1984Echoes

I think people are hoping/ expecting to see Hendon Hooker start the game off...

PS: I think Mason Miller is Craig Kimbrel 2.0. I want him on the Tigers. Today, if not sooner.

You can tell me how stupid I am for wanting to trade a top prospect for Mason Miller... But for Olson, McGonigle and Briceno: I'm saying yes. And I don't care how stupid you think I am.

So which one is it? You say this: And then you say this: So which one is it? No closer because we're not close enough? Or go all in for the playoffs in 2025? Because if we're shooting for the playoffs in 2025... then YES, closer. You can't have it BOTH ways. Choose one side, or the other. I'm choosing 2025 playoff hunt. Which means: YES. Closer.

Mike Trout numbers. But yeah... I highly doubt Parker could sustain that. Like... 99.9% doubtful. Wait... what's his BABIP?

I think they pick up the option. Unnecessarily fighting (I know he hasn't "proven his worth" for that option to be picked up...) over that money I think engenders bad blood and I just don't see that small amount worth it to antagonize not just Mize... but the rest of the guys who will see it happening. It's just not worth it IMO. Pick up the option.

I think that would be fantastic. I vote for the 50 bps in September and then wait until December... to give a bit of time to see the effect of the 50 bps... and then do 25 bps in December and maybe one more 25 bps in early 2025.

Everything is hitting expectations so far...

You forgot the backend of the bullpen. Everything else looks spot on. But I think we need (I WANT) two shutdown guys to finish games and push the rest of our guys down a notch to more appropriate matchups. I am specifically targeting Andrew Nardi (lefty, blows guys away (career 12.4 K's/9), 26 and controllable for a few more years, best as the setup guy) from the Marlins, and Mason Miller from the A's (righty, blows guys away (15 K's/9 and 4.75 K's-BB's ratio, 0.6 HR's/9, and 0.78 WHIP this year), 6'5" 25 y.o. and controllable for (5?) more years, looks like a dominant shutdown closer for the next 5+ years...). Now Miller will be targeted by just about EVERYONE... And I know a few in here that will say "we're not ready for a closer yet, closer makes no sense unless we're a playoff team, etc....". But that's the point: We ARE ready for the playoffs, even if it's an uncertain, bumpy road to get there in 2025. With no guarantees. NO. We ARE ready to make that push. Cost? Nardi may be gettable since the Marlins are at the very bottom (aside from the White Sox) of a rebuild so relievers should be a tradeable commodity to them. Mason Miller will be a TOUGH get. We'll have to trade some good prospects. No, not Jobe, Clark, or Rainer. But I think McGonigle would have to be included in the conversation, maybe even a starter that is not Skubal or Jobe, but could be one of Olson/ Mize/ Manning/ Montero or anyone they want that is not the top two. A couple other key prospects... But I think we can recover from trading a starter. Sign a Free Agent. Develop one of the other rotation prospects that they're working on... I would rather have Miller and a Plan B to fill the rotation than have an empty spot at the back end of the bullpen and try to rely on Lange/ Foley/ or anyone else to try and fit into that spot. When... they don't. Just my 2 cents.

Dude! The Blues!!! And R&B!!! You lead a "sheltered" life!!!

She was outstanding in Cadillac Records. Playing Etta James. As was Adrien Brody opposite her as the founder of landmark Chess Records in Chicago ("Cadillac" because he always "sold" Cadillac's to his signed performers in lieu of royalties whenever he could)...

If he makes it to spring training... he'll have his chance. But I'm pretty certain he'll lose to whatever other competition is also there... I'll just WAG someone he'll lose out to that we already have (but he's struggling a lot in Toledo...). I'm probably wrong, but... Lael Lockhart.

Yes... They have time (and will have additional info) to decide...

I would be looking to see if he states explicitly that the Fed is looking at both 25 or 50 basis point reductions. I think the market right now is waffling between those two expectations... But one of them is definitely expected as the September meeting.

But that's right now. They've been winning... and I expect them to continue winning at a +.500 rate (which I stated above...) which puts them in the 15th range instead of the 8-ish range by season's end. That's my point.

I would look to: Dump Baez. He's not a "RH'ed bat" anymore. Look for the best RH'ed platoon/ defensive replacement option to match up with Sweeney, whether internal or external. The best option, IMO, is to go after Bo Bichette. He's at least a good option for 2025. Ibanez is a RH'ed option for 1B/ 2B/ 3B. Is there anyone we can get that would be better? I think McKinstry could be replaced with a RH'ed bat. Internally, could that be Navigato? I don't see a need for a McKinstry as an OF'er. We have Greene, Carpenter, Meadows... who all look like starters in the OF. All LH'ers. But Vierling is an excellent RH'ed back up at all 3 positions. Perez looks like a viable switch-hitting backup for 2025. And we still have Malloy as a RH'ed LF'er (hiding him) and DH. Whether that's in Detroit or Toledo...

That says to me though (if the Tigers do indeed finish 15th-ish) that they would still need lottery luck to jump past them into the top 10... I'm not certain I would call that probable...

