DETROIT -- The Tigers will stink in 2018.
When players arrived to Lakeland, Fla., in February an article with that headline had been placed on every chair in the clubhouse. A few players, including reliever Joe Jimenez, taped the printout to their locker.
New manager Ron Gardenhire, who claimed to be oblivious to outside noise, was making it clear that he wasn't above using some old-fashioned bulletin board material.
Consider the ploy a success, because two months later, players still remember it.
"I don't know about any of you guys, but no one likes to be told they suck at their profession," said Tigers right fielder Nicholas Castellanos after Saturday afternoon's 12-4 win over the Kansas City Royals.