The Tiger Beat: An All-Star Review

We’re back after our own little All-Star Break for TTB.

This week we saw the Midsummer Classic take place in Atlanta, with the NL finally claiming victory in an unprecedented tie-game decision maker that was a first-ever home run competition to determine a winner. This received a little flak from viewers and fans because none of the big-name sluggers like Aaron Judge or Shohei Ohtani participated. In fact, they had already left the park.

We’ve got that and more in today’s news, so let’s get right into it.

Detroit Tigers News:

• Loved to see them there.

• The Tigers were looking fancy on the All-Star Game red carpet.

• MLB dot com broke down a list of one key player for each team in the second half of the season . For the Tigers, they selected Jack Flaherty, and their decision was explained by Jason Beck:

A year ago, Flaherty was a trade piece to get Trey Sweeney and prospect Thayron Liranzo into the system back when the Tigers were sellers. This time, Flaherty isn’t going anywhere, not with a chance at a second straight World Series ring. But the Tigers need to get him out of an inconsistent stretch and back in front-line form to best set up their four-man postseason rotation.

• Another one from MLB dot com, they picked a favorite draft selection for each team . For the Tigers, they selected River Hamilton, and explained:

In the past, clubs had a night to figure out how much money they could use in Rounds 11-20, when only the overage on bonuses above $150,000 count against the pool. This year, they had an hour break. Detroit seems to believe it can find space for Hamilton, the 99th-ranked player on MLB Pipeline’s Top 250. The Oregon prep right-hander, who has an LSU commitment, is projectable at 6-foot-3, is already up to the mid-90s with his fastball and shows the makings of a solid slider and changeup.

AL Central News:

• The Pirates have traded Adam Frazier to the Royals.

MLB News:

• The Giants could be hosting the 2028 All-Star Game, but there’s a condition.
• In related news, Rob Manfred has suggested he’d like to see MLB stars participate in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
• Which All-Stars might get traded at the deadline?
• A quick look at how the tie-breaker of the All-Star Game worked, Derby-style.
• One major complaint about the swing-off was that the biggest sluggers in the game… had already gone home?
• If the Rays make it to the postseason, they’ve been approved to play all home games at Steinbrenner Stadium.
• A look at how Vlad Guerrero Jr. became the much-needed face of the Blue Jays franchise.
• The single best tweet posted during the Home Run Derby.

• This seems reasonable.

• Nice gesture from the Rangers.