The Detroit Tigers just made some huge moves at the trade deadline, sending away prominent starters Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize, and manager A.J. Hinch isn’t sugarcoating the fallout. The team was still close to an American League playoff spot, but Hinch admits the clubhouse is now dealing with real disappointment and uncertainty. “It’s impossible not to be emotional about it,” Hinch said, hitting us with the raw truth. “It comes with some curiosity and it comes with some frustration.”
Hinch Won’t Let The Season Die Despite The Blow
Look, after trading away two big arms, you’d expect a gut punch, right? Hinch gets it, but he’s also not letting his team roll over. He acknowledged that even after a “really good series in Sacramento,” this group is “beat up a little bit.” Still, he’s not backing down. “But once that settles, you look up and there’s 50 games left and we’re going to play all of them and we’re going to try to win all of them,” Hinch declared. He knows “the path is a little harder,” for sure, but he believes in their grit. “When the first pitch is thrown tonight, our guys will be ready to play because we’re pretty tough-minded,” he added. “We understand what’s in front of us. I don’t think anybody is ready to cancel the season so play on.” That’s the challenge for Detroit now: absorb the losses, adjust fast, and keep chasing without making excuses.
New Arms Step Up, Including Jackson Jobe’s Return
So, who’s filling those crucial rotation spots? Hinch confirmed Drew Anderson is shifting from the bullpen to a starting role. “We’re going to responsibly stretch him out,” Hinch said, explaining that Anderson was signed as a starter, has started before, and has the “weapons to do it.” A consistent routine should help him solidify his pitch usage. The other spot is even more intriguing: Jackson Jobe is coming back! He’s finishing his recovery from elbow surgery and is “likely to factor in the San Francisco series.” Hinch cautioned that Jobe isn’t “quite at full-throttle,” and they’ll “responsibly stretch him out,” but the plan is to use his innings. Getting Jobe back gives them a much-needed young arm for talent and stability in the rotation.
The Emotional Rollercoaster Hits The Young Guns Hard
This kind of shake-up isn’t easy on anyone, especially the younger players who are suddenly stepping into bigger roles without some of their veteran teammates. Hinch was upfront about the emotional toll. “It is something all the experienced guys in the room can deal with, myself included,” he noted. He sees an “emotional rollercoaster” for the younger guys, who are hearing all sorts of things from different people. His advice is simple: “The best thing those young guys can do is show up, prepare and be ready to play.” It’s a weird spot for them, feeling the loss of veterans but also the “energy that comes with new opportunity.” That balance of grief and renewed purpose is going to define Detroit’s final stretch of the season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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