The 2014 Detroit Tigers season was the team's 114th season. This was the team's first year under a mostly new coaching staff led by rookie Manager Brad Ausmus. On September 28, the last day of the regular season, the Tigers clinched the American League Central title with a 3–0 win over the Minnesota Twins. The Tigers finished one game ahead of the Kansas City Royals, with a 90–72 record. It was their fourth consecutive American League Central title. They became the first AL Central team to win four consecutive titles since the Cleveland Indians won five straight from 1995 to 1999, and the first Tigers team to ever make four consecutive postseason appearances.Detroit Tigers achieve rare feat with fourth straight division title, took wild ride to get there MLive.com, September 28, 2014 Despite all of this, the Tigers' season ended on October 5 when they were swept by the Baltimore Orioles in the American League Division Series.Tigers' rally falls short, season ends with ALDS sweep MLB.com, October 5, 2014 This snapped Detroit's streak of three consecutive American League Championship Series appearances.
The Tigers would not return to postseason play until 2024. As of 2026, this season remains their most recent AL Central title.
Roster moves
Coaching staff On October 21, Jim Leyland stepped down from his managerial position after eight years with Detroit.Leyland steps down after eight years with Tigers MLB.com, October 21, 2013 He later confirmed that he joined the Tigers front office as a special assistant to team president/GM/CEO Dave Dombrowski.Jim Leyland says he will be 'special assistant' to Dave Dombrowski, Detroit Tigers Detroit Free Press, January 8, 2014 On November 3, the Tigers announced Brad Ausmus was named Leyland's successor, and signed to a three-year contract with a club option for 2017.Tigers tab Ausmus as club's next skipper MLB.com, November 3, 2013 On November 3, the Tigers announced bench coach Gene Lamont will return in the same role for the 2014 season.Lamont full circle as Ausmus' bench coach MLB.com, November 3, 2013 Hitting coach Lloyd McClendon did not return for 2014, as he was named the new manager of the Seattle Mariners on November 5.Mariners name McClendon next skipper MLB.com, November 5, 2013 The Mariners later hired former Tigers bullpen coach Mike Rojas.Former Tigers coaches Mike Rojas, Andy Van Slyke added to Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon's staff MLive.com, November 25, 2013 On November 6, the Tigers announced Jeff Jones would return as pitching coach. They also announced the hiring of Dave Clark as third-base coach and outfield instructor.Ausmus retains Jones, adds Clark to coaching staff MLB.com, November 6, 2013 On November 17, the Tigers announced the hiring of Wally Joyner as hitting coach, Mick Billmeyer as bullpen coach, and Matt Martin was named to the newly created post of defensive coordinator. On November 18, the Tigers announced the hiring of Omar Vizquel as the first-base, infield and baserunning coach.Omar Vizquel to be Part of Tigers Coaching Staff MLB.com, November 18, 2013 On November 25, the Tigers announced the hiring of Darnell Coles as assistant hitting coach, rounding out their 2014 coaching staff.Tigers name Coles assistant hitting coach MLB.com, November 25, 2013
Signings On November 21, the Tigers avoided arbitration with relief pitcher Phil Coke with a one-year contract.Tigers reach one-year contract with Coke MLB.com, November 21, 2013 On December 2, the Tigers avoided arbitration with utility player Don Kelly with a one-year contract.Tigers retain Kelly with $1M deal before deadline MLB.com, December 2, 2013 On December 4, the Tigers signed closer Joe Nathan to a two-year, $20 million contract, with a club option for 2016.Tigers, Nathan announce two-year pact MLB.com, December 4, 2013 On December 11, the Tigers signed outfielder Rajai Davis to a two-year, $10 million contract.Tigers finalize two-year deal with outfielder Davis MLB.com, December 10, 2013 On December 13, the Tigers signed pitcher Joba Chamberlain to a one-year contract worth $2.5 million plus incentives.Tigers, Chamberlain agree to terms on one-year deal MLB.com, December 13, 2013 On January 8, the Tigers re-signed shortstop José Iglesias to a one-year, $1.65 million contract.Iglesias, Tigers agree to one-year deal MLB.com, January 8, 2014 On January 17, the Tigers avoided arbitration when they reached one-year deals with pitchers Al Alburquerque, Rick Porcello and Max Scherzer, and outfielders Andy Dirks and Austin Jackson. Scherzer, the reigning AL Cy Young winner, received a $15.525 million salary for 2014.Tigers sign Max Scherzer for 2014, avoid arbitration cbssports.com, January 17, 2014. On January 31, the Tigers avoided arbitration with catcher Alex Avila, agreeing on a one-year contract worth $4.15 million with a club option for 2015.Tigers' deal with Avila clears arbitration slate MLB.com, January 31, 2014 On February 24, the Tigers reached one-year deals with third baseman Nick Castellanos, outfielder Steven Moya, and pitchers Drew Smyly, Kyle Lobstein, José Ortega, Luke Putkonen and Evan Reed.Detroit finalizes one-year deals with Smyly, six others MLB.com, February 24, 2014 On March 1, the Tigers rounded out their 40-man roster by signing one-year deals with pitchers José Álvarez, Ian Krol, Melvin Mercedes, and Bruce Rondón; catcher Bryan Holaday, second basemen Steve Lombardozzi Jr. and Hernán Pérez, and third baseman Francisco Martínez.Tigers sign Lombardozzi, seven others to deals MLB.com, March 1, 2014 On March 24, the Tigers signed outfielder J. D. Martinez to a minor league contract.Tigers sign Martinez to Minors deal, add outfield depth MLB.com, March 24, 2014 On March 28, the Tigers signed Miguel Cabrera to an eight-year, $248 million contract extension. Combined with the $44 million the Tigers owed on the remaining two years of Cabrera's current contract, the total ten-year commitment is worth $292 million, and will keep Cabrera under contract until at least 2023.Miggy, Tigers agree on record extension MLB.com, March 84, 2014 On March 29, the Tigers purchased the contract of outfielder Tyler Collins from AA Erie.Last set of moves brings roster to 25 MLB.com, March 29, 2014 On May 2, the Tigers signed relief pitcher Joel Hanrahan to a one-year, $1 million contract, plus incentives.Hanrahan signs one-year deal with Tigers MLB.com, May 2, 2014 On August 5, the Tigers signed relief pitcher Jim Johnson to a minor-league contract.Tigers ink reliever Johnson in hopes he regains form MLB.com, August 5, 2014
