Tigers To Part Ways With Two Coaches

The Tigers are expected to make two coaching changes involving the major league staff. Assistant pitching coach Juan Nieves and first base coach Anthony Sanders will not be back with the club, reports Cody Stavenhagen and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Nieves has been with the Tigers since 2021. He’s worked under pitching coach Chris Fetter for the duration of his tenure with Detroit. Nieves has ample experience on big-league staffs, including as bullpen coach with the White Sox from 2008 to 2012 and as pitching coach for the Red Sox from 2013 to 2015. Nieves spent three seasons as the Marlins’ pitching coach before joining the Tigers organization.

Detroit ranked sixth in ERA this year. A half season from Tarik Skubal certainly boosted those numbers, but the team also got solid production from unheralded names like Drew Anderson and Keider Montero. Troy Melton took a step forward in his first full season in the majors. Jackson Jobe seemed to make good on his big prospect pedigree in a nine-start stint with the club to close the season.

The Tigers’ bullpen was generally solid, outside of a down season for Kyle Finnegan and a major injury to Will Vest. The team will have a decision to make on closer Kenley Jansen. The veteran has a $12MM club option for 2027.

Sanders spent one season with the Tigers. He previously served as first base coach for the Orioles from 2020 to 2025. Detroit will enter 2027 with two new base coaches. Third base coach Joey Cora was let go in July. Billy Boyer stepped into his role to close the season.

The Tigers were one of the least-active teams on the basepaths this year. They ranked 29th in stolen bases, ahead of only the Astros. Detroit was also second-to-last in stolen base attempts. It’s technically an improvement, as the Tigers were last in steals and attempts in 2025. Part of the lack of running has to do with the roster without much speed. A full season of Max Clark should help boost the numbers next season. Kevin McGonigle could also run more. He only stole a dozen bases this year, but had 32 steals in 162 minor-league games from 2024 through 2025.