Detroit Tigers in 2023: Farewell to Miguel Cabrera, improving young players and more

The Detroit Tigers improved in 2023.

Ultimately, it was a year that will be remembered by the retirement of future Hall of Fame player Miguel Cabrera, who had an epic send-off in the final game of the season, but there were other positive developments.

The first year of baseball operations president Scott Harris and the third year of manager A.J. Hinch saw the Tigers take a step in the right direction, improving from 66 to 78 wins with the continued development of young cornerstone players.

"We're heading towards a really competitive camp in Lakeland, which is a great thing for the organization," Harris said Dec. 5 at the winter meetings in Nashville, Tennessee. "I hope there are opportunities to grab playing time for these players, and I hope they come in very motivated to make the decisions for us."

ONE YEAR AGO: From on-field disappointments to organizational restructuring in 2022

TWO YEARS AGO: Key veteran signings and young studs in 2021

Here are the key moments from 2023:

Jan. 7: Tigers trade Gregory Soto to Phillies

The Tigers traded Soto, a two-time All-Star, to the Philadelphia Phillies with utility player Kody Clemens. In return, the Tigers received three position players with MLB experience: outfielder Matt Vierling, infielder Nick Maton and catcher Donny Sands. Both Vierling and Maton made the Opening Day roster, but so far, Vierling has been the only positive contributor among the three players.

Jan. 11: New outfield dimensions

Changes to the outfield dimensions at Comerica Park began in mid-January and were completed by the first week of April. "We wanted to strike the right balance," Harris said, "where we were improving the offensive conditions for our hitters without fundamentally changing the profile of the park." The height of the walls was lowered to 7 feet, while center field was moved in 10 feet to make that wall 412 feet from home plate.

Feb. 15: Tommy John victim Casey Mize reveals back surgery

Mize shared at the beginning of spring training that he underwent a previously undisclosed back surgery after undergoing right elbow surgery in June 2022. "I've been dealing with the issue for a long time," Mize said. "I would say years." The former No. 1 overall draft pick hasn't pitched for the Tigers since April 14, 2022.

Feb. 17: Tigers claim Tyler Holton off waivers

Claiming Holton off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks might be Harris' best roster move since taking leadership of the Tigers in September 2022. Holton, a 27-year-old multi-inning reliever, learned a slider from the Tigers' pitching coaches and became one of the best relief pitchers in baseball last season, posting a 2.11 ERA with 18 walks and 74 strikeouts in 85⅓ innings.

Feb. 20: President of baseball operations Scott Harris sets goal

"Our goal for this year is to play competitive baseball as deep into the season as we possibly can," Harris said. "Coming off 96 losses, there are no shortcuts back to contention. It starts with putting together a team in an environment that can play competitive baseball every day. We are going to play competitive baseball as deep into the season as we can. That's going to be our goal. We're going to start there, and then we can build on that."

March 27: Tigers trade for Zach McKinstry

The Tigers acquired McKinstry, an out-of-options utility player, in a trade with the Chicago Cubs, only three days before Opening Day. McKinstry played a career-high 148 games. He had the best month of his baseball career in May, hitting .310 with 20 walks and 15 strikeouts in 26 games, but struggled in the other five months: a .217 batting average with a .607 on-base-plus-slugging percentage in 122 games.

April 2: Nightmare in Tampa Bay

The Tigers were swept by the Tampa Bay Rays to open the 2023 season and outscored 21-3 in three games. "It's a bad weekend," Hinch said. "We got to get to a new challenge." The Rays won 14 games in a row to start the season.

April 8: Austin Meadows steps away from baseball (again)

Meadows, who played in six of the first seven games, stepped away from the Tigers because of mental health struggles for the second time in seven months. He was placed on the injured list with anxiety and never returned to the Tigers' lineup. Meadows revealed his mental heath struggles for the first time in September 2022.

April 11: Matt Manning fractures right foot (for first time)

Manning fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot on the final pitch of his start against the Toronto Blue Jays. "I'll give it a week off, see how I feel and get back out there," Manning said. "I mean, it's just a foot." The former first-round pick didn't need surgery on his foot, but he wasn't able to return until June 27.

