Tigers need to better leverage the AJ Hinch effect after Kenley Jansen's comments

Kenley Jansen didn’t just sign with the Detroit Tigers this offseason — he testified.

When asked why he chose to sign in Detroit, Jansen didn't just give generic free-agent lip service. He specifically mentioned the Tigers' "winning culture" and wanting to be "part of a great thing."

This was a veteran closer with a Hall-of-Fame résumé talking about culture, belief, momentum, and a team that feels like it’s on the verge of something real. He talked about watching the Tigers. He talked about the playoffs. He talked about conversations with the coaching staff. He talked about wanting to finish what they started.

That’s the A.J. Hinch effect in action — and now, the Tigers need to lean into it harder than ever.

Because this is exactly the type of moment Detroit has spent years waiting for: a respected, proven star choosing the Tigers not because they overpaid, not because there were no other options, but because he believes in the direction of the organization. That doesn’t happen by accident.

Hinch changed everything when he took over as manager of the Tigers. He changed how players talk about Detroit. He changed how opposing teams view Detroit. He changed how free agents talk about Detroit when the microphones are on — and when they’re off.

Jansen didn’t mention facilities. He didn’t mention money. He mentioned a winning culture. He mentioned accountability. He mentioned belief. That’s not accidental language — that’s what happens when a manager creates buy-in across the league.

And here’s the part the Tigers can’t afford to mess up: you don’t just enjoy that reputation — you weaponize it.

Kenley Jansen is proof that Tigers' AJ Hinch sales pitch works

For too long, Detroit has treated moments like this as the destination. “See? Players want to come here!” Then… nothing. A quiet rest of the offseason. Another “wait and see” lineup. Another spring where fans are told internal growth will solve external problems.

That cannot happen again.

If Jansen is openly saying “I want to be part of this story”, then the front office needs to treat that as a green light — not a victory lap. This is the moment to go back to agents and say, "This isn’t a rebuild anymore. This is a winning environment. Come be part of it."

You don’t waste that credibility. You spend it.

Jansen referenced conversations with George Lombard. He referenced watching the Tigers in October. He referenced how the culture shift is visible from the outside. That means the Tigers’ internal messaging isn’t just resonating inside the clubhouse — it’s leaking out across the league. Veterans notice. Contenders notice. Players who care about legacy notice.

The Tigers finally have something more powerful than cap space: belief. But that belief can quickly turn into frustration if it comes without follow-through.

This fanbase has endured teardown after teardown– false dawns, half-measures, promises of patience that never came with payoff. If the Tigers truly believe Hinch has built something sustainable, then they need to act like it.

Add another bat. Add another arm. Push the chips forward while the league is watching Detroit differently for the first time in a decade. Because this is how windows quietly slam shut — not with failure, but with hesitation.

The Tigers finally have a manager whom other players want to play for. They finally have momentum that feels organic, not forced. They finally have veterans choosing Detroit because it means something again. That's rare, and it's powerful.

Jansen didn’t just join the Tigers — he validated them. Now it’s on the Tigers to prove they understand what that’s worth.