Days of Roar: A Free Press Sports Detroit Tigers Podcast

Detroit Tigers top prospect Kevin McGonigle made the Opening Day roster — and the 21-year-old recorded four hits in his first game as the Tigers earned an 8-2 win over the San Diego Padres on Opening Day. He became the first Tigers player since 1987 (and the second in franchise history) to collect four hits in his MLB debut, which included a two-run double to the right-field corner (nickname...

The Detroit Tigers are finalizing their Opening Day roster with three days until the first game of the 2026 season against the San Diego Padres. On "Days of Roar," Evan Petzold and Chris Brown break down Tarik Skubal's "lethargic" final spring training start and reveal their final roster predictions, focusing on the biggest decision: Will top prospect Kevin McGonigle make the Opening Day roster? W...

Opening Day roster decisions are coming down to the wire with nine days until the Detroit Tigers open the 2026 season. On "Days of Roar," Evan Petzold and Chris Brown break down the latest spring training developments, including whether the Toronto Blue Jays are already eyeing Tarik Skubal in free agency and what Enmanuel De Jesus joining the 40-man roster means for the bullpen battle. We also dis...

Spring training storylines are heating up for the Detroit Tigers with just 16 days until 2026 Opening Day. On "Days of Roar," Evan Petzold and Chris Brown react to Tarik Skubal shutting down his participation for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic after one start and Justin Verlander hinting that this year could be his final season. We also break down Kevin McGonigle becoming an international...

Spring training decisions are starting to take shape for the Detroit Tigers with less than four weeks until Opening Day on March 26. On "Days of Roar," Evan Petzold and Chris Brown break down the Troy Melton injury and six early roster cuts, then dive into the latest on top prospect Kevin McGonigle and his real chances of making the Opening Day roster – including which position player could...

Spring training games are underway, and the Detroit Tigers have rolled out two alternate uniforms: an orange jersey for home games and a navy jersey for road games, with a "Days of Roar" grade for both uniforms. Evan Petzold and Chris Brown react to Tarik Skubal announcing he will make just one start for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, plus we discuss owner Christopher Ilitch and special a...

Pitchers and catchers reported, position players participated in the first full-squad workout — and now, the Detroit Tigers are counting down the days to the first Grapefruit League game of spring training. The Tigers marked the start of camp by making their most popular move of the 2025-26 offseason, signing franchise icon Justin Verlander to a one-year, $13 million contract — after l...

Producer's note: This podcast was recorded before Justin Verlander signed a one-year contract and Reese Olson was ruled out for the 2026 season after shoulder surgery . Check freep.com/sports for the latest Tigers coverage — and this podcast feed for additional updates. As Detroit Tigers pitchers and catchers report to spring training, Lance Brozdowski — the player development analyst...

Left-hander Tarik Skubal took down the Detroit Tigers in a record-breaking arbitration case, securing a $32 million salary for the 2026 season rather than the $19 million proposed by the Tigers. To break down the case, former Tigers executive Mike Smith joins Evan Petzold for a special "Days of Roar" bonus episode. Smith, an expert in salary arbitration, takes a detailed look at the historic showd...

The Detroit Tigers signed left-hander Framber Valdez to a three-year, $115 million contract with an opt-out clause after the second season — a move that shocked the baseball industry and created one of the best one-two punches atop a starting rotation in the game. In this special "Days of Roar" breaking news episode, Evan Petzold and Chris Brown break down all angles of the Valdez signing, i...

Pitchers and catchers from the Detroit Tigers report to spring training in eight days, but before the focus shifts to the 2026 season, former general manager Al Avila (responsible for 25 players on the current 40-man roster) joins "Days of Roar" for more than an hour to discuss the Tigers' rebuild, along with other takeaways from his more than 20 years with the Tigers, including the final seven se...

There are 15 days until Detroit Tigers pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Lakeland, Florida. On "Days of Roar," Evan Petzold and Chris Brown react to the Tigers signing outfielder Corey Julks to a minor-league contract, evaluating if Julks could unseat Jahmai Jones as the right-handed-hitting outfielder who thrives against left-handed pitching. Evan and Chris debate whether targeti...

The 2026 international signing period is underway. On "Days of Roar," Evan Petzold and Chris Brown react to the Detroit Tigers signing three international prospects to seven-figure bonuses: catcher Manuel Bolivar, shortstop Oscar Tineo and outfielder Randy Santana — and debate which teenage prospect has the best chance to develop into a special player. We discuss the remaining free agents wh...

