alex

Agree. However, should we become sellers and let the other GMs get into a so-called bidding war and get more 'core' prospects from another team? ex CMize (some control years as well)? Then just get a marginal SP for a prospect on our end and continue our run (see last year)? I really do not think any GM is going to gut a farm system for a rental. That is part of my point. The same question I ask; Does Harris have the ability to get some MLB talent to help for a stretch drive? Can he negotiate the equivalent of what others are going to give up and get it? This does not mean any top 50 type player! Is there a pattern here - we (Detroit) have to give up type A prospects to get someone - while in the end another GM has to give up much less (seemingly, in a so-called bidding war) to get the same player? Yet, if sellers, maybe we can sell and capitalize and get a top 50 guy or so 😉

For me that is not a 'benchmark' for Scott Harris. I mentioned he is doing quite well in other areas. It is a part of his ability that I question. Can he get MLB players to help his team in the time of need (now or when Clark, Rainer, etc. are here when/if they are contending then). I think you can get good MLB players in trades without giving up your absolute best prospects (and remember they are porspects - see Baltimore '24). We saw it last year, the year before, etc. No need to give up a top 50 MLB guy to help your team acquire a 'rental'. I will not be disappointed myself if he does not get Suarez, and Bednar and Clase, etc. I/people may very well be when we see 'what' other GMs give up to get the mentioned names who are dealt and what is the equivalent in our system. What to do with Riley in case of a Taylor Ward type? Riley stays in LF of course, lol. Yet, he cannot continue as is or no players are going to help. The acquired OF type player fits in where he can: LF at times (Riley can DH), RF, DH... If it is an INF then they will work that out with the group they have (there WILL be injuries for all teams). Heck, they should really evaluate PMeadows here. I do like him as a player. Yet, could LRobert Jr help (he has option years and will NOT cost a top 100 prospect)? Meadows cannot continue at this pace either. Yes he missed ST, but we are contending? As AJ said/asked (to his team supposedly) after last years deadline deals 'are we in development mode (like for the last 10 years) or are we trying to win games?' My question is and has been can Harris get MLB players to help his team in the time of need (now or when Clark, Rainer, etc. are here when/if they are contending). If not, then we may never be able to actually put ourselves in a better position to win a WS. As I mentioned also, what is Jeff Greenberg's GM role. Does he really have the ability to make a deal or is he just a 'guy' Harris has known, bounces ideas off of, etc. If that is the case, he should have gotten someone who has the ability to help 'negotiate' MLB deals to help him out. I hope to come back here and post a simple 'Yes, X and X player may help' way to go Harris (regardless of outcome) - and also evaluate (just my 2 cents) WHAT did the other GMs actually give up to acquire above said players (ex players you mentioned) and our own teams equivalent thereof.

