DETROIT -- The Tigers will have a change to their coaching staff for the first time in two years. Anthony Iapoce, who spent the last two seasons as Detroit's first-base coach, will not be returning for next season, a source told MLB.com.
The Tigers have yet to announce coaching changes and have not confirmed the move, which was first reported by Andy Martino of SNY.
Iapoce, 52, joined manager A.J. Hinch’s staff after managing at Triple-A Toledo in 2023. He has a deep history as a hitting coach, including three years each with the Cubs (2019-21) and Rangers (2016-18) and a year as the Red Sox's senior hitting coordinator in 2022. He came back from knee surgery last fall to return to his post at first base.
Iapoce was a popular coach among players, some of whom had a “Coach Poce” T-shirt they’d wear for pregame work.
How the Tigers fill the role remains to be seen. If they want to look internally, former Detroit infielder Gabe Alvarez -- who managed Toledo into an International League playoff race this season following back-to-back Eastern League championships at Double-A Erie -- would be an obvious candidate. He’s currently managing winter ball for Los Yaquis de Obregón in the Mexican Pacific League, and he could be a candidate for other Major League coaching jobs once the managerial cycle shakes out. Conversely, the heavy managerial turnover around the Majors means several coaches from other staffs will be available if the Tigers want to look outside the organization.
Tigers coach Gary Jones served as first-base coach in Detroit in 2022 and was the third-base coach in 2023 before moving to a dugout-based coaching role with the club the last two years. He suffered a fractured ankle after being hit by a foul ball in 2022.