casimir

Hmmm…. I’m slow. I usually don’t get injured. There might be something to this theory.

No, you can’t. And, yes, that’s a compliment to you.

No way, Street Clothes is out?

Somebody has to let Gus Johnson know that he’s wearing too many patterns today. I’m sure there’ll be a meme for it within moments.

Well, that could be. Maybe the decision has been made with Clark and not quite so much yet with McGonigle.

That's fair with Sweeney. It'd be great if he had enough offense/defense combined with adequate everyday options at 2B and 3B that would force McKinstry into a true 3 or 4 times a week starter resting guys around the IF and OF. But his might have sailed if McGonigle is ready (which I'm not sure one way or the other is known). Vierling was simply never healthy last season. If he can rebound to what he was in 2024 and handle OF chores vs LHP and occasionally RHP, I'll take it. As I mentioned above, Meadows has the defensive acumen to buy him a little time with the bat. But the bat only plays in CF and Clark's time is getting closer. So, he's got to figure out a way to hit line drives into the field of play rather than fall into 0-2 counts. Old man Greene needs to level out the toes-to-his-nose bat path. Assistance in the areas above should help him find a bit more time as DH which might keep his body in a healthier condition. Its kind of funny, though, we complain about his physical condition, but is this the first season he's not made a trip to the IL?

I agree, the CF performance from the LHH batter's box isn't going to cut it. I think the defensive performance gives that offensive side some latitude at the beginning of the season and perhaps enough to bridge the gap between now and Max Clark. I wouldn't be adverse at all to an immediate upgrade in CF, but that's not going to happen via free agency. I think trades are trickier to figure out from our seats; well, at least as far as getting them done is concerned.

I think this makes sense. Depending upon how one looks at a roster, at least the position players, catcher might be the most set going into the offseason. I'd say C, 1B, and LF are set. RF and SS are likely stable enough to be set, and maybe CF gets lumped in as well. Figuring out 2B and 3B is the offseason is the position player priority.

I'm not as worried about Vegas pennant odds as I am remembering how things fell apart after the all star game and knowing where they need to address their weaknesses.

I am intrigued at Scherzer starting game 7. Towards the end of his career. A true empty the tank game. The way he gently asked his manager why the 67 he came out to his mound earlier this postseason. Give me that. Oh, and yeah, the first batter of the game will be Ohtani?

Retained.

Using that math, $2.43M for a season of Bregman would yield 162 wins. This might be the new market inefficiency to explore. Stay tuned.....

So Chad Smith is going on tour as Rush's drummer?

Trade from the surplus to address a need. I doubt all four hit, but if it happens, we should all be very happy.

Could Bichette at 2B and Keith at 3B be an option?

Well, who would get displaced, the up and coming rookie or someone like Ibanez/Sweeney? And who's to say the up and coming rookie performs as ready enough right off of the bat? Or what about injury?

A compelling game 5, 6, and 7.

Same. During the all star game, fine. Maybe in between half innings during a regular season game. But not in the middle of playoff action.

As for 2026 position players: Dingler, C Rogers, C Torkelson, 1B Keith, 2B/3B Baez IF/OF McKinstry IF/OF Greene, LF Meadows, CF Carpenter, RF Vierling, 3B/OF Perez, OF That's 11 guys. Need a 2B and/or 3B. Probably another middle infielder? Ibanez, Sweeney, Jung, Malloy,.... unless they don't have minor league options and/or the Tigers need the 49 man spot, they're likely in trouble. I think you appreciate Jones' season and bid him adieu. Seasons like those are tough to repeat and he doesn't fit the defensive caliber. Bregman and Bichette are going to garner the free agency attention. Would Ha-Seong Kim be of interest if he opts out? Seems doubtful given his 2025 season and the $16M player option. I wouldn't be surprised to see someone from the above traded. I doubt that Torres would return on a qualifying offer. Skubal, Mize, Olson, Melton, Montero, Hurter, Holton, Vest, Gipson-Long,..... Madden, Brieske, Foley, Jobe, Guenther, Lange, Hanifee, Smith, maybe Urquidy,..... The pitching is an absolute pile up of names. I'm not sure what to make of it. The minor league options and health thing applies. I think they need a top side of the rotation SP and a couple of legit leverage RP. Not sure if that's enough. Finngean returning would be fine, but I wouldn't necessarily expect a repeat of what he did in Detroit. Olson's health issues and Mize's inconsistency, and Melton's lack of experience, and they just don't seem sold on Montero until they have to break glass.

Freddy Something Freeman?

That makes sense. As I think about things, it almost seems like Dingler is the most immovable Tiger. Seems odd, but I think there's some truth to that.

I can see guys like Ibanez, Malloy, Jung, and even Sweeney on their way out. Although on the other hand, if they have minor league options, maybe they can still serve a depth purpose. Bichette is a FA good candidate as well Perhaps he does make more sense as a cheaper and younger option than Bregman. Not sure his defense is up to snuff for SS long term, but then again maybe it doesn't need to be.

The strike call was bad, sure. I think it was the delay that led to the confusion. Still, Bichette has to be smarter on the base path, and the base coach has to be on top of it, too.

I don’t know. If they return, it’s hard to see how Greene, Carpenter, Torkelson, Dingler, and maybe even Baez aren’t starters.

Well, I guess if I’m going to miss a game….