Detroit Tigers News: Former All-Star passes away, Anthony Santander, Roki Sasaki

Emma Lingan

Wild Card Series - Kansas City Royals v Baltimore Orioles - Game 1 / Patrick Smith/GettyImages

The Detroit Tigers and their fans mourn the loss this week of former outfielder Charlie Maxwell, the oldest living Tigers alum, who passed away Dec. 27 at age 97.

A native of Paw Paw, Michigan, who played college baseball at Western Michigan University, Maxwell began his pro career in 1947 as a pitcher in the Boston Red Sox system before converting to the outfield after just 10 games. His contract was sold in 1954 to the Baltimore Orioles and then again in 1955 to the Tigers.

Maxwell did not become an everyday player until 1956, when he hit .326, led the Tigers in home runs (28), and was selected to the American League All-Star team for the first of two consecutive appearances. He was dealt in 1962 to the Chicago White Sox and retired after the 1964 season, ending a 14-year Major League Career.

A lifelong Michigan resident who was forever proud of his small-town roots, Maxwell was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1997.

We are saddened by the passing of former Tigers outfielder Charlie Maxwell and share our condolences with his family and loved ones.

A native of Paw Paw, Michigan, Maxwell played 8 seasons in Detroit, was a two-time All-Star and at 97 years old, was our oldest living alum. pic.twitter.com/IlvtlBuWDC
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) December 28, 2024

Rest in peace.

Detroit Tigers free agency updates: Anthony Santander, Roki Sasaki

After the Tigers signed second baseman Gleyber Torres to a one-year, $15 million contract last week, their primary remaining target in free agency appears to be third baseman Alex Bregman. In fact, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reported that the Tigers "appear to be all-in on Bregman" and that "both sides are engaged in ongoing discussions with mutual interest." The two sides remain separated by a gap in value, however, with Bregman seeking a contract worth $200 million and Detroit unwilling to meet those demands.

If the Tigers aren't able to land Bregman, Anthony Santander remains another viable option to upgrade their lineup. A power hitter from both sides of the plate, Santander has drawn interest from the Tigers, though the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Angels are considered favorites to land him. If the Tigers were to sign Bregman, utility player Matt Vierling would likely rotate among all three outfield positions. If they were to sign Santander, he would start in right field, while Vierling would likely platoon at third base with Jace Jung.

Coveted 23-year-old Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki also remains on the Tigers' radar, and the club has already submitted its materials and presentation to Sasaki's agent, Joel Wolfe. Wolfe is expected to get back to the Tigers after the holidays about a potential in-person meeting, which would have to come at Sasaki's request.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres remain the frontrunners to enlist Sasaki's services; but until Sasaki decides whether or not to request an in-person meeting, the Tigers still have a chance.

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Emma Lingan

Emma Lingan is an MLB Staff Writer for FanSided primarily covering the Pittsburgh Pirates. She has been covering baseball for more than a decade dating back to her time as a student at Wake Forest University, and she has won two gold medals as a member of the U.S. National Team delegation (2016 Pan-American Championships & 2017 World Baseball Classic). A native of Washington, D.C. and current resident of Nashville, Tenn., she is also entering her seventh season as a credentialed NHL media member and currently covers the NHL’s Nashville Predators for The Hockey News. When she's not watching hockey, baseball or football, she enjoys podcasting, reading, going to the gym, consuming large amounts of coffee and taking long walks with her dog, Minkah. You can follow her @Emma_lingan on Twitter and Instagram.