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Tigers' Late Season Collapse Not Entirely Surprising, Longtime Beat Writer Lynn Henning Says

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Meyer | Last updated Sep 25, 2025 8:32 AM ET

The Detroit Tigers lost to the Cleveland Guardians for the second time in as many nights on Thursday, falling behind their AL Central rivals by a game in the process.

The Tigers fell out of first place for the first time since April 22, when Cleveland led by a half-game.

Prior to the game a person with deep rooted knowledge on the subject, longtime beat writer Lynn Henning, took to his X account to share a detailed explanation of why the collapse wasn't entirely surprising.

Henning took note of the Tigers' relative youth in comparison to other teams, along with the trajectory they were on prior to the season, citing them as reasons as to why the shocking collapse has happened in Motown.

Tigers' Youth a Major Factor, Henning Says

Henning called to mind the youthfulness of the Tigers' cornerstone players and called the team's core "way beneath prime time" in a comprehensive statement on X prior to Thursday's loss.

"Disposition about this Tigers tumble: Not a total surprise, for this (among many reasons): Team is still very young: (Riley) Greene 24, (Colt) Keith 24, (Parker) Meadows 25, (Wenceel) Perez 25, (Spencer) Torkelson just turned 26, (Dillon) Dingler's a rookie at 27, (Kerry) Carpenter the old man who just turned 28.

"Their core is way beneath prime-time, which is when you tend to win championships," he added.

Henning Addresses Trade Deadline Frustrations

Henning also addressed fans' frustrations with the Tigers' trade deadline moves.

"Nothing they would have done at trade deadline would have changed significantly their one-and-done playoff profile," he said.

"And, very likely, it would have compromised their future, higher-arc years, which will remain on an upward arc if they don't sell off their cast percolating at Double A and Triple A."

Henning added that the future is bright based on the current roster as well as the farm system.

"Organizationally, they just got an A-plus from Baseball America, which has significant expertise and objectivity.

"The Tigers, in this firm view, are about where the Lions were three years ago. People are distraught because they have only one more year of Skubal (contract-wise), and, therefore, it's Detroit's last chance.

"That's the problem with fixating on one player, or one season. It's errant, thoroughly errant.

"An ace will emerge/be added, whatever. It's end-to-end roster strength that wins," Henning concluded.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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