You make a very good point. This has a lot of history, each team and esp their GM 'thinking' they have 'the guys'. I remember Al Avila saying he was getting many calls one trade deadline for the likes of: Fullmer, Norris and Boyd. His near exact words were "It is like I have gold"... ALL teams/GMs think that way about their prospects and fans buy into it - their fans, lol. IMHO, I think Harris has to learn this still. My next dilemma is what I have asked many times: 'Does Harris have the knack, the ability to make trades for MLB players who can help this team?' Not MLB players for prospects. Harris said before (paraphrasing) 'We need a core'... 'If we are in position we would like to add.' Well, here we are. Yes, a bump in the road recently. Yet, which team does not have this over 162 games? See Dodgers now where many are really on 'MBetts'. ALL teams have struggles during a season. Even the eventual WS winner. Question: Were the Tigers just a fluke for the first 90 games this year? For the last 130 games they played (counting the last 1/3 of 2024)? Yes, they may have played a bit over their heads - but not for 130 games. Right now - they are not this bad. If so, then they could finish 4th-5th in the Central. The Tigers ARE in first right now in the Central. Fans often only see what is in front of them (the last 14 games). Cleveland may actually sell still at this deadline (heck, we did last year and look what happened still). With said there will more than likely NOT be 3 teams into the postseason from the AL Central for 2025. Trades? No way would I deal Clark, Rainer, McMonigle or CRodriguez and or one of Liranzo or Briceno (unless you are getting a star player with years of control). Yet, no team is going to trade anything near equivalent to that get ESuarez or a package for him and say ZGallen. I do think the Tigers need to acquire some pieces to help take some pressure off the current team. This could be done trading prospects (not those mentioned above) for some help. Again, teams will not be trading (because they do not have) the equivalent to get the help they need. Harris needs to get creative. Deal 2 or 4 prospects for 1-2 MLB players who can help. Prospects rated in 6-20 pool are not garbage. If that is the case then there will be no hope for Detroit in the future (remember our system is rated very well). Let the other teams figure out 'what' they would like in that pool. You add Suarez (or someone who can help) and bring back Carp - the lineup is better. Greene, Tork, etc. are under a lot of pressure (yet, it IS part of the maturation process). This helps them be themselves. (note: BTW, that is why I feel AJ really wanted Bregman here. He has the grit, experience, leadership qualities, etc - to help during these competing times). If you would of been told the Tigers were in first place on July 24 before the deadline by 8 games with the first/second best record in the AL - you, Harris and AJ more than likely would of taken that in a NY minute! If that is not enough to be pro-active at the deadline - then nothing is. They have a chance this year. Skubal is here now. Unless the last 130 or so games were a fluke (maybe?) then they should go for it. Again, not trading the top 4-5 prospects I listed (unless acquiring a younger star player with control). Teams will package for the players they feel they want. This team needs a leverage RP, a second RP (maybe LH if the latter is not). Another bat. If not two RPs then 1 and a decent SP, then we can put another arm in the BP. What do I think will happen. We will find out more about Harris's ability to make deals. If he cannot do this - then when Clark, McMonigle, Rainer, etc. are here it more than likely will be NO different when/IF that 'core group is ever in position. We should at least come out with something like Bednar (or KFinnegan) and IKFalafa (or ASlater) along with another 'whatever' RP for a marginal prospect. Not sure that is going to help that much - but it could help some. Optimal one good to decent bat (Suarez, TWard, LRobert Jr, etc. - note: look at how much AVaughn has helped Milwaukee) to help take on some pressure off our hitters and a good high leverage RP who misses bats (Bautista, Duran, Smith, Helsley, etc.). Maybe another RP of some sort (heck ALange, TRainey, DSmith could even be that). The names may not be as important as the ability of the acquired player to help (scouting is key here). We do not and SHOULD not have to give up our very top prospects. A good GM/CEO can swing a deal or two to help make a contending team better. (BTW: I do feel SHarris has done very well with scouting, facilities, drafting, nutrition and looking more into physiology and injuries, etc.) I am not sure what role GM Greenberg really plays. The true improvement (back on the horse idea) must come from our current players. With said a shot in the arm from the GM could help. I hope Harris has the ability to do something here. This is what I have questioned all along - does Scott Harris have the ability to acquire MLB players, not players for prospects, to help the team? Also, there will be injuries for ALL teams. Some will be devastating. Depth is of utmost importance and a little 'luck' must be there as well. Go Tigers 😀

I think one player/RP the Tigers could look into, as could many other teams, is David Robertson. He was pretty good last year, has a history on winning teams and would NOT cost any prospect capital.

I noticed Brewer Hicklen had a big day for Toledo as well 4-6, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI. Just wanted to give you an assist. Great Job with these reports!

Hmm, this is why every time someone says/asks - 'When we are at Full Strength who is going to be sent down?' I just shrug at it because NO team is ever at 'Full Strength' except during the off season, lol. Teams need a lot of Depth this day and age.

Realistically, no team is really ever full force this day and age. Gone are the days of 3 SP's pitching 200 innings on a team and 7-8 position players starting 150+ games per year. Just simply the facts that take many of us who have followed the game for awhile (myself included) - a bit of time to come to this realization. It is good to have a lot of depth. Organizations are now much more aware of this. What baseball could do, to help alleviate some of the injuries? IMHO, is to have a few less games, maybe 28 man rosters, scheduled by-weekend ends a couple times each year for every team (not no baseball played, just different teams getting a weekend off, like what football does) and maybe a couple other things. Yes, it is about money from the viewpoint of some, but people want to see the star players 'play'. Maximum efforts, especially with Ps, requires optimum recovery time. Athletes are only as good and consistent as the allotted recovery time will allow. Actual rest and nutrition are also factors. The trainers are much more versed on these things now - but the actual time off is still 'not' there IMHO. How could the players of yesteryear do it? I suspect one reason was that their bodies were not in the same peak physical condition as many of the players of today are. A well peaked physical player (strength, speed, nutrition, etc.) that plays 5 days in a row is simply putting more demand on the body than a player of 25, 40+ years ago - that was not in the same physical condition. I am 'not' saying the players did not play hard years ago and many were great players. I am saying today the players are more and are more precise with their conditioning and peaking their skills by means of greater knowledge of physiology and use of certain technologies. Their body fat is also lower. They are simply 'overall' expending more energy with the games and conditioning than the players of before ever did. IMHO, that is 'part' of it.

