DETROIT -- For the Tigers, 2017 will go down as the end of an era. Justin Verlander began the season hoping for one more chance to pitch Detroit into the postseason, and he ended it hoisting the World Series trophy with the Astros. Several other familiar Tigers left along the way, from J.D. Martinez to Alex Avila and later Ian Kinsler. The young team that was left ended the season with Detroit's worst record since its 119-loss season in '03.
The change wasn't just evident on the field. In the front office, the shift in philosophy that had been hinted at for the past couple years took full effect.