April 13: A.J. Hinch benches Javier Báez in Toronto

The Tigers had lost nine of 11 games to start the season. Facing the Blue Jays, Báez hit a double off the wall in left field in the second inning but didn't hustle out of the batter's box. On the next play, he forgot how many outs there were on a fly ball and was doubled up to end the inning. "My mind is everywhere right now," Báez said. Before the third inning, Hinch and Báez walked down the dugout steps for a conversation away from the public eye. After that, Báez did not return to the game. To that point, the Tigers were playing sloppy and making too many mental mistakes. "It's a message to our whole team that we've got to clean that up," Hinch said. The Tigers won the game, 3-1, to snap a six-game losing streak. After a 2-9 start, the Tigers turned in a 76-75 record in the final 151 games.

April 23: Eduardo Rodriguez flirts with perfect game amid scoreless streak

In one of his best games, Rodriguez took a perfect game into the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles. He allowed his first base runner on Ryan Mountcastle's single into left-center field with two outs in the inning. His seven innings of one-hit ball contributed to his 18-inning scoreless streak, which ended April 29, also against the Orioles.

April 27: Kerry Carpenter injures right shoulder while crashing into wall

Carpenter, who experienced a breakthrough in 2022 but needed to establish himself as a big-league slugger in 2023, crashed into the right-field wall at Comerica Park while robbing Mountcastle of a home run. On the play, he suffered a right shoulder sprain. He didn't return from the injured list until June 9.

May 3: Longest winning streak

The Tigers started their longest winning streak, a five-gamer, with a 6-5 win over the New York Mets. The Tigers swept the Mets in three games at Comerica Park and won the first two of three against the Cardinals in St. Louis.

May 4: Riley Greene hits first pull-side homer off J.V. to spark breakthrough

Old friend Justin Verlander came back to town with the Mets and surrendered back-to-back home runs to Greene and Báez in the first inning. Greene slumped to start the season, a product of hitting too many ground balls and not enough fly balls to the pull side. Off Verlander's down-and-in curveball, Greene launched his first pull-side homer of the season with a 106.8 mph exit velocity. The pull-side homer sparked an incredible month for the former No. 5 overall pick.

May 7: Tigers option Spencer Turnbull to Triple-A Toledo

The Tigers optioned Turnbull, who had returned from Tommy John surgery, to Triple-A Toledo because he posted a 7.26 ERA in seven starts to begin the season. He spent most of the year on the injured list and didn't throw another pitch in a Tigers uniform.

May 27: Andy Ibáñez snaps slump

A single to right field against the Chicago White Sox snapped Ibáñez's 0-for-32 slump. Beginning May 27, Ibáñez hit .289 with 10 home runs in his final 89 games. The Tigers claimed the infielder off waivers from the Texas Rangers in November 2022.

May 30-31: Bad run of injuries

The Tigers lost their best two players at the end of May. Rodriguez ruptured the A4 pulley in his left index finger. Greene was diagnosed with stress reaction in his left fibula. "It's a big loss, but we've been dealing with injuries since last year," Báez said. Before the injuries, Rodriguez had a 2.13 ERA in 11 starts and Greene was hitting .296 with five home runs in 52 games. Both players were sidelined until early July.

June 2: Reese Olson makes MLB debut

Replacing Rodriguez, 23-year-old prospect Reese Olson made his MLB debut against the White Sox. Olson, now 24, became the first Tiger to throw at least five no-hit innings in his debut since Bill Slayback in 1972. "It's a day I'll never forget," said Olson, who took a no-hitter into the sixth but gave up two runs. He stuck around for the rest of the season and logged a 3.99 ERA in 21 games.

June 4: Alex Lange implodes as closer

The downfall of Lange, the American League Reliever of the Month in May, began in the ninth inning of the series finale against the White Sox, when Jake Burger blasted a walk-off grand slam for the sweep. "You got to get ahead (in counts)," Lange said, "and I was pretty bad at that today." Lange posted a 1.11 ERA in his first 24 games, then a 5.18 ERA in his final 43 games. He finished the season with 26 saves.

June 9: Kerry Carpenter returns from injured list

Carpenter slugged his way into the Tigers' future in his return from the shoulder injury. The 26-year-old hit .667 in his first three games, .323 in 20 games and .289 with 16 home runs in 98 games to finish the season. He hit .217 with four homers in 20 games before the injury.

June 12: Longest losing streak ends

The longest losing streak, a nine-gamer, ended June 12 when Spencer Torkelson hit a two-run home run in the ninth and a walk-off single in the 10th inning to beat the Atlanta Braves. "He's staying with his approach," Hinch said. "It gives me a lot of confidence that he's on the right track." The streak, though, lasted from June 2-11 against the White Sox, Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks.

