alex

This makes sense. Even if we are or are not going to get higher priced per say FAs then they need to consider this. Trading prospects does not mean the higher end types (Keith, PMeadows, Campos, Jung, etc.). Teams evaluate differently and a fringe guy for us may be a strong consideration for another organization (and vice-versa). Any way to make the team/organization stronger moving forward has to be considered. It may not be as cut & dry as 'Sellers or Buyers' - maybe both.

OMHO, perhaps the days of teams SPs (most ALL teams), all being fully healthy at once may be few and far between. Depth this day and age is of utmost importance. Remember hearing on a national TV game last year, from a former SP, saying every team going forward will need 10 SPs ready to go between MLB/AAA+. It is just the reality.

All IMHO: I am beginning to wonder why is this management so concerned about getting spots 20-26 on the roster filled. They need top talent. More everyday types. All the utility guys that maybe do not K so much and walk a bit are 'not' going to make up for the lack of stronger talent. Yes, some combo of McKinstry, Vierling, Maton, Skolak, Rizzo, Ibanez, Nevin, Short, etc. are 'ok' - and it is a good thing that they play multiple positions (however so could Goodrum, Jones, Castros, etc.) but this team needs 'Talent'. If the team is so consistently bad, talented players will not want to come here FA wise. There is a difference between a 65 win team and a 75 win team - 10 games. The point is things can change fast. Heck 2 weeks ago we were thinking of competing for the division, now to avoid a 100 losses. Who knows in two weeks again (seriously). FA and trades are not the answer (but a couple can help). Drafting and developing young talent IS a big part of the answer. Yes, the past administration did 'not' draft very well. Too many SPs. That mindset has hopefully changed and all teams this day and age need apx 10 SPs between the MLB staff, AAA/AA and long relief on hand (Q - what do Mize, Manning, Skubal, ERod, Turnbull, Faedo & Jobe have in common right now?). I have mentioned repeatedly the days of 3 SP on a team throwing 200+ innings are loooong gone! (note: perhaps an outlier staff or two may occur.) Crazy, we used to think in the 90's to early 2000's how could any of those previous decade SPs toss 250-300+ innings... I do not see the point of A.J. talking about McKinstry now being thought about for some games in CF. We heard all this before (again Goodrum, Jones, Castros, Reyes, etc.). Forget that. He can play 2B, 3B and sometimes a corner OF spot. FAs? There is a difference here with position players and Ps. Ps will more likely come here as they know Comerica has a reputation as a 'pitchers park'. Still, a team can try to get '0ne' position player a year that could be a longer term fit (easier said than done of course). Trades? This is where scouting really comes in hand. This list was posted by SeattleMike: https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-trade-candidates-change-of-scenery-2023 These type of players may be worth 'calculated risks'. Drafting and development are the key and supplementing from there. You do not have to wait for a core to 'develop'. We have Greene, Tork, Carpenter, Keith, Malloy, PMeadows, JJung, Campos, Dingler, etc. If this developmental staff cannot get 3 'good' players out of that group, well then... We will have 3 of the top 46 picks this year. Let's start adding now - as things in baseball (esp this division) can change very quickly. On another note: I am not sure what has happened to Haase. Seems he is now, and has been, in the very low production area (with the exception of 2-3 games this year). C is an area that may need more attention. Go Tigs.

Agreed. A good thing. The only thing I would like to see implemented is during the extensive ABs ex 12 pitches+. At the 12 pitch point to one batter, add an additional 20-30 seconds at least at that point (one time). This way the pitchers arm is not overly extended during a short period. I swear I have seen this effect Ps (and their arms 'health wise') shortly afterwards.

Indeed! A good win for the team. It will not be easy, as roster was stretched/reaching before, but IF they can play 'close' to .500 this next month+, there could be some semblance of interest/hope for much of the remainder. There are going to be injuries for ALL teams. Opportunities for some younger players here and we may pick up another vet or two. With said some should be coming back as well from the IL - dare I say it - it is always more fun to have hope in July+... 🫢 🙂

IMHO, maybe a combo of things: ex 1) payroll (if worth a raise). 2) Put those funds towards another player (a different dice roll). 3) He had been here for awhile and maybe brass decided best to 'change' (some pressure and perception of change to fans and press as mentioned earlier). 4) Maybe try to change the clubhouse culture as this team has been 'losing' for awhile now. Players get too comfortable sometimes and a 'change' is often needed so a wake-up may take place... Jeimer is a decent player (though streaky), but maybe it was time for a change from both sides. Could always try to resign him later... How does that FIRST resonate with each reader. Maybe that was part of the answer as well on how the team feels.

