Detroit Tigers Season-Ending Press Conference with Scott Harris, AJ Hinch

The Detroit Tigers’ 2025 season ended in heartbreaking fashion. They lost a 15-inning, 3-2 battle to the Seattle Mariners in the ALDS.

The playoff run showed promise. Still, team president Scott Harris and manager A.J. Hinch didn’t hide their disappointment about falling short of the World Series.

Looking back, they talked about the team’s strengths and weaknesses. Both men made it clear: adjustments are needed if the Tigers want to get over the hump next year.

Postseason Reflections: What Went Wrong

Harris didn’t sugarcoat things. He admitted the offense faltered late in the season.

He said the Tigers need more contact hitters to balance out a lineup that leans too heavily on power. Too often, they just couldn’t string together enough hits, which made for some rough games to watch.

Offensive Troubles Take Center Stage

Hinch agreed with Harris. He pointed to the struggles of younger players like Riley Greene and Parker Meadows.

Greene showed flashes of good plate discipline, but he’s not there yet. Meadows had his own problems, including a weird midseason injury that threw him off track.

The coaching staff thinks both guys will learn from this rollercoaster season. It’s not all bad—there’s growth in the struggle.

Pitching Remains a Pillar of Success

The pitching staff told a different story. Harris couldn’t say enough about ace Tarik Skubal, even calling him “the best pitcher in baseball.”

He’s convinced Skubal can add another Cy Young Award to his trophy case. The postseason really showed off Detroit’s pitching depth and toughness, as both the rotation and the bullpen kept the Tigers in games.

Deadline Deals and Their Role

The Tigers brought in veterans Chris Paddack and Charlie Morton at the trade deadline. Harris said they weren’t expecting these guys to carry the postseason load.

Instead, they saw them as depth and as steady clubhouse presences for the future. Harris doesn’t regret these moves, believing they fit the long-term plan.

Hitting in Today’s MLB: The Growing Challenge

Hinch talked about how hitting has gotten tougher across the league. Pitching is better, scouting is sharper, and game plans are more advanced than ever.

He wants his hitters to sharpen their pitch recognition but keep their aggressive swings. It’s about finding that sweet spot between patience and attacking early in the count.

Building for Sustained Success

Harris and Hinch both want more than a single playoff run. They’re aiming for a team that can fight for the World Series year after year.

They picture a roster built on strong pitching, better contact at the plate, and players tough enough to handle October’s pressure.

Key Takeaways From the Tigers’ 2025 Season

• Offense needs more contact-oriented hitters to balance out the power bats.
• Younger players like Greene and Meadows have to keep developing and, hopefully, stay healthy.
• Pitching staff is still a real strength, with Skubal leading the way.
• Trade-deadline moves looked ahead, focusing more on future value than instant playoff help.
• Game preparation has to keep up with how tough hitting has become in MLB.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Disappointment still lingers from the ALDS exit. But the Tigers might be on the brink of something special.

The front office keeps making smart moves. Their manager gets what modern hitters face, and the rotation has one of baseball’s best arms at the top.

Detroit could really take the next step soon. It’s not a sure thing, but you can feel the momentum building.

Hinch wrapped up his remarks with genuine pride about leading the Tigers. He also thanked Detroit for bringing a unique energy to baseball.

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