Agreed. Hopefully people with a bit of a passion and some knowledge come into play. IMHO, York, Keating and Kane all did a really good job. I appreciated them and even more now that they have 'not' been on the scene. Have not seen Trevor Thompson recently either on any Tiger pre or post game shows.

Sounds about right - however, you may be missing the IL as someone will be on it. Just simply an annoying fact for ALL teams.

Maybe they will just add Brewer Hicklen?

Yeah, just heard that. Al has always been pretty straight forward. Pretty interesting. He did gamble with a few FAs - but his trades, for whatever reason, never brought too much back. Yet, he did get Reese Olson for DNorris at the very end.

That is about right in today's game. Goes with Fullmer, Norris & Boyd, etc... Health is one key ingredient 'most' everyone does not consider often enough.

I know they are taking it slow with the vets this spring, but besides Jack's one start has anyone heard anything more with Kahnle, Chafin and Flaherty?

Yes, it seems SHarris & co. need to come up with another MLB type player. As you mentioned Verdugo. WMerrifield is still out there... Maybe a deal, someone like SMarte possibly. Though he is at 20 Mil or so, but they might be willing to pay down quite a bit if we give them a decent prospect (No, not top 10 per say). He could help - RHB, can play decent D still (all 3 OF positions), has some speed, etc. Maybe a waiver claim? Depth is sooo important!

Yea, maybe. I am beginnin to warm to the idea of Starling Marte, he might do well at this park. Decent RHB, good D & speed even at his age. However, that would mean Vierling would be more at 3B and it seems he best serves the team in the OF. It would give the team more depth, another RHB and Jung more time to develop at AAA. I have not heard anything about him in connection to the Tigers, but have heard rumors about the NYM maybe looking to move him.

Hmm, I personally felt Kane had a good rapport with most of the players and Jason Bennetti, along with everyone on the broadcasts. I am sure some fans dislike him as would be with anyone. To me he gave good insights with players, it seemed like he got to know many of them. I liked his card collecting references, food reports, etc. as well. Maybe he is taking on a bigger role with the Pistons? Seems like he should of been with the Tigers in some respect. Just IMHO.

Yes, understood and true. However, I have asked several times - 'Does Harris have the ability/the knack, to acquire MLB talent'? We know he can trade veterans for prospects which he has helped the system with several times. Soon we may find out more about the other way around, prospects for MLB talent to help win in the 'now'.

Yes Harris & co. are in the process of developing a farm system, maybe even more important - an ability to develop players. With said, it was under the Avila watch that they drafted or acquired: Greene, Skubal, Meadows, Rogers, Olsen, Jung, Tork, Mize, etc. - now, would his regime have been able to take several of these players to the next level that most are trending towards? That is another question, and history may lean towards the 'maybe not' side of it.

Most all mid market+ teams have 'some' of this going on. It is the price of business unfortunately.

I think all teams of mid-size payroll+ are going to have 25-40 mil of payroll 'lost' in players per say. Right now we have Javy (though he could still be decent - we at least hope). They added Cobb & Flaherty on 1 yr deals pretty much. In '28 those deals, in addition to Javy's, will not be there. Who will we have on the roster then as 'lost' pay per say. It is not a question of 'if' - just who. Is Bregman, say at 20 or 25 mil to be one of them ? If not there will be someone else if not a couple others at least - if we are/remain a mid range salary club. Again I say Front load the deal as you suggested earlier. If not have Plan B & C in the wings. The Tigers are good 'now'. We have Skubal, we signed Torres, Flaherty, Cobb, etc. obviously the FO is trying to move forward this year. That and of course building the farm system which is IMHO the most important thing, and they are doing just that. Kudos big time for that. FWIW, even Jose Iglesias might help as a 'Plan C'. I know many here would frown on that, say give it to the youngsters. We will have plenty of time for that and are doing just that. Not every position has to be filled with someone under 25, especially since we are a potential playoff team. All good teams have veterans. We could use a decent RH bat who plays well in the INF (3B) regardless if it is a player who is blocked who is young or a vet.

Simply - yes.