Yea, I do like the potential shorter timeline with Langford. Yet, if Jenkins is an exceptional hitter, then perhaps the timeline is 'not that long' as well. Here is where scouting comes into play. Also, as mentioned, the Tigs have 3 picks in the top 46 or so. They hopefully will make some hay here.

This would make sense for 'now and the future'. We might be able to get a player for both 'time periods' ex for 1-2 decent prospects (maybe not top). There may be a good team (or not so good) with a blocked player. Seems Harris has done this with several who are now playing more & helping (here in the D) who would not have as much elsewhere.

Seems the Cubs went more this route for their contention run and WS title during 2016+/- years. It makes sense and we already have several young 'high draft pick' SP choices on the current roster - Now, can we keep them healthy to get 2 of 3-4 for several years at 175 IP🤔.

IMHO, there is something to be said about that. Also, they can help in a pinch at the MLB level - while still emphasizing most of the 'process' on the younger players and development. Let's face NO team has all 26 roster spots filled with 20-27 yr olds (MLB is not AA ball) and you can bet the expected winning teams have quite a few 30+ yr olds. I do get it of course, that we are developing and a process is taking place - but this is an MLB team, hence an MLB payroll and fans are paying MLB prices to view in whatever venues of choice. That and you never know when an injury takes place, and someone may ask about a player (or even help out here) to potentially get a lottery A ball type. ex Trayce Thompson of last year (yes, I know that transaction was cash).

Maybe they look at Gibbs as more of an all around offensive player/threat, ex both as RB & WR. This way they get one player for/with two purposes.

All IMHO. Why do we wish to trade any talented players (ERod, Javy, etc.)? Well you could say so we can 'get some young talent back' and reduce payroll. Yet, next off season many may will be clamoring to sign some significant players (like ERod and Javy 😉) hence, perhaps not too much sense there. Sure we could gamble and say SHarris and staff will be better at this than the previous regime. However, you should be darn sure in who you acquire (yet all prospects are a crap shot). Things can turnaround quickly (see Cleveland and young talent). We have to develop players we have 'now' (Tork, Greene, Malloy, PMeadows, Keith, etc.) and Draft well (and develop). As far a SP we have to have several of quality that can pitch 150 innings. Who projects as that? Who did last season? The Mize, Manning & Skubal projection could still be legit - but right now and also last year they barely can pitch 175 combined!! (minders of projections of Fullmer, Boyd and Norris). No team can continue to improve very much if they are not getting IP from their starting staff. We have to have SP who can give innings. The BP will be decimated if SPs are not giving some innings and we will then have AAAA SPs all over AND an overused BP and a constant 'losing games' mentality among the team. This is a sane reason why not to just trade ERod, Boyd, Lorenzen, etc. (for 'iffy' prospects). Even if they end up leaving, for the salaries paid to them, we can replace them (or even re-sign some).

Well put, all of this makes good sense and brings about organizational 'talent' !

IMHO, Harold could hit and had a knack with it. However, walks were few and he had base running limitations and not much instinct with that part of his game. He was versatile, better than some gave credit for player - but by no means a standout at any position. Zach is starting to grow on me as well. Not sure what type of career he may have but he hit go gap to gap, has some speed (both excellent for Comerica Park) and good baseball instincts - at least it seems that way, but that does not mean every player does not have a gaff now and then (Harold had several on the bases and did not seem instinctive there). Zach seems to have a game plan and knows the situation each time on base. At this point perhaps the Tigs got a little better here and maybe at the least a decent role player for a period of time.

