In a surprising turn of events, Tigers manager AJ Hinch has signed a contract extension that will keep him in Detroit for “a very long time.” The news was announced by president of baseball operations Scott Harris at baseball’s winter meetings, and the terms of the deal have not been disclosed. Hinch’s commitment to the Tigers comes after a successful season, despite the team’s failure to make the playoffs for the ninth consecutive year.
AJ Hinch, at the age of 49, has already established himself as a respected and accomplished manager in Major League Baseball. Prior to his tenure with the Tigers, he spent five seasons in Houston, leading the Astros to the 2017 World Series title. However, his time with the Astros was marred by controversy when he was given a one-year suspension by MLB and subsequently fired for his role in the team’s sign-stealing scandal ahead of the 2020 season.
Throughout his career, Hinch has accumulated a managerial record of 791-717. His tenure with the Tigers, which spans three years, has seen improvements for the team. Although they finished second in the AL Central behind the Minnesota Twins, the Tigers had a record of 78-84 in 2023, marking their best season in recent years.
In addition to securing Hinch’s extension, the Tigers also announced the completion of his coaching staff for the upcoming 2024 season. The team made several additions, bringing on board Joey Cora as the third-base coach, Anthony Iapoce as the first-base coach, Ryan Sienko as the catching coach, and Lance Zawadzki as the assistant major league hitting coach.
Joey Cora, a seasoned coach with 11 years of playing experience in the majors, has previously held coaching positions with multiple MLB teams, including the New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, Miami Marlins, and the Chicago White Sox. Cora’s wealth of experience and his ability to connect with players will undoubtedly bolster the Tigers’ coaching staff.
Anthony Iapoce, who was promoted after managing the Tigers’ top farm club at Triple-A Toledo, brings a wealth of hitting expertise to the team. Having previously served as the hitting coach for the Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers, and overseeing the Cubs’ minor league hitting program, Iapoce is well-equipped to guide the Tigers’ hitters to success.
Ryan Sienko, who has spent the past two seasons as Detroit’s field coordinator and director of coaching, will bring his expertise as a catching coordinator to his new role as the catching coach. With his experience working for the Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles, Sienko will play a vital role in developing the Tigers’ catching talent.
Lance Zawadzki, formerly a hitting coordinator in the Boston Red Sox’s player development system, rounds out the coaching staff as the assistant major league hitting coach. His experience and knowledge in developing hitters will be an invaluable asset to the team.
With AJ Hinch’s extension and the completion of his coaching staff, the Tigers are setting their sights on a bright future. Hinch’s leadership, coupled with the addition of talented coaches, will provide a strong foundation for the team’s continued improvement. As Hinch himself expressed, he is thrilled to continue working with Scott Harris, Jeff Greenberg, and the entire Tigers organization.
The Tigers and their dedicated fan base can now eagerly anticipate the upcoming season, filled with the potential for further growth and success under Hinch’s guidance. The managerial extension showcases the team’s commitment to building a winning culture and ultimately bringing back championship glory to the city of Detroit.
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