casimir

Robin Ventura disagreed with him once. Everyone else just wisely let him be.

Thanks. I forgot about his Oakland stint. Knowing his background and the story of Detroit’s social issues, and having a spot in my fan heart for one team careers, it sucks to know that he was traded away. And I know it had to tear him to pieces when it happened. Seeing him trot out to LF for the last game at Tiger Stadium…., man, if that didn’t hit you in the heart for him, I just don’t know what to say.

Ryan was also used as a RP a bit in his earlier years. I’d like to know what his pitch counts were then. Without diving deeply, I think he had a higher BB9 throughout his career. It was definitely higher in his earlier seasons.

LaRussa tried this for a short time in Oakland. Cycling through the pitching staff with guys throwing 3 innings a piece, and having a closer and maybe a set up or long man at his disposal if needed. It didn’t last very long at all, maybe a few weeks. The game has certainly changed since then, but is there anything to take from that experiment to today’s game? Having a bullpen of multi inning abilities doesn’t mean they have to go multiple innings in each appearance. But it just opens up the options on a day to day basis. That’s kind of why I’m intrigued about a bullpen with Faedo, Holton, Brieske, etc. They seem to be able to put together stints that they could go through the lineup once pretty effectively. And I’m not a fan of reliever roulette. I think (although I could be wrong) that bridging the 6th through 9th with fewer arms would eliminate that. Sure, one of those guys could go kaploohey on any given night, but you just bring someone else in at that time.

So, essentially the Tigers (and anyone else in the division) kind of have a leg up on other teams in MLB because, if a team in the ALC can put together an upper 80s win season, they’ve essentially won the division. To Lee’s point, there’s no reason they can’t build the farm and compete for the division right now. Baez’ contract is the only onerous one right now, and it really isn’t one that’s going to break them. They seem to have a way of putting together pitching out of whatever’s available. Leverage that, address the lineup, put a winner out on the field. This fan base is just itching for a competitive team. The region is probably going to go bonkers over the next playoff team.

84 was better. They won the World Series.

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It’s probably regifted.

I don't assume that either one of Keith or Malloy make the Opening Day roster. They might, I don't know. I don't assume what we might see this offseason. I think with Harris having been in charge for a season and having a better understanding of the organization, and also the players having another season under their belt, these are different variables than last offseason. So how will Harris build from that?

Ah, I didn't realize that, thanks. Interestingly his (poor) OBP is pretty much the same vs LHPs and RHPs. Its his SLG% that really shoots up vs LHPs. I'm still not certain he is retained. He's not the "dominate the strike zone" hitter that has been mentioned. But at the same time, which RHH bench IF at Detroit/Toledo is that has performed to Ibanez' level?

Somehow or another, Andy Ibanez has creeped up to a 99 OPS+. I don't expect him to return as a Tiger, but he might have earned himself a MLB deal somewheres next season.

It just takes one team to overvalue that. Oh, and he's a lefty, too? That just adds to the possible overvalue. Don't get me wrong, I'm not at all saying that he needs to be dealt. He's pitched well, although we need to be honest that he's gotten a bit of BABIP help. So, a repeat of this season with more normalized ball in play results aren't going to yield another ERA in the 2s.

I thought 4 wins on this 10 game road trip was about right. Pick up 1 vs each Los Angeles team and 2 vs Oakland. Flipping that 4-6 to 6-4 should be doable now.

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Joe Jimenez is set to be a free agent.

I’ve heard one podcaster bring up Holton for the rotation. I don’t know about that. Honestly, I wonder if the best move is to trade him now at peak value?

Well, providing health and no trades, the rotation includes Skubal around the top and Mize & Manning middle/bottom. I said before I consider this 2 pitchers, although maybe they’re all ready to start off the season. I think Olson is earning a spot with the way he’s pitching. My opinion not too long ago was they needed a top half arm and another reasonable filler, with Olson probably starting in Toledo but probably the first call up. But, he may be getting himself into position to be that latter guy. Gipson-Long has had a couple of nice starts. I’m just not sure I’d be writing him into the Detroit rotation yet. So now how does this manifest itself in the off-season? Free agent 4/5 types might not see an opportunity with Detroit because of how Olson has pitched. So now Detroit might be fishing in the AAAA pond for SP depth more than they thought. But, hey, developing SPs is a nice problem to have. Maybe they can find a Lorenzen/Olson type in those ranks. And who knows, maybe Jobe flourishes enough to where he is ready to make a debut later next season. There are probably worse 8th/9th SP options. I think the rotation days of Faedo/Wentz/Alexander need to be done. Keep them in the bullpen, see if they can handle multiple innings as needed (if retained). Brieske might fall into the bullpen also, and that’s fine. Although if he has options, maybe he starts out in Toledo as SP depth. And obviously Holton, Foley, and Lange are in the bullpen toward the end of the game, but I’d move any of them if a trade presented itself.

I feel shame. It took me a bit to figure this one out.

Time to fire up OOTP and lose a few hours.

Relax, all right? Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring! Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.

Undefeated. I like it.

Sure, he's not a finished product yet. On the other hand, neither is Manning. I think its fair to suggest they are equal pitchers right now, and perhaps Olson might actually be better.

Chet who?

So, has Reese Olson surpassed Matt Manning in the rotation? https://stathead.com/baseball/versus-finder.cgi?player_id2=mannin002mat&year_min=2023&player_id1=olson-000ree&seasons_type=forall&request=1&utm_campaign=2023_01_wdgt_player_comparison&utm_source=br&utm_medium=sr_xsite&utm_id=olsonre01

Detroit Tigers vs Oakland Athletics Watch: Athletics - NBCSCA, Tigers - Bally Sports Detroit Listen: Athletics - A's Cast, Bloomberg 960 AM/103.7 HD2, KIQI 1010, Tigers - 97.1 The Ticket