates for the 2026 season.
- A deeper look at the insurance issues that have been plaguing players who want to attend the World Baseball Classic.
- The Padres might be headed for a sale, but that’s not slowing them down on making offseason moves.
- Kind of feels like the Tigers could have afforded this…
- Could be an interesting thing for many players who weren’t able to get insurance (though it’s highly unlikely any team would assume the liability.)
- Countdown!!!
