The Detroit Tigers were sellers going into last year’s MLB trade deadline. As a youth-driven organization, the Tigers were still in the process of acquiring talent. They were looking to the future and appeared out of the running.
A year later, here are the Tigers. As of Wednesday, they have the second-best record (44-25) in the majors, behind the New York Mets by a half-game. They also have one of the best farm systems in the game. Detroit should be in a strong position going into this year’s deadline.
The team has the chance to strengthen its major league roster and prepare for a postseason push. Tigers team president Scott Harris recently revealed the team’s game plan.
Scott Harris Reveals His Plan Before Trade Deadline
According to the Detroit Free Press, Harris discussed his ambitions to make the Tigers a winning, sustainable team in an interview with Jim Costa and Jon Jansen on WXYT-FM (97.1) on Wednesday, June 11.
Harris said the team will try to identify players to fill weaknesses and “chase those players aggressively.”
One of the more intriguing plotlines of the 2024 season was Detroit’s resurrection. The team unexpectedly came within one game of qualifying for the American League Championship Series.
Few people predicted that the Tigers would become the dominant force they have been thus far this season. Many expected the team to keep building on that momentum as 2025 approached.
Detroit has discovered new gear this season and has become one of baseball’s best teams. Their deadly combination of hitting and pitching has also allowed them to hit a season milestone for the first time in more than 10 years.
Tuesday night’s victory over the Baltimore Orioles marked the Tigers’ 44th victory of the season and moved Detroit to 20 games above .500 for the first time since 2013.
At 44-24, we are now 20 games over .500 for the first time since 2013. #RepDetroit pic.twitter.com/i8Pm2VsCW0
— Tigers PR (@DetroitTigersPR) June 11, 2025
With a roster that included players like Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder, Max Scherzer, and Justin Verlander, that 2013 season was the Tigers’ most recent ALCS appearance.
The rise of former first-overall pick Spencer Torkelson, who blasted two home runs in Tuesday night’s historic victory, has been a major factor in the team’s success this season.
The time that has passed since Detroit reached the 2013 ALCS is astounding. But it also highlights how lengthy the team’s return to prominence has taken. They made their final postseason appearance before 2024 in 2014, which concluded with a heartbreaking ALDS elimination.
The front office started the rebuilding process, which would last for 10 years. The Tigers have had some tough seasons, but they are now beginning to see results as they appear capable of winning a World Series.
If they can maintain their recent pace, they will be in a strong position to make the ALCS.