June 18: Jason Foley's six-out save

In the eighth inning, Foley inherited a bases-loaded, no-out situation after Lange imploded with two hit-by-pitches, two walks, a double and a wild pitch. Foley struck out back-to-back batters to end the eighth and retired the side in the ninth for a six-out save on 28 pitches in a 6-4 win over the Minnesota Twins. (His streak of 56 games without allowing a home run ended Aug. 17.)

June 25: Nick Maton optioned to Triple-A

The Tigers gave Maton an opportunity to be the third baseman of the future, but he struggled to put it together on offense and defense. An eighth-inning throwing error from Maton led to the Tigers' 6-3 loss to the Twins. After the game, the Tigers optioned Maton, hitting .163 with six home runs in 72 games, to Triple-A Toledo. "Coming off this game, it was time to give him a different environment," Hinch said.

June 28: Matthew Boyd undergoes Tommy John surgery

Boyd, who signed a one-year, $10 million contract, exited his June 26 start against the Rangers in the first inning after throwing 15 pitches. He threw the final pitch to the backstop and reported elbow discomfort. Two days later, Boyd underwent Tommy John surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow.

July 2: Michael Lorenzen selected to MLB All-Star Game

Lorenzen, who signed a one-year, $8.5 million contract and had a 4.28 ERA at the time, made the All-Star team for the first time in his nine-year MLB career. He was shocked when Hinch told him the news: "I'm like, 'There's no way. This is fishy, but there is no way I made the All-Star Game, like there is absolutely no way.' And then he told me that I did. I kind of broke down. I was like, 'I'm a mid-4 (ERA), how did I make the All-Star team?' But it was awesome." Lorenzen also pitched 22⅔ scoreless innings in a row with the Tigers, from the third inning June 30 until the second inning July 27.

July 4-8: Getting healthy before the All-Star break

Rodriguez and Greene returned from their finger and fibula injuries, respectively, but more importantly, Skubal joined the Tigers on July 4 for the first time since walking off the mound Aug. 1, 2022, with arm discomfort and later undergoing flexor tendon surgery on his left elbow. He popped immediately with four no-hit innings and six strikeouts in his return against the Oakland Athletics. "He's one of the best pitchers in baseball, quite honestly, when he's right," Hinch said. Skubal logged a 2.80 ERA with 14 walks and 102 strikeouts over 80⅓ innings in 15 starts.

July 7: Jonathan Schoop designated for assignment

Remember Schoop? The Tigers designated him for assignment after a 12-2 loss to the Blue Jays and ate roughly $3.5 million of his $7.5 million contract. The 11-year MLB veteran played 386 games over four seasons with the Tigers, launching 22 home runs and signing a contract extension in 2021. Schoop, who hit .213 in 55 games, hasn't played another game in professional baseball.

July 8: Three pitchers combine for no-hitter

Manning, who returned from the injured list in late June, led the way as a trio of pitchers completed the first combined no-hitter in franchise history in a 2-0 win over the Blue Jays at Comerica Park. Manning walked three batters and hit one batter while pitching the first 6⅔ innings. "Honestly, I swear I had no idea," Manning said. Foley recorded four outs in a row, then Lange retired three batters in a row in the ninth inning. It was the ninth no-hitter in Tigers history and the first since Turnbull in May 2021.

Aug. 1: Trade deadline mess

The Tigers had a 47-59 record at the trade deadline and sent Lorenzen to the Phillies for infield prospect Hao-Yu Lee, but the Rodriguez situation overshadowed the Lorenzen trade. Rodriguez, who had an upcoming opt-out clause in his contract, invoked his 10-team no-trade clause to block an agreed upon trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers. "My family feels happy in Detroit," Rodriguez said about his opt-out clause after nixing the trade. "I feel happy with my teammates and the organization. I'd really love to stay here."

SCOUTS SUE TIGERS: 'You fired us because you think we're too old'

Aug. 16: Big 3 emerges vs. Twins

Greene, Carpenter and Torkelson combined for four home runs in an 8-7 win over the Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis. The trio drove in seven of the eight runs while collecting seven hits in 13 at-bats. Torkelson hit .395 with eight home runs in a 12-game stretch from Aug. 9-21. Greene, Carpenter and Torkelson were playing the best baseball of their careers at the same time.