Releases On October 30, the Tigers announced they will not re-sign backup catcher Brayan Peña.Tigers inform backup Pena he won't return for 2014 MLB.com, October 30, 2013 On November 1, the Tigers announced they had declined the option on relief pitcher José Veras' contract, making him a free agent.Jose Veras becomes free agent after Tigers decline option MLB.com, November 1, 2013 On November 1, the Tigers announced relief pitcher Darin Downs left the Tigers and was claimed off waivers by the Houston Astros, and utility player Matt Tuiasosopo left and was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks. On November 24, free agent shortstop Jhonny Peralta left the Tigers and signed a four-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals.Cardinals agree to contract with free agent infielder Jhonny Peralta cbssports.com, November 24, 2013. On December 4, the Tigers announced they will not re-sign free agent relief pitcher Joaquín Benoit and released him to free agency.Benoit not likely to return to Tigers as setup man MLB.com, December 4, 2013 On December 16, free agent second baseman Omar Infante left the Tigers and signed a four-year deal with the Kansas City Royals.Royals announce $30.25M, 4-year deal for 2B Omar Infante foxsports.com, December 16, 2013. On January 30, free agent utility infielder Ramón Santiago left the Tigers after eight years and signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds.Former Tigers infielder Ramon Santiago, Cincinnati Reds agree to minor league deal with camp invite MLive.com, January 30, 2014. On April 20, the Tigers released shortstop Álex González.Tigers release Gonzalez, call up Worth MLB.com, April 20, 2014
Trades On November 20, the Tigers traded first baseman Prince Fielder to the Texas Rangers for second baseman Ian Kinsler and cash considerations.Kinsler joins Tigers as Fielder dealt to Texas MLB.com, November 21, 2013 On December 2, the Tigers traded starting pitcher Doug Fister to the Washington Nationals for second baseman Steve Lombardozzi Jr. and pitchers Ian Krol and Robbie Ray.Tigers send Fister to Nats for three players MLB.com, December 2, 2013 On March 21, the Tigers traded pitcher José Álvarez to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for shortstop Andrew Romine.Tigers acquire Romine from Halos for Alvarez MLB.com, March 21, 2014 On March 24, the Tigers traded second baseman Steve Lombardozzi Jr. to the Baltimore Orioles for shortstop Álex González.Tigers get shortstop Gonzalez from Orioles MLB.com, March 24, 2014 On July 23, the Tigers traded pitchers Jake Thompson and Corey Knebel to the Texas Rangers for reliever Joakim Soria. On July 31, the Tigers traded outfielder Austin Jackson to the Seattle Mariners, and pitcher Drew Smyly and shortstop Willy Adames to the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-team deal to acquire pitcher David Price.Tigers land biggest Deadline prize in Price MLB.com, July 31, 2014
Season highlights
Individual accomplishments
Pitching On May 5, Max Scherzer became the first pitcher in franchise history to start a season with seven or more strikeouts in his first seven starts, and the first American League pitcher to do so since Mike Mussina in 2003.Detroit 2, Houston 0: Max Scherzer pitches eight shutout innings in Tigers' win freep.com, May 5, 2014 On June 12, Max Scherzer ended a drought of 178 career starts without a complete game when he pitched a complete game shutout in a three-hit 4–0 win over the Chicago White Sox. This was the longest stretch any major league starter had gone without a complete game since 1900. On July 1, Rick Porcello became the first Tiger to pitch back-to-back shutouts since Jack Morris in 1986. Following a 6–0 shutout win over the Texas Rangers on June 26, he shut out the Oakland Athletics 3–0 in his next start. In the latter game, Porcello became the first Major League pitcher to throw a shutout without a walk or a strikeout since Jeff Ballard on August 21, 1989, and the first Tiger pitcher to do so since Dizzy Trout in 1944.Porcello extends scoreless streak with shutout of A's MLB.com, July 1, 2014 On July 26, Drew Smyly became the first Detroit Tigers left-hander to strike out at least 11 batters in a game since David Wells on June 4, 1993.Smyly bends in sixth inning of 11-K effort MLB.com, July 26, 2014 On August 14, Max Scherzer recorded a season-high 14 strikeouts in a 5–2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.Scherzer dominates with season-high 14 strikeouts MLB.com, August 14, 2014 Coincidentally, Max's career high of 15 strikeouts in a game also came at the expense of the Pirates, on May 20, 2012. On August 20, Rick Porcello recorded his third complete game shutout of the season in a three-hit 6–0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Porcello ties Henderson Álvarez for the major league lead in shutouts. Porcello's three complete game shutouts are the most by a Tiger pitcher in a single season since Jeff Weaver threw three in 2002.Tigers 6, Rays 0: Victor Martinez crushes grand slam, Rick Porcello tosses three-hit shutout in Tampa MLive.com, August 20, 2014