The Detroit Tigers have made 46-year-old A.J. Hinch the 39th manager in club history.
The Tigers interviewed Hinch on Thursday. Talks progressed steadily throughout the day and night and an agreement on a three-year deal was said to be “close.”
General manager Al Avila tabbed Hinch as a strong candidate almost immediately after Ron Gardenhire resigned on Sept. 19, that despite the fact that Hinch was serving a year-long suspension for his involvement in the Houston Astros 2017 sign-stealing scandal.
The Astros fired Hinch on Jan. 18. Alex Cora, who was Hinch’s bench coach, was also suspended and fired.