It would seem Detroit is not a place for anything short term for sure. Yet, if Bregman's market is not there this year, and he will turn 32 next spring, I do not see him getting 'better' offers even if he has a year more like 2023 (not 2024). Most teams are simply not giving into demands like they used to (see Alonso, Flaherty, etc.) and 'know' how player performances are often lesser with advancing age. If Bregman takes a shorter deal or a deal with opt outs - he will need a very good year to get a longer term value deal afterwards. If he does not perform well, gets hurt, plays say 80, 100 games, etc. he will need the longer term - with opt outs. He and Boras of course have looked at every situation. It would seem Detroit would have to believe he is the guy they want, ex this year, next year, etc. Maybe even keep him in the organization. IMHO, Detroit is 'not' a destination for most hitters. Also, we are not going to outbid anyone for any 'big' FA bats ex Vlad, Tucker, etc. - it is not going to happen (see Soto, Ohtani, etc.) - and I agree with this. Draft and develop. Yet, there will be times we will need a good 'veteran'. Will we always be limited to one year deals to position players (rebounds or prove its)? Just IMHO, Detroit would have to go in with a straight 5-6 yr deal worth 'x' (if it makes him feel better include an opt out or two, maybe FL the deal). Bregman then simply must decide - I am good going to Detroit, ex good salary and long term security, with A.J., can contend now, good farm system to compete in the future, and they given me opt outs, etc. IF Detroit feels he is the right guy, then they have to pony up to a certain extent ex 5 yrs 180, nothing too outrageous (yet, what I just exampled may already be!). Remember Bregman is at least contemplating coming here, his agent is a master at getting every last penny from whatever team - including creating the illusion that more teams are out there and/or getting more teams involved. As many have said I do hope they have a 'Plan B & C'. I do often wonder, why not get a player coming off a down year, that has a track record and is younger ex Bichette with Toronto. Make a deal and sign him believing he is a talent who had an off year. How else can Detroit, without overpaying, get a position player to come here? We now go back to a potential Bregman deal - and further back to Pudge, Magglio, Prince, etc. all overpaying to get a 'star' position player here. Draft and development is key for sure. Yet, we will have to supplement at times (overpaying?) - is this one of those times.

I 'think' in the case of Bregman there are other intangibles. SHarris has repeatedly said he wants to develop the farm system, young talent and of course keep a real pipeline to the MLB club. I think this is the most important thing for the health of the organization. I have also head Harris say several times he likes the influence of veterans (the right veterans) on how they can help with young players. With Bregman, from what we all hear repeatedly, is that he is a leader, good clubhouse influence, etc. With this said, we know Harris brings in vets for 10 mil, 12 mil, etc. with 'one year' contracts (call it rebound looks for some instances) each year (see Canha, Torres, Boyd, Cobb, etc.). IF Bregman is aboard, he may not be a 30 mil guy in year 4 or 5 - but he may also allow Harris to not 'have to bring in that veteran influence' per say for that say 14-15 mil which it will be at that point. If they can get him on a more front loaded (FL) deal, even if it is for 5 years, (say years 1-3 are FL) it could be a win-win for both sides. I agree to stay away from long term deals. I felt no way would Flaherty get 4-5 years from us - but what they did works, and now he is here. 'IF' the Tigers think Bregman is a 'guy/dude' they want for a variety of reasons- then a 5-6 year deal in this particular case may work. I feel (maybe they do as well) he could be an 'organization' type guy. With all that said being plan 'A' - I hope of course they have a Plan 'B & C' as well. They need a RH INF who can help. This also puts Vierling back to the OF most of the time - where he may be best suited.

I like the thinking. I would also say that the Tigers have looked/asked Alex (Boras) about many ideas... something like this may well be one of them. Nothing to not like. Though if Alex, a one year opt out with Detroit may not make too much sense because of the park - and he would be one year older next FA season. An opt out with Boston or Toronto would make more sense. With said any good GM/staff can see what a particular ballpark might do in that regard - and add to the fact that Alex will be one year older.

Agreed. Yet, 'IF' the Stros sign Bregman, we could still deal for Parades. It does not have to be a LH OF, maybe a prospect or two from pitching depth (or lower minor position players/Ps). Then Houston could turn around and sign someone like Verdugo to be a LH OF (they had been rumored to have contact with him earlier this off season). Then all the while adding some prospect depth (from Detroit) to their depleted system. Just ideas... Parades, though not a great glove, could still help at 3B, put Vierling in the OF. Also, Parades is still quite young as well.