alex

Lately, teams have been throwing much more breaking stuff at the Tigers it seems. We still have a team of hitters who simply 'do not like to walk' and will chase especially on 3-2 counts and teams know this so we often get 'spin' in those situations. No wonder Harris and the 'Control the zone' approach, especially in drafting, is so prevalent. This team needs to get it together. They also really could use the bye during the first round of the playoffs - that is if they get in. IMHO, they are not equipped with SP to just 'chaos' it there on out it if they have to play the wild card round initially.

No truer words have ever been spoken.

I remember hearing that as well from A.J. Pierzynski and thinking 'He may have something there' also. Yet, as you said, they should hopefully play here out. If you really think about it, a team 'just' has to play above .500 during actual post-season play to keep moving on - much easier said than done.

Yes, an objective observation is soooo often lost. All "Good" teams have flaws. They lose games. They could have done this and should have done that, lol, during the course. Just follow ANY team for 2-3 months. Maybe better yet, count to 67 slowly and if you think that is a lot of games to lose in a year - well that team is also winning 95 and that is "considered" quite good 😉

Hmm, I am sure they are at least giving it 'a thought', along with a couple others in a similar situation. Maybe more so as a RP.

Yes, they play every game one at a time and have to forget yesterday (plus or minus, especially P's). Hinch has always said something to the effect 'Today is the biggest game'.

True observation. IMHO, rosters should be 27-28 anyways (42 total man roster). For Sept. 1 maybe up to 30. The 40 man Sept. roster was way too many (very rarely did teams actually get to 30 though). With said baseball takes its time making any changes.

He clearly has some ability. The Tigers would not have brought him up last year and back and forth this year if they felt he does not - and he did contribute to the team during the stretch plus. This year, like many players during their sophomore season, the league adjusted and he has to back. Not saying he will be a 'star' but he does have ability, was a first round pick and he can have his moments. The team has won games with him at short and right now Trey playing short and Javy in CF might be their best D. As Chasfh mentioned earlier Rainer is most likely the SS of the future, but for now having a decent+ SS, LH bat, good speed and someone who fits with the team is not all bad.

Yes, there are many more names to add to this. With said this happens with EVERY organization. More so now than ever before. Unfortunately, it may continue for awhile. Clubs have to learn more about recovery science. IMHO, playing 162 games a year is too much. If extra innings were still going with no ghost runner at second to start - the number of pitching injuries would be greater still. Again, IMHO, to start with - Need maybe 28 man rosters (45 overall). Definitely less overall games. 5-6 day rest periods between starts. Look at the weight of the ball as compared to previous decades and more about recovery from workloads. I am sure there is more than that as well.

GORT seconds that!

You are Welcome sir!

I am not sure there is a way to quantify that - at least yet. A star player lose, even at 5-6 WAR, is huge. There is also team psychology involved as well. Look at Garrett Cole with NYY. IF he had been around I would say the NYY might have 5-6 more W's at this time. When they lost Judge recently they fell again. When Cleveland lost JRamirez, and if were again - it is devastating. If Detroit lost Skubal, most here would say it is over - and that would hold merit and only be for 50 games or so and with a 6 game lead, let alone an entire season. You are correct in WAR, for sure - but IMHO, there is more to it than just that. I am not sure if it is measurable.

IMHO, they also need a better approach. To many were swinging out of the 'zone' big time. 'Control the zone' has gone away more so lately. With said we have to stop giving up so many runs or nothing is going to help. It puts a lot of pressure on the offense.

All IMHO. We learned a bit more about SHarris at this 2025 Trade Deadline. First, I still think he has done a lot for the organization in terms of: getting facility upgrades, talent evaluators aboard, nutrition with exercise science and recovery data sought, scouting & development and several other things. The one thing I had questioned for a while now is his ability to acquire MLB talent. Yes, he can get players who 'may' hit that are younger still ex McKinstry, Vierling and Holton. With said he has had numerous other 'shots' with the likes of Maton, Rizzo, Solak, Camargo, Nevin, etc., etc. Not to mention all the arms back and forth. All GMS do this. I/we do not know just how much he tried to get another 'impact' BP piece here. Was it just Briceno (also Clark, McGonigle, Rainer or CRodriguez) or bust to get one? I do not believe that. I somehow think he may have been able to do a 3 (or even 4) for 1 deal for a Helsley or a similar arm. Or for Suarez. I would think a combo of anyone from say our 7th to 25th rated players, that type of thing. Also, he still had JJung, JHM and others to work with. I would tend to think another deal to add quality to go with the quantity he obtained could have been done. Again a 3-4 player for 1 deal. Other teams did accomplish this. The Yankees got Dovel for 4 minor league players and NOT a Top prospect. Seattle did it for Saurez. The Mets for Helsley. I think even GSoto may have been able to help (ex against a heavy LH hitting like Philly - the Mets thought so). Where the Tigers 'may' have been short was young actual prospect arms to get this type of deal done. With said, IF Harris opted not to trade quantity from say the top 10-25 ranked prospects (which is subjective), using multiples to get a better player to add on - then I am mildly disappointed. If you think about it, he used the same quantity over quality approach to get players. If Harris did not do this because he felt even that is too much then I really second guess here. Why? because your are keeping your top farm guys AND adding impact at the expense of potentially lesser players. You are trying to win now and in the future. I still question if Harris has the art to negotiate a bit back and forth when dealing. The knack to get a deal done. I do like that he made deals with several different teams. That he is gaining more experience here. I question just how much GM JGreenberg impacts things with deal making. I also think Harris has a bit of Yzerman in him and a little 'thinking the smartest guy in the room' mentality going on. They both seem very secure with their respective positions. IMHO, a bit more could have and should have been done. I am pleasantly surprised he did get several deals done. You never really know when you are in a true position to win. The Tigers have that now. There is some luck involved with this and there will be injuries to all teams as we move forward. Some injuries may be devastating. Go Tigs!

They are both quite talented and dedicated IMHO. I enjoy them. Johnny knows many on the team it seems. He will do the extra work to help fans learn more ex his previous podcasts whether it is Jack's mom or Englert's meditation and training, Chaffin & Alexander on the farm, Jake at a restaurant, etc. Their hearts are into and it shows for both of them. We ALL have quirks, mannerisms and personalities or moments where we make a mistake or two while working. There is no perfect.