Yes, a very good point. The team has to get to this marker. They did it in '21 with development of Mize, Skubal, Manning, Haase, etc.... it looked like Grossman, Candy and Baddoo, etc. could do close to or the same for '22 and hence they added several, what looked like, 'key' players. Whatever the core is now - they really need to uptick their game (and/or development) and then you may be able to add to it as other players could see a 'vision'. That along with further development of a few more younger players (Keith, PMeadows, Flores, and/or whomever surprise... along with a sound draft). The management has to have a vision of what they wish to try to accomplish. I do have one major concern - and I have said it many times here 'depth' because of the many injuries in the game today, all around the league. It is more important than ever before. So, in other words the adage 'luck' is always a factor. As JLeyland used to say 'Your best ability is your availability' and paraphrasing on his next one 'The team with the most healthy good players will almost always do well.'

Yes, we have gone over this a few times here... It may be more than trying to add 1-2 MLB FAs per say ex for the line-up, BP, etc. to be more respectable. There are going to be injuries and if you have nothing but AA players filling in for AAAA types you are asking for trouble, so there is the idea of depth. Then, the 'potential' building blocks (Greene, Tork, etc.) need some pressure taken off them. If not it just continues - yet, that is why we have AMeadows, Baez, Schoop, Haase and Miggy. With said Baez & Haase have been very slow so far. Schoop has given indications now for over a year of less production... Miggy, as you said, is a shell of his past self - but can still hit a bit at times. Meadows gave indications of his struggles last year (best to him and his family as health is first and hopefully he can come back even if sporadic, and contribute, but he may need time at AAA). The other thought is perpetual losing builds a psyche that can snowball. I feel that happened with some of the last group (Castro's, Reyes, Goodrum, JJones, Candy, etc. - that and the talent base of course). Do a couple FAs solve this - IMHO, of course not. The players also have to choose - if they want to come here as well - and I still feel we tried on a couple, but 'no go'. We can hope we still get some production from the list mentioned and that would be more than what has gone on so far - (ex Schoop, Baez, Haaase, etc.). Sooner or later they will have to add another 'guy' or two. Some of the Minnesota players, so I read somewhere, said CCorrea changes the attitude in the clubhouse to expect more, to win - of course where did they finish last year? and the oppo is look at what Cleveland did, one of the youngest teams in the game, but they are fundamentally very sound. I like Vierling, but that 'no' slide into second base was inexcusable. He had that base stolen with Maton at the plate. Haase running on a ground ball right in front of him, taking him out of scoring position - again no excuse. These things have to change. Maybe 1 or so every 4-5 games - but 2 in 3 innings? I, like many here feel, they are a bit better than what has been seen thus far - but they have to 'play' the game smarter (manager included) and some need to step it up. Go Tigs...

That is true to an extent - however, often in ST teams do not have their A lineup in the game in the late innings. Sometimes they extend players towards the end of camp, but even then managers often take out a few of them to avoid injuries and you then have several 'A' ball types who are in the game that get invited to the big league camp that am.

Was thinking along those lines as well. When, not sure... Javy does have a good amount of experience at 2B really. Like you mentioned with the Cubs and also with the Mets, 2021, as after they got him at the deadline they put him at 2B with FLindor at SS. Also the WBC this past year. He could be an elite 2B IF the Tigs come up with a SS at some point (could even be RKreidler if he hits or PGraham, etc.).

Yeppers, they did show some things during this series. There is some hope in that they can play some good games (there will be ups and downs and injuries), develop some younger talent and depth and - just perhaps they have a 'vision and direction' moving forward 🤔 ⚾ 🧭

