Leaderboard

"Idolizing a politician is like believing the stripper really likes you"

Nice area.

There's no wondering, frankly, Menzin had as much responsibility for the current state of the Tigers as Avila. Avila has been the face of the fan's scorn, but Menzin is nearly equally responsible.

I dont see his bat speed as an issue. I think he is in his head a lot right now. This is a guy who has never struggled for long at any level. I believe he needs to get out of his head in the batters box as he looks indecisive which has not been an issue in the past. I don’t know if it’ll be later this year or next year but I believe his bat still has huge upside for us, even if he’s not had the start everyone was hoping that he would be right away.

It's a new day ... And dammit, I have hope now.

Chris was born on 3rd and thinks he hit a triple.

Cleveland Guardians (58-52) at Detroit Tigers (43-69)

Whether the scouts have a good take on the guy at the point Carpenter reached is pretty much irrelevant. If a guy has an OPS >1000, there isn't much he going to gain from looking at more AAA pitching - so he's either going to break through or not. Either way once he's no longer challenged at AAA there really is nothing more to do other give him his shot and see what happens. Your development system doesn't exist for the benefit of AAA, it exists to determine if the guy can make it or not. In Kody's case, his minor league clock is running out - same deal, you have to prove what you do or don't have. In Baddoo's case, I'd have been fine with him staying in Toledo until he had proven more. My complaint with the handling of Baddoo is that wherever you have him, he needs to be playing every day

Another example of scouts knowing more than fans reading minor league boxscores?

Beto O'Rourke is awesome! He called this guy a mother fucker for laughing at kids being shot with AR 15s/

No real update to provide. I'm like the lessons well enough, but I'm not doing anything exciting. Just learning the strings and chords. July was a bit of a setback. I had COVID and then was travelling once I recovered. Not much practice time or lessons, so picking it back up after that I had some catching up to do.

This is so cool!

Good point. And the fact that Al Avila sucked at his job isn't really a polarizing opinion or one limited to Detroit sports fans. All of these guys leaguewide know it... for all we know, maybe the Tigers will end up interviewing one of these "longtime executives" that spoke on the condition of anonymity to Ken Rosenthal about Al's tenure. Chris' comment is impolitic, and it elides his responsibility for not acting sooner on the GM. And extending him as well. But it really wasn't inaccurate... the responsibility for the trade is on the GM. And I dont think other MLB Execs think it's inaccurate either.

I think right now my top choice would be Randy Flores scouting director of the Cardinals. I like the fact he comes from a winning organization, is a former MLB player with obvious scouting experience but also has a Masters of Science degree and is extremely tech and analytic savvy. Of course he doesnt have GM experience and there are certain skills that takes that he hasnt shown yet but from what I read about him and from what I seen of him when he did TV work I think he could handle and hopefully excel at the job.

All these elected representatives failing to show…. Scofflaws. What are the repercussions for them? You or I would have warrants issued for us. So much for “respect” for law and order. This is ludicrous, and incredibly insulting.

Worth noting that it’s ticket renewal time. I wouldn’t be shocked if some strong feedback was given by current customers. My “executive” happened to call me today to check in and ask when the next game I would be at.

Whoever the next GM is, I hope they come in and gut this scouting and player development staff from top to bottom. Our player development, especially when it comes to positional players and developing everyday ballplayers, is a complete joke. There is a reason our farm system has plummeted in the ratings recently. A reason why those we call up frequently don't look ready for primetime. A reason why you can't name any positional All Stars developed by this organization. Who is is the last home grown, perennial All Star we've had from this organization? Who is the last positional player we've developed that is worthy of batting in the 1 through 5 spot in the lineup? Once they get traded out of Detroit (see Nick Castellanos or Andrew Miller) do they seem to really turn it up and develop into top-tier players. The scouting and player development side of this organization needs a complete overhaul and I hope it gets one.

Crappy performance across the board aside if there is any truth to Javy's quote then Coolbaugh and Co. should be fired for that alone. Yeah a good hitting coach isn't going to turn a nobody into Ted Williams but what the good ones can do is identify what a player is doing wrong and correct it. Just like a PGA Instructor isn't going to turn somebody into prime Tiger Woods but those Instructor's usually can fix or identify what the player is doing wrong and maximize their abilities. By the sound of things Coolbaugh and Co. aren't doing anything of that nature. I get the sense that their "coaching" consists of a 1 size fits all tutorial or thought process and isn't catered to a specific players needs or problems. Of course I'm not in the clubhouse so it may be unfair for me to make that accusation but between that Javy quote and seeing virtually every player under his watch get worse with no real signs of progress makes that a pretty fair assumption until proven otherwise.

maybe we should start a countdown, like: "It's August 11, why is Scott Coolbaugh is still employed?......"

