The Tigers finalized a one-year deal to add Tommy Kahnle to the back of their bullpen this afternoon. President of baseball operations Scott Harris spoke with reporters shortly after that signing was announced.
Asked about next steps, Harris pointed to both the position player group and the relief corps as continued target areas. “We’re going to find ways to get better. Bullpen and our lineup are two areas that we are going to look to upgrade if we can, but we also like our depth on both sides of the ball,” Harris said.
The Kahnle deal brings Detroit’s projected player payroll to roughly $118MM, as calculated by RosterResource. They’re up to roughly $140MM in competitive balance tax obligations. That’s around $14MM above their year-end payroll in 2024. Detroit ran payrolls above $120MM in both 2022 and ’23, however, so it’s not out of the question that ownership is willing to push spending a bit further.
Harris spoke generally of using any methods of acquisition (i.e. trades, free agency, waivers) to build the depth, so his comments aren’t necessarily an indication of anything major. The Tigers, of course, have long been viewed as one of the top suitors if Alex Bregman does not return to the Astros. As of last week, talks between the sides were reportedly at a standstill. If Detroit does not land Bregman, they’d likely turn to rookie Jace Jung at the hot corner.
Detroit has already made one notable infield move with the Gleyber Torres signing. That pushed Colt Keith to first base and increased speculation that they could market former first overall pick Spencer Torkelson, whose path to regular playing time is limited. Detroit is likely to turn to second-year player Trey Sweeney at shortstop, forming one of the game’s least experienced left side infield duos if they roll with Jung at third.
Kahnle is one of at least five pitchers who are locked into A.J. Hinch’s season-opening bullpen. Jason Foley, Beau Brieske, Tyler Holton and Will Vest join him as high-leverage options. Kenta Maeda could be in a long relief role in the second season of what looked like a disappointing free agent contract in year one. Brant Hurter and Sean Guenther made strong impressions in long relief last season, though they each have minor league options remaining. That’s also true of former closer Alex Lange, who is still on the 40-man roster and working back from lat surgery that ended his season in June.
I’ll believe it when I see it…….
we got outdone by the Royals in free agency…
they get Estevez, we get another 37 year old ” one year team leader”.
yippee.
We also got one of the best changeups in the game.
As a Yankees fan, let me tell you that you got a really nice late inning arm. Kahnle will be missed here. He’s effective against righties and deadly to lefties. You’ll like having him.
I’d rather have Kahnle than Estevez, I will miss him as a Yankee fan. Be happy
They should role with the guys they have now. Vierling can handle 3rd with Jung playing occasionally and getting more experience. They don’t need Bregman. If they’re competitive but have a need, they can address that with an in season trade.
Vierling is probably the best player in the ALC, I think you’re spot on there. Jung might be the second coming of Mike Schmidt, I agree with you there too. The problem is when a team has 2 HoF caliber players at the same position, it’s actually a detriment.
Mojo…..Vierling the best player in the ALC? I assume you mistyped there. Carpenter and Greene are better hitters on Detroit alone and he doesn’t compare to Jose Ramirez or Witt.
I was agreeing with Luke Strong. Who thinks he’s the best player in the ALC. I personally think Vierling is much better than that. Probably the best player in the MLB since Willie Mays.
You are correct he doesn’t compare to Ramirez or Witt. They only play one position.
Ah, I see. Sarcasm
It seems they are playing hardball with Bregman and they should to avoid an albatross contract. If he won’t sign for the length they want then they shouldn’t go after him. It almost seems like he is using them to try and push other teams to offer more.
I think it was a lost opportunity not going after Kim. Maybe they can trade young pitching for a young MLB ready 3B if the plan is to move Jung back to 2B next year when Torres leaves. Or like you say let Jung/Vierling play. There are worse options.
Flaherty is there for the taking.
Kim was at best a 3-month rental. He waited till October to have shoulder surgery, and won’t be ready till June-July…and he was looking for the exact short term contract he got with the Rays. He gets 13M for around 3 months of work, and he if he looks good is going to trigger the 2M opt out. If not, he’s got a 16M contract for next year so he can properly get paid, Kim wasn’t looking for long terms deals, just someone willing to pay him while he rehab.
Bohm would be a good option
Better for the royals
They need Bregman. Tigers problem was hitting last year. Jung is a year away and K’ed 30 % of the time. Torres is only signed for one year, I believe. Sign Bregman, keep Jung in the minors for more seasoning and the occasional callup. Then, in 2026, decide who plays 2nd or 3rd between Bregman and Jung. Detroit’s window is NOW!!!
Detroit’s window is not now… pump the brakes my guy.
They have a very nice farm and are not overly committed in payroll.. they need some of the young talent to mature and then bite. Bregman is only a good value at the right price.
Well, they got rid of one bullpen arm in Faedo.
They sure did. One of the better arms in the MLB. I know Faedo was your favorite player, so I’m sorry for your loss.
He was just about to become a hof closer or cy young starter
Hopefully he stays in the organization. Doubtful. I’m sure there are several GMs ready to acquire him.
Dodgers payroll 70% of American League central . That’s equality
Let’s get Flaherty then call it. I mean if it’s an injury concern then why Cobb? And why at that much? I like Cobbs potential but if I had to choose..
After last year’s injury bug, if it pushes Mize or any other potential 5th then so be it. Those guys will get their innings regardless.
Skubs
Flaherty
Olsen
Cobb
Jobe
Let’s hoard pitching .. then trade some of it for hitting. Sign flaherty and max . Jansen and Kimbrel .
I hear you Rick, although it would be a long shot if all 3 could 1) perform well and 2) stay healthy before the deadline. It’s also about 50mil worth of players. I’m out on Breg/Alonzo. I’m with you on looking elsewhere, and at this point it looks like it’s going to have to be through a trade.
If they don’t trust Jung long term at 3B then I agree they should look at a trade. Maybe ship Tork out for another change of scenery every candidate like Baty or Ke’Bryan Hayes or trade for a young guy like Cam Collier (who wouldn’t help this year) or even Matt McLain (although he’d likely be a better SS option).
And go get Flaherty!
Harris has been identified as a large, slow moving animal.
Congratulations, Tommy Kahnle!
Faedo still has potential and high hopes. A trade must be coming.
Detroit, is doing what most teams do when they need a 40 man roster spot. Putting a pretty good player like Faedo on waivers to open a spot. Detroit, wants to keep him at toledo and off the 40 man roster until he is needed. If you look at the players on waivers right now they are nowhere as good as he is.
The problem is Chris Illitch, period.
…or maybe it’s because of Tork and Mize being a bag of turds and less to do with ownership. Mike Illitch showed that you can’t just buy your way there and they shouldn’t make the same mistakes his father did.