The Tarik Skubal-Detroit Tigers showdown is officially underway. The Tigers and the back-to-back American League Cy Young winner failed to reach an agreement before the arbitration deadline, filing $13 million apart: the Tigers at $19 million; Skubal at $32 million — setting up the most significant arbitration hearing in MLB history. On "Days of Roar," Evan Petzold and Chris Brown react to t...

In this holiday edition of "Days of Roar," Evan Petzold and Chris Brown dive into the latest news about the Detroit Tigers, including more pitchers being signed to minor-league contracts — and why outfielder Randal Grichuk could be a good fit for the Tigers as a Jahmai Jones backup plan, as long as he's willing to sign a minor-league deal. In the Big 2, Evan and Chris outline their New Year'...

In a Christmas edition, Evan Petzold and Chris Brown react to the Detroit Tigers designating Justyn-Henry Malloy for assignment, resetting the 40-man roster after adding newcomers Drew Anderson, Kenley Jansen and Kyle Finnegan. We also discuss the signings of several pitchers to minor-league contracts with non-roster invitations to spring training, including Tyler Mattison. For the Big 2, the "Day...

With the Winter Meetings in the books, Evan Petzold and Chris Brown break down on "Days of Roar" the Detroit Tigers' bullpen upgrades, signing Kyle Finnegan to a two-year contract and Kenley Jansen to a one-year contract with a club option. Can both veteran relievers maintain their past success in the 2026 season? There are reasons for confidence — and reasons for concerns. We also add conte...

In this special "Days of Roar" bonus episode, Evan Petzold welcomes USA TODAY Sports MLB columnist and insider Bob Nightengale to recap MLB's Winter Meetings in Orlando. Evan and Bob discuss the biggest storyline of the 2025-26 offseason: Will the Detroit Tigers trade Tarik Skubal, and if not, where will the back-to-back American League Cy Young winner sign after the 2026 season — with 10 ye...

The Winter Meetings are underway in Orlando, and the Detroit Tigers arrive with several storylines to follow. On "Days of Roar," Evan Petzold and Chris Brown discuss the signing of right-hander Drew Anderson to a one-year contract. He will show up to spring training as a starter, but will he ultimately become a reliever?  We break down what to watch with the Tigers at the Winter Meetings, inc...

On "Days of Roar," Evan Petzold and Chris Brown evaluate the Detroit Tigers with one week until MLB's Winter Meetings. Right-hander Dylan Cease kicked off free agency this offseason with a seven-year, $210 million contract from the Toronto Blue Jays, raising questions about left-hander Tarik Skubal's market next offseason. We break down agent Scott Boras' latest comments about third baseman Alex B...

The Detroit Tigers continue shaping their roster for the 2026 season, headlined by Gleyber Torres accepting the one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer. On "Days of Roar," Evan Petzold and Chris Brown break down how Torres' return impacts the offseason plan, what the infield looks like with him locked in at second base and where top prospect Kevin McGonigle fits into the picture. Rogelio Castil...

On "Days of Roar," Evan Petzold and Chris Brown recap a busy week of offseason news for the Detroit Tigers and look ahead to some big decisions, including Tarik Skubal winning the 2025 American League Cy Young Award (becoming the first AL back-to-back winner in the 21st century) and Gleyber Torres preparing to decide whether to accept or decline the one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer. We f...

The Detroit Tigers are gearing up to make moves in the 2025-26 offseason as the general manager meetings get underway in Las Vegas. On "Days of Roar," Evan Petzold and Chris Brown break down whether Gleyber Torres will accept or decline the qualifying offer, the biggest needs to improve the roster, the shopping list in free agency and the projected payroll, including how much money the Tigers coul...

The Detroit Tigers' offseason is officially in motion after the Los Angeles Dodgers won the 2025 World Series. On "Days of Roar," Evan Petzold and Chris Brown ("Tigers Minor League Report") react to coaching staff changes, Jack Flaherty's decision to accept his $20 million player option and Dillon Dingler becoming the Tigers' first Gold Glove winner since 2016. Lance Parrish — an eight-time...

The 2025 season is in the books for the Detroit Tigers, but the 2025-26 offseason is about to get underway. On "Days of Roar," Evan Petzold and Chris Brown ("Tigers Minor League Report") share their final grades for the Tigers – breaking down pitching, hitting, defense and coaching. We also share three key lessons from 2025, along with what those lessons mean for 2026. Dan Dickerson –...