alex

Agreed. Depth is of utmost importance. Baddoo just has to maintain focus and he will get a chance to prove (or not), more likely sooner than later, that he is a productive MLB player.

Yeah with you on Hernandez. Can see maybe Houston looking at him? I am even more surprised with ABaddoo. Speed will play a much bigger role this year and as it did in ST players like Baddoo can now help create more offense. He had a 'decent' spring... IMHO, he should of made the team. I wonder if there is more to it? He just has to go down to AAA and play well (like last year). McKinstry was good a AAA last year. Some pop, decent speed (niether exceptional though), LHB and quite versatile (but out of options). I am not sold on Kreidler's bat yet and I think he can benefit with more 'steady' ABs at AAA. You mentioned it before he missed a lot of last year. I will not be surprised if they make yet 'another' move soon...

Agreed. Heck, he is just a yr older than Tork. Not every decent player is 'good' before age 27-28. All good teams have players that are vets, some cast-offs, etc. We are just trying to get a nucleus of players under say 26 and Baddoo is in that mold and he 'could' be part of a said core/nucleus.

Yes, have said it before and will say it again: Depth on the roster this day and age is of utmost importance. Gone are the days of even 3 SPs on a team pitching 200 innings. You need 8-10 SPs today ready for 150 IP each. Also gone are the days of a team with 6-7 position players starting 150+ games each. We remember when we could rattle off good teams starting lineups. Because of inevitable injuries and the league (and union) not quite up to snuff in understanding the workloads that today's players endure on their bodies (conditioning big time, practice time and the games, etc.) this will be the case (with occasional outliers) for awhile. IMHO, a few lesser overall games on the schedule (ex 150-155 maybe), more players on the roster (I would say 27-28, yet it took sooo long to get it to 26!!), more days off in season (ex scheduled 7 inning DHs, maybe 2-3 per team) and maybe a few other tweaks would help. We all want to see the star players and the quality of the games not compromised - there will need to be some changes in the future. All IMHO, of course.

Yep, so much entertainment to go along with the sheer love of the game that most of us share. They were not good per say, but much more entertaining than '74 & '75. They also had All Stars RLeFlore and RStaub. SP Dave Roberts was decent and John Hiller quite good out of the BP. They brought up Jason Thompson and his 'roof top' homers. Horton, Stanley & Freehan was still on the team and productive when healthy. A gold glove caliber 3B in Aurelio Rodriguez. The 'Bird' made it magical and easy to remember. As one poster said, today it would be a bit different. Yet, regardless we enjoyed it. It was a very memorable year for Tiger baseball.

IMHO - Yes. There also has to be alot depth as injuries will occur (with all teams) and that will keep the Toledo shuttle quite active. The players who start at AAA initially - will hopefully have the right attitude (ex Ibanez/Baddoo/Carpenter/Nevin if on IL, etc.). It seems JSchoop has to get off to a decent start (first showing now in the Spring he still has it). It more than likely will be a short leash if not - yet, he is still young enough (and reported in actual better shape) to simply bounce back after an off year. CHernandez so far is looking decent and he works the count and is playing around the IF dirt. I would not even be surprised if there a is a deal for another multi-positional type younger player ex VBrujan of Tampa, or someone similar (He does have 1 more option I believe, but perhaps nowhere to really play there as they have alot of IF depth). Speed is coming back to baseball and the Tigs, playing out of Comerica, can take advantage of that if they get the right players. So far possibly with Vierling, Baddoo even JDavis as possible depth. PMeadows would also be in this category - but he really also has alot of upside in several areas.

I do not see why Nevin is a 'seat-filler' and Kreidler may be more the furure? They are both apx the same age. Nevin had a higher pedigree when drafted (former no. 1 and NOT by the Tigers). IMHO, Kreidler has to hit 'some'. Yes, he has a lot of defensive talent and seems to have a high BB IQ - but he will still have to hit some. Maybe a couple hundred ABs and playing everyday at AAA can help Ryan. I would like to see him hit .260 or so there really. Cesar has ability, has done this for a long time and is not 'over the hill yet' - again just IMHO. He may be getting closer to that point, however... Depth is soooo under rated and maybe playing constant youngsters PT in the big leagues may not always be the best thing. Yes, we want to draft & develop young players - yet, as far as the MLB team, because of injuries most all in camp no doubt will get chances at both AAA and MLB.

