Pat Caputo

Caputo: Tigers have been dreadful A week after a trade deadline in which the Tigers made a number of measured moves, but with little sizzle, red flags are flying all over the Motor City.

Who is to blame for the Tigers tailspin? Well, let’s name some names. My column. www.audacy.com/971theticket...

On July 6, Cleveland was 15.5 games behind the Tigers.
Today, a month later, the Guardians trail the Tigers by 6 games.
A 9.5 game swing in a month.

Kerry Carpenter is a genuine difference-maker. The Tigers are SO much more threatening when he is in the lineup.

If Kyle Finnegan keeps throwing like that, he’ll be the bargain of the trade deadline deals.
Javy Baez had been slumping. Not today. Huge, clutch hits.
Nice win for the Tigers.

Caputo: Tigers trade deadline strategy puzzling This was the first excursion into being a buyer at the trade deadline for Harris, and his actions suggest he tried to have his cake and eat it, too.

My thoughts on Tigers deadline moves. www.audacy.com/971theticket...

Rafael Montero has long been an enigma. Has power arm & excellent tech data except command often at bottom of MLB pitchers. Did have moment in sun when he harnessed pitches with the Astros in 2022, but that’s been an outlier. Jim Jarvis was never getting to Tigers 40-man roster.

Big win for the Tigers today, the type that can turn things around. Flaherty and Torres, their big free agent guys came through. Thought Holton and Hanifee holding it together a key. Get E-Rod tomorrow and he has terrible this year.

Double-edged sword cuts bad both ways when you lose 12 of 13.

If Cleveland wins Game 2 vs. KC tonight, Guardians would be just 7 games behind the Tigers. It was 15.5 on July 7.

But even if they lose, KC and Cleveland would be tied just 7.5 out. Royals were 14 behind on July 7.

Deadline Moves Obvious For Tigers Podcast Episode · Bustin' Balls with Pat Caputo · 07/22/2025 · 30m

My podcast on the Tigers draft and the pressure point in regard to trading prospects at deadline. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...

July 7, the Tigers led the Guardians by 15.5 games.
Two weeks later, and just 10 days of games because of the All Star break, that margin is down to 10.
Panic in Detroit?
Not necessarily.
But urgency is definitely the order of the day, don’t ya think?

Tigers' draft will reveal much about Scott Harris Podcast Episode · Bustin' Balls with Pat Caputo · 07/08/2025 · 41m

My podcast on Sunday’s MLB Draft from the Tigers perspective and overall. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...

After 87 games, the Tigers are 21 games above .500 and have a 12.5 game lead in the AL Central.

After 87 games last season, the Tigers were nine games below .500 and 16 games out of first place.

WNBA star rips Detroit expansion: 'Don't know how excited people are ... going to Detroit" Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham expressed doubt about the WNBA's eventual expansion into Detroit and Ohio.

It’s amazing how clueless @WNBA players are on so many levels about so many things. This bit of ignorance from @sophaller is only the latest example why an entity with so much promise is its own worst enemy. www.freep.com/story/sports...

Always hear how the Tigers don’t really have a star player.

Riley Greene is on pace to hit 40 home runs with 130 RBI. His OPS is .904.

Isn’t that the definition of a “star” player?

And he doesn’t turn 25 until September.

John Gibson will help the Red Wings - a lot. Solid start to the off season.

Caputo: Top 10 Tigers prospects The Tigers have the best record in MLB, but their minor league system is thriving to an equal degree. This is look at their Top 10 prospects helps explain why.

My Top 10 Tigers Prospects and why. www.audacy.com/971theticket...

Chaz Lanier has one calling card - catch & shoot. Can he make a similar percentage of 3s from NBA distance? We’ll see. Can he keep up with NBA athletes? We’ll see. But he could fit a specific role on a solid team like the Pistons relatively early on if the answers are yes & yes.

Today is an example of how good Tigers baseball operations is at evaluating.

They gave up no players to acquire Enns, Holton, Hanifee & Jones.

Lee was part of Chafin deal. Pitcher dealt for McKinstry is in AA.

Those six combined for 8 shutout innings & 4 RBI in an 8-0 win.

JK Simmons is to Tigers baseball what Sister Jean is to Loyola basketball!!!

Only 37th overall pick in NBA Draft since 1993 to average double digits scoring is Gary Trent Jr. (‘18, 13.7 PPG).
Just 8 of today’s 2nd-round picks will be made by original team. Others via trades.
Pistons 37th pick originally Raptors. Bucks have Detroit’s original pick at 47.

Caputo: Yzerman's slack is gone Red Wings’ fans, forced to watch their team regress last season because of more poor veteran talent evaluations by the general manager, deserve better.

If Steve Yzerman doesn’t get it right this off season, it’s reasonable to wonder if he ever will. My column. www.audacy.com/971theticket...

It’s egregious Chris Osgood in not in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Caputo: A Pistons' missing piece already there It’s recognizing Ivey would have helped the Pistons a great deal in the playoffs against the Knicks. Ivey with the injured Beef Stew would have helped the Pistons even more.

Why trading Jad n Ivey makes little sense for the Pistons. My column. www.audacy.com/971theticket...

On Tigers & Bo Bichette. Be ideal but…
- Blue Jays are 2 games up in wild card, 4.5 behind Yanks & on pace for 91 wins.
- Toronto is 4th-largest MLB market. Jays have 5th highest payroll.
- Unless they falter soon, Jays are in win-now mode & he likely won’t be available.

Caputo: Michigan underrated for a change The Wolverines’ defense lost its star power to the NFL Draft, but should be sound given this is decorated defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s second year. He did a terrific job of implementing his...

Not much is expected of Michigan this fall, but the Wolverines have a genuine shot at returning to the College Football Playoff. This is why. My column. www.audacy.com/971theticket...

Caputo: 10 options for the Tigers at trade deadline At 44-24, they are tied with the 2006 club for the third-best record in team history behind only the 1984 (50-18) and 1909 (45-23) versions of the Tigers.

Ten intriguing, realistic options for the Tigers at the trade deadline. My column. www.audacy.com/971theticket...

Record, History Suggest The Tigers Are Special Podcast Episode · Bustin' Balls with Pat Caputo · 06/10/2025 · 37m

My latest podcast comparing the current Tigers to their great teams of the past. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...

Tigers lead 2nd place Twins by 7 games, their largest division lead after 67 games since expansion in 1969.

The 1984 Tigers were 6.5 games up.

The Tigers 43-24 record after 67 games is the exact same as 1968 and 2006.

Mike Campbell epitomized what our brother station AM 950 does so well - inform. As a listener, I am so glad they are there, and greatly appreciated Mike. A pro’s pro and just a really good guy. Rest in Peace.

Caputo: Tigers need urgency Organizations will be interested in Erie second baseman Max Anderson, a second-round pick in 2023, who is having a breakout season, and pitchers Troy Melton and Jaden Hamm. All are advanced prospects ...

Tigers should be aggressive moving prospects given the size of this window of opportunity. My column. www.audacy.com/971theticket...