Aug. 19: Tigers cut Eric Haase, sign Carson Kelly

Haase — a Westland native, Livonia resident and Dearborn Divine Child alumnus who grew up as a fan of the Tigers — was designated for assignment after hitting .201 with four home runs in 86 games. He spent four seasons with the Tigers and swatted 36 homers across 208 games from 2021-22. The Tigers cut ties with Haase to create room for Kelly, the new backup catcher. In the offseason, the Tigers picked up Kelly's $3.5 million club option for 2024.

Aug. 25: Newcomer Parker Meadows blasts off in fourth-career game

Parker Meadows, the younger brother of Austin Meadows, arrived for his MLB debut Aug. 21 against the Cubs. He made an immediate impact with his defense in center field, speed on the bases and offense. The newcomer launched a walk-off, three-run home run off Ryan Pressly's curveball for a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros. "I can't put it into words," Meadows said. "It does not feel real."

Aug. 30: Casey Mize suffers setback in live batting practice

Mize planned to begin a rehab assignment before the end of the season, but those plans fell apart after he shut down his second live batting practice session after 17 pitches. He stopped throwing because of arm fatigue. "It's not linear," Mize said. "It's not pretty. It's not amazing. It's ugly, and it's tough." Mize later resumed throwing and completed his Tommy John rehab in November at the spring training facility. He is expected to be healthy for spring training in 2024.

Sept. 1: Riley Greene injures right elbow on diving catch

The Tigers initially thought Greene, who shifted to the corner outfield positions after Meadows took over in center field, avoided a significant right elbow injury on an incredible diving catch against the White Sox, but after further evaluation, he was diagnosed with right elbow inflammation, placed on the injured list and ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Sept. 6: Matt Manning fractures right foot (for second time)

Manning missed the remainder of the season after breaking a bone in his right foot for the second time in five months. A comebacker from Giancarlo Stanton, clocked at a 119.5 mph exit velocity, fractured his foot at Yankee Stadium. The 25-year-old finished with a 3.58 ERA, 21 walks and 50 strikeouts across 78 innings in 15 starts.

Sept. 10: Sawyer Gipson-Long makes MLB debut

Gipson-Long, acquired from the Twins at the 2022 trade deadline, allowed two runs on four hits and zero walks with five strikeouts across five innings in his MLB debut against the White Sox. He posted a 2.70 ERA with eight walks and 26 strikeouts over 20 innings in four starts to finish the season.

Sept. 20: Riley Greene undergoes Tommy John surgery

Greene underwent Tommy John surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his non-throwing right elbow. Dr. Keith Meister, the Rangers' team physician, performed the surgery in Dallas less than three weeks after Greene landed on his elbow while making a diving catch in Chicago. Both Greene and the Tigers expect the 23-year-old to play on Opening Day in 2024, scheduled for March 28.

Sept. 21: Tigers hire Jeff Greenberg as general manager

Harris hired Greenberg as his second-in-command after 12 months without a general manager. Greenberg previously worked for the Chicago Blackhawks for parts of two seasons (2022-23) and the Chicago Cubs for parts of 11 seasons (2012-22). He joined the Tigers with experience as the Cubs' pro scouting director, baseball operations director and assistant general manager. Greenberg and Harris worked together with the Cubs from 2012-19.

Sept. 28: Spencer Torkelson hits 30th home run

Torkelson, a former No. 1 overall pick, hit .233 with 34 doubles, 31 home runs, 67 walks and 171 strikeouts across 159 games in the second season of his MLB career. He tagged a hanging curveball from Carlos Hernández for his 30th home run in a 7-3 win over the Kansas City Royals. "It's always about getting better and trusting the process," Torkelson said, "but it definitely does feel good to have a nice round number." The 24-year-old became the first Tiger to hit 30 home runs in a single season since Cabrera and Justin Upton in 2016.

Oct. 1: Miguel Cabrera plays final game as Tigers finish strong

Cabrera played the final game of his 21-year MLB career in a 5-2 win against the Cleveland Guardians at Comerica Park. "That was awesome," Cabrera said. "To come back to first base for one out, it was a dream come true." The Tigers finished with a 78-84 record, good enough for second place in the AL Central, while Cabrera finished his career ranked 16th in hits (3,174) and tied for 25th in home runs (511) on the all-time leaderboards, also recording a .306 batting average.