All IMHO, this is a reason to have decent vet players in the lineup. To take 'some pressure' of these two. Imagine a lineup of all AA- AAA players? We are NOT Toledo or Erie. IMHO, few prospects playing MLB can develop that way. There is also the idea of constant losing. It may become habitual, accepted, expected, etc. With said, 5 players JBaez, AMeadows, JSchoop, Miggy, EHaase have to produce 'some'. I do agree that not signing WMyers, etc. this past off season was not going to make a whole lot of difference. However, the idea is really more about taking some pressure off Greene & Tork. I, like many, feel they can handle 'some pressure' but not the entire offense just so an org can find out from other youngsters 'who can play'. The Tiger organization should be able to tell during this season who can and cannot become part of the next core from players on the current MLB team, AAA and some as low as AA (ex maybe CKeith). They also have some draft positioning this year. I believe 3 of the first 46 or so picks. They need to capitalize there. So, back to vets who can help, of those 5 listed, 3-4 need to produce some. This will take a bit of pressure of the Greene & Tork. However, Greene & Tork need to take the next steps as well. The team is not so deep as they cannot take a flyer on a player like EFlorial. That is not the same as WMyers, etc. He is young, affordable and controllable for awhile. The question is do they think they have more talent within? Why go after McKinstry, Witherspoon and Paulson and NOT go after an arguably better positional player prospect? There will also be injuries to vets and youngsters alike and hopefully in 2 mos. we are not thinking they should of grabbed so-so when they had a chance. For some reason, and I am not sure why (the time is not now of course), I am not sure how aggressive SHarris will be with actual talented players on the market in future years. Just seems like he likes reclamation projects and potential undervalued AAA types with his time here and in SF. Of course players have to be willing to come here as well. Things can change very fast (see Cleveland Spring 2022, predictions and into the beg of the season and their avg age, etc.). I actually think Chris I. is ok with adding talented players, just as he was last year (ERod, Javy and Chaffin, etc.) - when the time comes.

Thanks for the data! So, it would seem the first month of the season it goes by the standings of last year, (If I remember correctly) as the worst to first as you said . Then once May 1st is upon us it would go in accordance with the current season standings. (note: I may need to be corrected here)... If the above holds (based on last years standings for the month of April) - that means two teams, Oakland and KC would get first dibs, then Detroit and so forth. We may be looking at several waiver claims through the season. I do feel EFlorial may be one of the more interesting players (not that it means that much but he was a top 100 MLB Pipeline for a couple years as well).

Does anyone know how DFA works? A team puts in a claim? or is the claim based on last years standings, ex the team with the worst pecking record puts in first claim has to work out a deal - and if not then the player is waived or would any team have a chance for a deal straight up and NYY choose which deal? IMHO, some team(s) more than likely would put in a claim for this player (EFlorial). ... not entirely sure how it works.

I posted this on another thread- any more thoughts (Thanks casimir): Should the Tigers look at Estevan Florial, DFA, from the NYY? https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/flories01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2023-04-01_br They just brought in LHB McKinstry, Paulson and Witherspoon. None have the pedigree of Florial. That is 'not' to say Florial is the better player or they 'should' do this - but he is young (same exact age as RKreidler), has athleticism and tools (speed, power and arm, decent glove as well) and has had success at AAA. He is out of options, but is not Arb eligible until '26. Would this be a 'calculated risk' worth taking? or do we have simply better options. He does have some swing and miss tendency but does also have the ability to draw some walks. The NYY are always in a 'Have to win now' mode and maybe initially brought up Florial too early, hence the scenario. IMHO, this type of player could possibly do well in Comerica Park (reminds me of Granderson early on). I also think Vidal Brujan, back in the minors with Tampa, might be a good fit for the Tigers/park as well (we'll see on McKinstry though... ).

Should the Tigers look at Estevan Florial, DFA, from the NYY? https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/flories01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2023-04-01_br They just brought in LHB McKinstry, Paulson and Witherspoon. None have the pedigree of Florial. That is 'not' to say Florial is the better player or they 'should' do this - but he is young (same exact age as RKreidler), has athleticism and tools (speed, power and arm, decent glove as well) and has had success at AAA. He is out of options, but is not Arb eligible until '26. Would this be a calculated risk' worth taking? or do we have simply better options. He does have a swing and miss tendency but does also have the ability to draw some walks. The NYY are always in a 'have to win now' mode and maybe initially brought up Florial too early, hence the scenario. IMHO, this type of player could possibly do well in Comerica Park (reminds me of Granderson early on). I also think Vidal Brujan, back in the minors with Tampa, might be a good fit for the Tigers/park as well (we'll see on McKinstry though... ).

Totally agree. Enough of the 'higher' end on base guys, with bat to ball skills and some power and/or speed to go with, cannot hurt the organization and depth.