Tigers exec's comments after withdrawing from Red Wings job spurs fan confusion

Last month, the Detroit Free Press reported Tigers general manager Jeff Greenberg was in the running for the Red Wings' top job after Steve Yzerman was demoted to senior advisor in mid-July. The Ilitches' search has now spanned almost two months, but they don't seem any closer to finding a replacement even with the NHL preseason kicking off in less than two weeks.

Greenberg has experience in hockey. President of baseball operations Scott Harris hired him away from the Blackhawks, where he was assistant general manager, in 2023. The two spent time together in the Cubs' front office from 2012 through 2018 before Harris was hired away by the Giants.

However, Greenberg released a statement through the Tigers on Monday, saying he has a "tremendous respect and admiration for the organization and was honored to be considered for the opportunity, but he is committed to the Tigers and what this group is building" and withdrew from consideration for the Red Wings position.

This is ultimately a good thing for the Tigers — the last thing they need is to be searching for a new GM in the offseason when they already have plenty to take care of on the field — but it's also been a reminder for Tigers fans that no one really know what Greenberg does.

Tigers general manager Jeff Greenberg exits Red Wings GM search

No doubt Greenberg's job is far more high-stakes than, say, special advisor Kyle Hendricks', but there's plenty that goes on in MLB front offices that fans aren't privy to. Harris is the most front-facing member of the Tigers' brass, and it's rare that we hear from anyone else.

There's no prescribed structure for a MLB team's front office, and roles become less well-defined the more bureaucracy a team chooses to employ. For example, the Dodgers have a team president, a president of baseball operations, and a general manager. The Red Sox have a team president and a Chief Baseball Officer. Plenty of teams only have general managers.

So how much is Greenberg actually involved in what the Tigers are building? That's actual, real-life inside baseball. Fans have no earthly idea.

But at least the Tigers won't be going into the offseason an executive short. Chris Ilitch and the Red Wings certainly do need to get themselves together and just hire a candidate before the NHL season begins, but Greenberg will be staying at Comerica.

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