Oct. 3: Tarik Skubal named AL Pitcher of the Month

Skubal missed the first half of the season while recovering from flexor tendon surgery, but he dominated opposing teams in his return. He was named the AL Pitcher of the Month for his five-start performance in September, posting a 0.90 ERA with four walks and 43 strikeouts in 30 innings. "I'm just healthy," Skubal said. "I'm healthy and I feel good." He became the first Tiger to win the award since Verlander in July 2016.

Nov. 4: Tigers trade for Mark Canha; Eduardo Rodriguez opts out; Javier Báez opts in

Three key roster moves occurred on the third day of the offseason. Rodriguez, who registered a 3.30 ERA in 26 starts, opted out of three years and $49 million before eventually signing with the Diamondbacks; Báez, who hit .222 with nine home runs, opted into four years and $98 million. The Tigers also acquired Canha, a veteran outfielder, in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers and picked up his $11.5 million team option for the 2024 season. His .364 on-base percentage ranks 23rd among 155 players with at least 2,000 plate appearances from 2018-23.

Nov. 9: Tigers hire Jason Benetti to TV booth

The Tigers hired national broadcaster Jason Benetti as the television play-by-play announcer on Bally Sports Detroit, replacing Matt Shepard. He signed a multi-year contract and will broadcast a minimum of 127 games per season. Benetti spent the past eight seasons calling games for the White Sox.

Nov. 17: Tigers non-tender Austin Meadows, Spencer Turnbull

The elder Meadows and the oft-injured Turnbull won't return to the Tigers after getting non-tendered and forced into free agency. Meadows played 42 games across his two seasons with the Tigers, hitting .240 with 16 walks and 20 strikeouts. Turnbull severed his relationship with the Tigers over service time complaints.

Nov. 28: Tigers sign Kenta Maeda

The Tigers signed Maeda, a seven-year MLB veteran, to a two-year, $24 million contract. The 35-year-old logged a 4.23 ERA with 28 walks and 117 strikeouts over 104⅓ innings for the Twins last season, with a 3.36 ERA in his final 17 games. The Tigers want Maeda to help win games with his swing-and-miss repertoire and teach young pitchers to command pitches to all parts of the strike zone.

Dec. 3: Jim Leyland elected to Hall of Fame

The former Tigers skipper will be the 23rd manager inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Leyland managed 3,499 games and won 1,769 games across 22 seasons for four franchises, including the Tigers from 2006-13. The ceremony is scheduled for July 21, 2024.

Dec. 4: A.J. Hinch's contract extension, new coaches revealed

A pair of Hinch-related announcements were provided on the first day of the winter meetings. The Tigers signed Hinch, previously under contract through 2025, to a contract extension because Harris didn't want Hinch to feel like an "inherited manager" moving forward. Hinch also finalized his coaching staff for the 2024 season, adding four new members: assistant hitting coach Lance Zawadzki, first base coach Anthony Iapoce, third base coach Joey Cora, and catching coach Ryan Sienko.

Dec. 12: Tigers sign Andrew Chafin

Chafin, a 10-year MLB veteran, signed a one-year, $4.25 million contract with a club option. The 33-year-old, who last pitched for the Tigers in 2022 before declining his player option, posted a 4.73 ERA with 28 walks and 63 strikeouts over 51⅓ innings in 63 relief appearances for two teams in 2023. The close distance to his family and his farm in Massillon, Ohio, factored into his decision to return to the Tigers.

Dec. 20: Tigers sign Jack Flaherty

Flaherty, a seven-year MLB veteran, signed a one-year, $14 million contract. The 28-year-old registered a 4.99 ERA with 66 walks and 148 strikeouts over 144⅓ innings in 29 games (27 starts) for two teams in 2023. The Tigers want Flaherty, a bounce-back candidate, to generate more whiffs, limit hard contact and continue improving his fastball shape. He represents a low-risk, high-reward signing.

Dec. 22: Tigers sign Shelby Miller

Miller, an 11-year MLB veteran, signed a one-year, $3 million contract with a club option. His splitter, which he learned while pitching for the Dodgers last season, adds a new look to the Tigers' bullpen. The new splitter had a 30.7% whiff rate and complemented his sneaky elite four-seam fastball. The Tigers think Miller has the potential to close games.

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: What to remember about Detroit Tigers in 2023