Dingler Snaps Tigers’ Gold Glove Drought with First Win!
Well, gosh darn it, Detroit, we finally have some hardware coming our way. Well, specifically, Catcher Dillon Dinger does. For the first time in forever, a Detroit Tiger is bringing home some serious hardware. Dingler has officially been named the 2025 American League Gold Glove winner, and for those of you who watched him all season, you shouldn’t be surprised.
Let’s call it what it is; it’s the end of an eight-year defensive drought for the Tigers. The last time a player in the Old English D took home this honor was second baseman Ian Kinsler back in 2016. To find the last Tigers catcher to be recognized as the league’s best defender, you have to rewind all the way to 2007, when the legendary Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez secured the award. That’s the kind of company Dingler now keeps.
Dingler’s season behind the plate was nothing short of spectacular, throwing out runners left and right with that cannon of his. He finished the season with a stellar .997 fielding percentage, committing only a handful of errors across more than 1,100 innings. But the eye test told the real story. His command of the pitching staff, his uncanny ability to block pitches in the dirt, and his impressive pop time consistently neutralized opposing running games. Statistically, Dingler ranked near the top of the league in Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and was a leader in framing runs, effectively stealing strikes and changing the complexion of at-bats all season long.
The recognition from Rawlings and the league’s managers and coaches validates what Tigers fans have seen developing over the past couple of seasons: Dingler is a franchise-caliber defensive catcher.
Skubal Joins the Elite Conversation
As if Dingler’s Gold Glove wasn’t enough to get the fanbase buzzing, the good news kept rolling in. Ace left-hander Tarik Skubal was officially named a finalist for the American League Cy Young Award. This nomination is the culmination of a dominant season that saw Skubal establish himself as one of the premier pitchers in all of baseball.
Skubal was a force on the mound, consistently shutting down the best lineups the league had to offer. He finished the year with an ERA well below 3.00 and a WHIP that hovered around 1.00, showcasing his elite control and command. His strikeout numbers were staggering, as he piled up over 200 punchouts while demonstrating a masterful mix of his fastball, slider, and changeup. His performance was a beacon of consistency for the Tigers’ rotation and a primary driver of the team’s success.
Being named a finalist places him in the conversation with the absolute best in the game. It’s a testament to his hard work and development, solidifying his status as the undisputed ace of the Detroit staff and a cornerstone of the franchise for years to come.
Offseason Murmurs and What Lies Ahead
With the awards season kicking off, the MLB offseason is now officially underway, which means the hot stove is just starting to heat up. While the Tigers have foundational pieces in players like Dingler, Skubal, and Riley Greene, speculation is already swirling about how President of Baseball Operations Scott Harris might look to augment the roster.
The team showed significant improvement in 2025, but holes remain. Rumors from national insiders suggest the Tigers could be active in the trade market, potentially looking to leverage some of their prospect depth to acquire a proven middle-of-the-order bat. The primary focus appears to be adding consistent power to a lineup that, at times, struggled to produce runs.
While Harris has been characteristically tight-lipped about specific plans, his track record indicates a preference for calculated, strategic moves over blockbuster splashes. The front office’s goal will be to build a sustainable winner around its young core. The recognition for Dingler and Skubal proves that the core is not just talented, but among the league’s elite. Now, the challenge is to build upon that foundation.
With a Gold Glove winner behind the plate and a Cy Young finalist on the mound, the future in Detroit certainly looks bright. That, of course, all depends on whether or not they decide to trade Skubal.
What move do you think the Tigers need to make this offseason to become a true contender? Drop a comment down below or head over to the Tiger Cage for more discussion
Info gathered from team reports, pressers & trusted Michigan outlets — the way we always do it at Mitten Sports Talk.
