Breaking: Detroit Tigers sign Framber Valdez in free agency

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 sensation after hitting a 461-foot home run in the Dominican Republic — and provide an update about his chances of making the Opening Day roster. We debate other key roster questions: A left-hander like Enmanuel De Jesus or a right-hander like Burch Smith for the final bullpen spot; Casey Mize or Drew Anderson for the final rotation spot, with the other moving to the bullpen; Parker Meadows or Wenceel Pérez if McGonigle forces his way into the position player group, with the other landing in Triple-A Toledo. Bob Nightengale — USA TODAY Sports MLB columnist and insider — joins the show to discuss Skubal's contract situation. Have the Tigers offered their homegrown ace a long-term extension in the past 16 months? Nightengale has the answer, plus other information. To wrap up, we take a deep dive into the prospects selected by the Tigers for MLB's Spring Breakout showcase, including youngsters Cris Rodriguez, Jordan Yost and Michael Oliveto. Follow Evan on X/Twitter here.  Read Evan's most recent work here

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 be on the chopping block to make room for him. We also unpack the Max Clark situation, featuring his comments and A.J. Hinch's comments amid outside criticism about his personality after dropping two fly balls in one inning. Former Tigers player and current Tigers broadcaster Andy Dirks joins the show to discuss his broadcasting journey and his outlook on the 2026 Tigers, headlined by Justin Verlander's return, Riley Greene's adjustment and McGonigle's rapid rise. To close, Petzold and Brown provide an injury update on Jackson Jobe and react to Detroit SportsNet becoming the new broadcast home of the Tigers and Red Wings. Follow Evan on X/Twitter here.  Read Evan's most recent work here

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 assistant Miguel Cabrera stopping by TigerTown. In the Big 2, Petzold and Brown share their biggest takeaways from the first three spring training games (including what Kevin McGonigle did in his first spring game) and debate how the Tigers will sort through a crowded six-man outfield before Opening Day. Hitting expert Scott Chu, a senior fantasy analyst at Pitcher List, joins the show to provide an in-depth breakdown of the Tigers' offense, with an emphasis on Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson, Kerry Carpenter, Colt Keith, Parker Meadows and Wenceel Pérez, along with top prospects McGonigle, Max Clark and Josue Briceño. To wrap up, Petzold and Brown discuss the best role for Keider Montero and the early bullpen struggles in spring games. Follow Evan on X/Twitter here.  Read Evan's most recent work here

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 losing Reese Olson for the entire 2026 season to a shoulder surgery. On "Days of Roar," Evan Petzold and Chris Brown react to the signing of Verlander and the injury to Olson. They also share the biggest takeaways from the first week of spring training, updates on Tarik Skubal, Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson and break down the latest surrounding top prospect Kevin McGonigle. Former Tigers catcher Alex Avila joins the show for an extended conversation about Verlander's return to the Tigers, offering insight into what the reunion means on and off the field. He reflects on Verlander's evolution as a pitcher and a person, while detailing his expectations for the Tigers' star-studded rotation. To close, Evan and Chris discuss what they'll be watching as spring training games get underway. Follow Evan on X/Twitter here.  Read Evan's most recent work here

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 for the Marquee Sports Network — joins "Days of Roar" to evaluate the starting rotation and the bullpen ahead of the 2026 season, including the one-two punch atop the rotation with Tarik Skubal and Framber Valdez. Evan Petzold and Chris Brown break down the biggest storylines to watch in camp, including if Colt Keith can lock down third base. They also build their projected 26-man roster for Opening Day, featuring a debate about Javier Báez and Zach McKinstry at shortstop until Kevin McGonigle arrives. To end the show, Chandler Rome — the Houston Astros beat writer for The Athletic — joins to discuss the Tigers signing Valdez to a three-year, $115 million contract, explaining everything to know about the newcomer nicknamed "La Grasa," from his elite durability to his mental meltdowns. Follow Evan on X/Twitter here.  Read Evan's most recent work here

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 showdown between the Tigers and Skubal, including how the process works — and what ultimately decided the case for the back-to-back American League Cy Young winner. Follow Evan on X/Twitter here.  Read Evan's most recent work here

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, including what it means for 2026 and beyond. (Stay tuned every Monday for regularly scheduled episodes.) Follow Evan on X/Twitter here.  Read Evan's most recent work here

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 seasons in charge of baseball operations. Topics with Avila include Mike Ilitch vs. Chris Ilitch, the J.D. Martinez and Justin Verlander trades in 2017, who would've been the manager if A.J. Hinch had joined the Chicago White Sox, Carlos Correa and Javier Báez during the 2021-22 offseason and getting fired (then being asked to stay) in August 2022. He also took deep dives into draft pick decisions such as Jackson Jobe over Marcelo Mayer, Jace Jung over Zach Neto and Riley Greene over CJ Abrams, plus the scouting process for No. 1 overall picks Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene. Aside from the Avila interview, Evan Petzold and Chris Brown discuss Tarik Skubal's upcoming arbitration hearing, the ongoing pursuit of mid-tier starters — and if there's any chance Framber Valdez falls into the Tigers' lap. Follow Evan on X/Twitter here.  Read Evan's most recent work here

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 targeting mid-tier starting pitchers in free agency is the best strategy for the Tigers — and who belongs on that list beyond Chris Bassitt, then Chris takes a deep dive into the Tigers' four consensus top-100 prospects: Kevin McGonigle, Max Clark, Bryce Rainer and Josue Briceño, plus who might be the next prospect from the Tigers to join them. Former Tigers catcher/third baseman Brandon Inge joins the show for a 30-minute interview, discussing the opening of his Inge Performance Lab, the Hall of Fame electees (Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones) and memories from his Tigers career. Evan and Chris also take a listener question about when McGonigle and Clark could join the Tigers for their MLB debuts. Follow Evan on X/Twitter here.  Read Evan's most recent work here

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 who fit the Tigers' roster and payroll, such as starter Chris Bassitt and reliever Seranthony Domínguez, then answer a listener question: If the Tigers don't make another move, is the current roster good enough to reach the postseason in 2026? Ben Badler of Baseball America joins the show for a deep dive into the 2026 international class, evaluating the Tigers' top signings and explaining how the Tigers can gain an edge in the international market moving forward. He also provides an update on record-breaking signee Cris Rodriguez from the 2025 international class after his standout performance in the Dominican Summer League. There's more Tarik Skubal vs. Tigers discussion, as we try to figure out if the salary arbitration showdown is really just a Scott Harris vs. Scott Boras battle (or an owners vs. union battle) — and whether there's a path for both sides to walk away satisfied. Follow Evan on X/Twitter here.  Read Evan's most recent work here