Uhh, Jarvy's comments are interesting here....

It's nice of Soto to immediately turn to garbage after not being traded, just to rub it in

They will and nobody on the right will change their minds or opinions. Consistency and common sense are not a requirement to court GOP voters. They can use the anger to fundraiser and enrage the voters into voting. Drag it out.

There will be a Detroit Lions #9 jersey enshrined in Canton one day. Hopefully for us, it will be for Jameson Williams.

For the first few years he was playing the long term game. In that time he traded Verlander, JD, Kinsler, Upton, Wilson, Greene, Castellanos, and Avila the Jr. Those trades didn't net one first division player. And aside from his top five picks and Skubal, his drafts and international signings didn't add anything either. He ran out of time and couldn't keep rebuilding so he tried to win with what he had. It's why he should have been fired several years ago.

Norris starts tomorrow

Why hire Luhnow when you can hire someone else who can also win for you? I get that guys like Theo Epstein and Jeff Luhnow have a track record, but there was a time where they were once unknown executives who earned jobs in this league as well. I just don't know that this whole "Epstein/Luhnow or bust" mentality is right. I do obviously agree that independent voices would help in ascertaining who the right person is, but the right person doesn't necessarily have to be the big name guy. Go find the next Epstein or Luhnow...

Thank you for posting these—much appreciated!

There is no question he signed off on the deal, that doesn't mean it was his idea, however.

Remember, Chris Ilitch has no say in what happens, he just hires the GM.

https://www.blessyouboys.com/2022/8/10/23291518/detroit-tigers-al-avila-firing-chris-ilitch-aj-hinch

I would have to look around the rest of the league and see in general how the ex scout fairs in the GM role before coming to the conclusion that you need to go a different avenue. Just cause Avila was a putz doesn't mean they all are.

Win one for Al boys.

He was fucked the moment he got the “welcome to the show” handshake from Coolbaugh in the clubhouse. Just a touch is all it takes for him to pass his suck on.

The 2019 D on the hat was billboard size! It was atrocious. I think that was Chris’ idea. The Tiger through the D was awful as well. This team has one of the coolest hats out there and these morons spin their wheels trying to ruin it.

When people who are ticket holders today are not renewing for next year… that’s a problem. That’s my point. They are seeing something.

The Rolling Stones "Under My Thumb"

My work here is done.

Chris Illitch did not inspire confidence at the Press Conference. I don't think he's very plugged in. I think we already knew that, but to me it just cements that fact that winning is not a priority. Theo Epstein? I highly doubt that. To me, Al Avila should be just the start. I think the scouting department needs a total overhaul and so does the developmental staff........this has been going on far, far too long. I'd be interviewing people that work or worked with closely with Andrew Friedman. If the formula is to be in contention 5 out of 6 years and getting to the World Series once a decade - I'd take that.

🤣😂🤣😂 Brooklyn Nets reportedly asked for Jaylen Brown AND Jayson Tatum for Kevin Durant

I understand where you’re coming from but…Chris was asked specifically about JV and JD. This organization has been a flaming turd for years now. If Al was responsible for the shit, lay it out there. He’ll, we all knew it. It’s no secret Avila was in way over his head. The fans deserve to get an honest cut from the owner if he’s willing to talk. Illitch needs, more than anyone, to learn from this. He doesn’t need to play Steinbrenner but he should have an idea of what really is going on in the organization.

The only potential positive I could take from this fiasco is that Chris is making a statement that he will never fire-sale his top assets off like that again.

1) hooray! 2) about fucking time. 3) now they have some hope.

As a reminder, they hired a bunch of folks from outside of the organization last year around this time. All the old guard need to be swept out, but idk if indiscriminately firing everyone is the right idea either. It all kinda depends on who they hire I suppose... it may not matter depending on who they hire.

Unfortunately it's being audited.

When else would it be? Now's kinda the lull for front offices. You don't want to cut the legs out from the draft or the trade deadline.

I loved everything about this. You can see the pitcher visibly shaken - & a kid thought nothing of comforting an opponent.