Tigers tab ex-Chicago exec Greenberg as GM
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Jeff Passan, ESPN
The Detroit Tigers hired Jeff Greenberg as their new general manager Thursday, filling out their front office a year after Scott Harris joined the team as president of baseball operations.
Greenberg spent the past two seasons as associate general manager of the Chicago Blackhawks, whom he joined after a decade with the Chicago Cubs.
A graduate of Columbia Law School, Greenberg earned the reputation in the Cubs organization for intelligent and detail-oriented work, and in 2021, as an assistant GM, he spent much of the year doing similar duties to those of a general manager.
“I’m thrilled to add an executive of Jeff’s quality to our baseball operations leadership team,” Harris said in a statement. “Throughout this search, it was important for me to find someone who can fit seamlessly into the culture we’re building here. I also wanted to bring in someone with a fresh perspective and new ideas that could challenge us on a daily basis and make us all better as we strive towards our goal of bringing postseason baseball back to Detroit.”
At 71-81, the Tigers look to be on the upswing, with strong years from a core of young players — outfielders Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter, plus first baseman Spencer Torkelson — and promising performances from pitchers Tarik Skubal, Matt Manning and Reese Olson. Colt Keith, one of the best hitting prospects in baseball, should arrive next season as well.
With the retirement of Miguel Cabrera and left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez potentially opting out of the final three years of his contract, the only money the Tigers have on the books in 2024 and beyond is the $98 million owed to shortstop Javier Baez through 2027.
In the American League Central, the worst division in baseball, one good offseason can change the trajectory of an organization.
Greenberg’s influence in the Tigers organization is expected to run the gamut. With the Blackhawks, Greenberg built the foundation for one of the strongest analytics departments in the NHL, which now has more than 10 staffers and will continue to implement the systems Greenberg put in place.
“It’s an extraordinary honor to take on this role with one of the most historic franchises in Major League Baseball,” Greenberg said in a statement. “… It became clear that this organization is headed in a great direction with an incredible culture of development and innovation that I’m excited to be part of.
“Another constant message in those conversations was that Tigers fans want to see winning baseball deep into October. I’m excited to get to work with our front office on off-season and longer-term plans to make that our reality.”
Greenberg, whose father, Chuck, is a longtime sports executive and once owned the Texas Rangers, worked in Major League Baseball’s labor relations department, as well as in lower-level jobs with the Diamondbacks and Pirates, before joining the Cubs.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Mammoth re-signed center Jack McBain to a five-year contract worth $21.25 million on Monday.
McBain will count $4.25 million against the salary cap through the 2029-30 NHL season, which was announced a little more than 24 hours since the team elected salary arbitration with the restricted free agent forward.
“He is a big, strong, physical player who competes hard on a nightly basis and brings a gritty toughness to our group,” general manager Bill Armstrong said. “Jack is an important part of the championship-caliber team we are building, and we look forward to having him back on our roster for the foreseeable future.”
McBain, 25, is coming off setting a career high with 27 points and playing all 82 games. He was one of six players to skate in every game of the organization’s first season in Salt Lake City.
“Jack’s versatility as a player, his care for his teammates and his demonstrated willingness to do whatever it takes to win, are all critical elements to our future team success,” president of hockey operations Chris Armstrong said.
McBain has 82 points in 241 games with the franchise, which moved to Utah from Arizona. Since debuting in April 2022, he ranks third in the league with 832 hits.
Tyler Johnson has announced his retirement after playing 13 NHL seasons and winning the Stanley Cup twice with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Johnson called it a career in a lengthy message posted on social media Monday. Johnson had battled injuries in recent years and is set to turn 35 on July 29.
“As a short kid from a small town, I saw my chances of playing in the NHL as very slim,” Johnson wrote on Instagram. “But my family — my parents, Ken and Debbie, and my grandparents — believed in me when doubt clouded my mind. Their unwavering faith turned that dream into reality.”
Listed at 5-foot-8 and 191 pounds, Johnson won at just about ever level, capturing the Western Hockey League and Memorial Cup championships in 2008 with his hometown Spokane Chiefs and the Calder Cup championship with Norfolk of the American Hockey League in 2012.
The NHL brought more success, as he skated in 863 regular-season and playoff games since debuting in the league in 2013, putting up 498 points. Johnson was part of the Lightning’s core when they reached the final in 2015 and helped them hoist the Cup back to back in 2020 and ’21.
Johnson finished with Chicago, playing three seasons with the Blackhawks, and Boston, signing with the Bruins early last season following his training camp tryout.
“After a lifetime devoted to hockey, I’m ready for what’s next,” Johnson said. “This moment is bittersweet, but I leave the game with no regrets.”
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