As Spring Training in Lakeland was starting to wrap up, there was a ton of excitement in the air about the potential for the 2022 Detroit Tigers and the step forward they were likely to take under Year 2 of manager A.J. Hinch.
But, as we know, things have not gone as planned and instead of hovering at or above the .500 mark, the Tigers have one of the worst records in the American League.
Barring what would be the most-epic turnaround in Major League Baseball history, the Tigers will not be contending for a playoff spot this season.
A.J. Hinch on Detroit Tigers players being traded: ‘It’s a big-boy business’
With the Detroit Tigers residing in the basement of the American League, it is a foregone conclusion that they will be ‘sellers’ rather than ‘buyers’ at the upcoming Major League Baseball trade deadline.
A.J. Hinch is well aware of the fact with the Tigers in the spot they are in, contenders will be looking at some of his players, specifically some players from his bullpen.
When it comes to the trade deadline, Hinch said it is a ‘big-boy business.”
“I’ve been more brutal about that,” Hinch said. “This is a big-boy business and when you are where we’re at, and you have as strong a bullpen as we have, the contenders are going to come down and look at you. That’s the reality. Whether you are distracted by it, frustrated by it, nervous about it — it’s a big-boy business.
“I want to be realistic with our guys. The reason you are being talked about getting traded away is because we haven’t won enough. We are where we’re at because of how we’ve played and now we have to deal with some of these things that are tough to navigate. But it’s our reality.”
Hinch added that he has not seen resignation in the Detroit Tigers locker room, just frustration.
“I don’t see resignation,” Hinch said. “I don’t see players caving in. I see a frustrated group that’s been mired in a lack of winning for a while. Those who have been here the longest have felt it for multiple seasons. That’s what we need to change.
“We have to continue to find different ways to get out of this wash, rinse, repeat that we’re in.”
Nation, do you think the Detroit Tigers can turn things around in the second half of the season? Which players do you thin will be traded before the deadline?