My thoughts on SS (for anyone's comments... Graterol I'm just using your comments here as a starting point...): Sweeney against RH'ers - yes, OK. He looked fine on the field from what little I saw... maybe he has range limitations? But also... maybe he could be the full-time starter there. I'm definitely penciling him in for 2025, and, if his bat plays at a high-level... I think he will be playing at least against RH'ers and in 50% (or more) of 2025 games as a starter. Baez. Whether Sweeney starts against righties only and platoons with Baez, or proves himself a capable full-time starter and Hinch decides to use Baez instead as a RH'ed McKinstry (defensive replacement for Sweeney as needed... all the way up to the RH'ed side of a platoon with Sweeney, plus Baez is also a capable fielder at 2B and 3B IIRC, and can also play the OF...). There's at least an argument that Baez could stick with the team next year. I'm not saying it's a good solution or argument... I'm just saying there's some logic there (call it faulty logic if you will... but still...). If the Org decides to dump Baez (salary is a sunk cost so we're paying it whether he is, or is not, with the team...) because they just want to find a better player... I don't think anyone will shed any tears. Which leads to... Internal or External options: Internal options are... not great. Andrew Navigato, RH'er, AAA - plays all over the field but I don't believe is a good enough fielder at SS for him to be a realistic option there. Could replace McKinstry anyways if they were looking to add a RH'ed bench guy that can play a lot of positions. Could he be any worse? Kreidler, RH'er, AAA - supposed to have a great glove at SS and has some power (but doesn't make enough contact to get to it that often) but, so far in MLB.. has proven to be a subpar solution. Eddys Leonard, RH'er, AAA - an unknown to me. He's played mostly SS in the minors, but also 2B/ 3B/ and some OF... but I don't know how his fielding is viewed, or whether he would have enough MLB bat to platoon with Sweeney, or just be a defensive replacement as needed, and be more of a RH'ed McKinstry? If Baez is dumped... He at least tosses his hat into the ring. Gage Workman, LH'er, AA - Also supposed to be a great glove at SS, has also played some 2B/ 3B/ OF in the minors... also has power but doesn't make enough contact to get to it often enough... But as a LH'ed Kreidler 2.0... I don't think he fits the need of trying to get a RH'ed bat to play opposite Sweeney. I think he plays in Toledo next year. Trei Cruz, Switch-hitter, AA - Played all over as has everyone else... has bloodlines (Jose Cruz grandfather and Jose Cruz Jr. father)... but hasn't shown enough yet to say he's a good option. He's a few steps behind Workman so that's saying something. Still, if it's only to be a defensive replacement for Sweeney, possibly up to a RH'ed platoon... He may also at least have his hat in the ring next year in spring training and from my viewpoint: I'll just say "anything could happen". Everyone else internally is too further back to be a viable 2025 option, IMO. External options, if we want better options from the Right-side in 2025, I believe we would have to look externally. But I don't see a need to go out and sign a huge contract SS. Someone for 2 years or 3 at most I would think is what Harris would be looking for, at a reasonable cost. So... : Ha-Seong Kim, RH'ed, 4 years with Padres - We'd have to trade for him, but a great option. But would the Padres even be willing to trade him? At what cost? I don't think the Padres will entertain offers for him so moot point IMO. Unless we find out otherwise. Adames, RH'ed, Brewers - is he a FA this year? Here's the problem: How do you sign him away from the Brewers, who are a playoff team? It's hard to walk away from that, and it can't just be "money" as the reason. Money doesn't trump winning, so something else will also be needed to entice. Bo Bichette - it might be possible to talk the Blue Jays into trading Bichette (Not a FA until after 2025), he'd be a good "recovery" option and fine at SS for at least 2025... Maybe more if things work out... And I don't think the trade cost would be prohibitive.. we would just need to match up with what the Blue Jays would want... I think Bichette is the best option, IMO. And as for Bellinger or Alonso types...? I don't think we sign another 1B'man until the Tork situation plays out, at least through 2025... for better or for worse... And the internal positioning is figured out (let's say for example, Hao Yu Lee is brought up to be the 2B'man, and Keith is shifted to 1B... just to use one example...).

Well.... Currently we're tied for the 10th spot but we're winning games and I expect this team to continue winning games (at a +.500 rate) in September so I see us finishing somewhere's around 15th in the league... How is it that we pick ahead of the White Sox next year...?

Look at that SMILE!!! on that first timer!!!

Which was ONLY about the announcers slobbering all over Mahomes... for beating up 2nd & 3rd teamers on Saturday. And had NOTHING to do with Mahomes prior history, which YOU brought into the conversation. Show me where I stated that he can ONLY do things against scrubs. Oh wait, that doesn't exist. Do you want me to spell it out for you next time? Will that help you?

Which has absolutely ZERO to do with the game against the Lions on Saturday.

That and "Superstar Mahomes" did ALL of that against 2nd/3rd teamers. WOW... such an accomplishment...

And I keep forgetting SGL who ALSO should be in the mix next year...

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!