The Detroit Tigers made a significant announcement at baseball’s winter meetings: manager AJ Hinch has signed a contract extension to remain with the team for the foreseeable future. The news was delivered by the president of baseball operations, Scott Harris, who expressed his excitement about the deal. Hinch himself was delighted about the extension, expressing his love for working with the Tigers and his eagerness to continue in his role.
AJ Hinch, 49, has an impressive managerial career behind him. After spending five successful seasons in Houston, where he led the Astros to a World Series title in 2017, he took over the reins in Detroit three years ago. However, his time in Houston was marred by a one-year suspension from Major League Baseball and subsequent firing due to his involvement in the team’s sign-stealing scandal. Despite this setback, Hinch has proven himself to be a capable and respected manager, boasting a career record of 791-717. In Detroit, Hinch has a record of 221-265.
While Hinch’s coaching abilities are widely acknowledged, the Tigers have struggled in recent years. The team endured their seventh consecutive losing season in 2023, finishing with a record of 78-84. Despite their efforts, they fell short of making the playoffs for the ninth year in a row. However, the Tigers’ management remains optimistic about the future under Hinch’s guidance and believes that the team is heading in the right direction.
In addition to Hinch’s contract extension, the Tigers also announced the completion of their coaching staff for the upcoming season. The team has added four new coaches to their ranks. Joey Cora joins as the third-base coach, bringing valuable experience from his previous coaching positions with the New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates. Anthony Iapoce, who managed the Tigers’ Triple-A affiliate in Toledo last year, takes on the role of first-base coach. Ryan Sienko, who previously served as Detroit’s field coordinator and director of coaching, has been appointed as the catching coach. Lastly, Lance Zawadzki, who has experience as a hitting coordinator in Boston’s player development system, joins as the assistant major league hitting coach.
The contract extension of manager AJ Hinch signifies the Detroit Tigers’ commitment to continuity and improvement. Despite their recent struggles, the Tigers organization firmly believes that Hinch is the right person to guide the team back to success. With a renewed coaching staff and Hinch’s leadership, the Tigers are hopeful for a brighter future. As they continue to rebuild and develop their talent, the Tigers and their fans can look forward to the upcoming season with optimism.
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