Tigers' latest roster move seems like they're trying to get a rise out of the fanbase

As if the Detroit Tigers' trade deadline wasn't confusing enough for fans, the roster moves that have followed over the past two weeks have really left us befuddled. From demoting one of the team's relievers of the month to getting absolutely nothing out of Luke Jackson, everybody is wondering if someone in the front office has gone off the rails.

It continued on Thursday, too, ahead of the team's four-game series against the Minnesota Twins. Unless there's something we don't know about that isn't being relayed, the Tigers recalling Bailey Horn and sending Sawyer Gipson-Long back to Triple-A doesn't compute with a single person.

AJ Hinch's comments on Wednesday afternoon perhaps foreshadowed that, but after Gipson-Long fired two scoreless innings on just 17 pitches in the 1-0 victory over the White Sox, it felt like that was something that Tigers could potentially lean on until the results suggested otherwise. They need length in the worst way.

Gipson-Long has been making a comeback from injury, but has very much been solid across his 57 innings in the minor leagues and MLB this season (4.32, 1.04 WHIP in MLB, 3.66 ERA, 1.06 WHIP in MiLB). And it's not like his 17 pitches on Wednesday forced the Tigers to scramble for a fresher option these next few days. It really just feels like somebody is trying to get a rise out of the fanbase.

Tigers News: Sawyer Gipson-Long replaced with Bailey Horn on MLB roster

As for Horn, it's almost comedic how many times he's been traded over the last two years. He's by no means an asset, and has proven to be roster filler ever since he debuted in 2024. And his minor league numbers are a concern. He has a better ERA than Gipson-Long, but his 1.49 WHIP (fueled by an egregious 4.6 BB/9) simply can't be part of what the Tigers view as even a short-term solution for this bullpen.

The only argument here is that Horn is a left-hander and the Twins boast a lefty-heavy lineup ... but again, is a suboptimal lefty really going to help out?

Not to mention, Gipson-Long has been an excellent story this season after not pitching at all in 2024. Isn't a successful return after such struggles something worth keeping alive so the vibes can maybe turn the team around after their recent rough stretch?

Perhaps bringing Horn to the active roster helps this weekend. It's not out of the realm of possibility. But if it doesn't work out, fans are going to voice their displeasure even more.