All good points. Personally I never minded the extra innings. I am a real fan of the game. However, I totally understand this and am very much for it. IMHO, the health of the players is of the utmost of importance. You simply cannot deplete a staff for a single game, makes NO sense and this then has further repercussions, as you mentioned (Edman85), to the pitching staffs at AAA, AA, etc. Eventually maybe the league and union will realize a 27-28 man roster may be best (though it took a long time to get to 26). There are simply too many injuries this day and age and there are many reasons. One, the athlete him/herself may just be over conditioned (Though not a university degree, I was a trainer for many years including some pros). There may be too much 'overall' physical training and that is why many staff's are now realizing there are times to cut back on total workloads. This in itself is a science that dabbles into several areas: kinesiology, nutrition, genetic factors, rest, etc. and although there are 'generalities' there is no 'cookie cutter' way as many bodies act differently. Second to that, the average fan is not interested in 3+ - 4 hour long games (many of us here are not the avg fan of course). That extensive game length is probably not appealing to many who may begin to have interest in watching the games as well.

Is there not some tax benefits as well? Not a major reason if so - but does not hurt.

Good move as in 'nothing' to lose. Amazing - how every year there are several MLB players that have to go to camp on MiLB contracts (at least to start). I actually think there 'may' be 1-2 more of these in the next 10 days or so as a few players will be scrambling to get to camp. Perhaps the Tigs may be a 'choice' now.

Good points, mediums to play out to, many players looked at (minus the bully). Nice post !

Looks about right. However, there is most often always going to be injuries. IMHO, unless JRogers wins the starting C position outright it would seem that he may need to get regular ABs, for at least awhile, because he did miss all of last season. CHernandez more than likely may have an opt out if he does not break camp. They may even have one (or more) invite(s) to bring into camp. The WBC will allow for a few players (in every camp) to get more 'look-see' time as well.

Cannot hurt to be stashed at AAA and see if he can improve a bit. Has big power, good arm and an athlete. 'Had' good plate discipline in the minors but not in his brief MLB stint. Maybe they can help his 'contact' game a bit at Toledo.

So there is an official date that players can be put on the 60 day IL that are currently on the 40 man roster? It would seem several teams may be going this route of course to give out a few potential MLB deals...

That is it in a nutshell - D2 (drafting and developing). Bingo! The International part also needs improvement. With said I too feel there is more overall depth and several players may be able to take a big step forward this summer. They also have 3 of the top 46 picks I believe. Should be an interesting period - one would think 🤔 ⚾ 🌤️

That is true, such things do happen for half a season (ala Orange Crush aka CShelton and many more). I do think they thought about it and felt it was worth the gamble to let RGrossman try to figure it out and 'maybe' increase his trade value. A.J. likes Robbie as well. I also think Thompson probably had a 'opt out' as Edman85 here mentioned. With said Thompson is a decent all around athlete (hence some CF last year on a very good team). He has power. However, he has not quite put it together consistently in the big leagues but has shown periodic flashes and hence not just a 'one time wonder' fallen out of the Majors (like so many others). This suggests to some people that he does have some ability to adjust. The Dodgers have liked him for awhile and saw something again last year and they re-acquired him (a good move for the WS contending team) AND they brought him back for '23 at 1.4M (I know, nothing for L.A.). All in all it would seem he has been a decent platoon player and the LAD have liked him so that says something.

All IMHO, 1) I do think Chris I. will make resources available when the time comes for player additions 'after' the team and organization is looked at and evaluated under the new leadership. I say that because as we remember after the second half of 2021 most all were on board with the direction of the team. Then things happened as an unusual amount of injuries took place and some players under performed. With said the Tigers did get: ERod, Javy, Chafin, Meadows, etc. To me that was a sure fire sign that Chris I. would do so if he (and the GM, Mgr, etc.) felt things were going in the right direction. FWIW, I feel they did potentially reach out to several FAs this off season (WContreras, WMyers, JSegura,... ) but the prices were much higher than anticipated (esp early on) and Detroit is not exactly a FA hitters destination at this time (ex the park and state of the team). Also, I do not believe SHarris would have come aboard if he felt this was the case in terms of extreme budget restraints (after a year or so of course). That kind of news, promising one thing and delivering another, would no doubt travel fast among the industry heads and that would make it very difficult to hire anyone worth their salt in the future. 2) For the roster, I feel A.J. had as much say on who to look at and potentially acquire as AA did (ex adding AMeadows at the end of the spring of '22). However, when it came time to select whom is to be on the roster itself during the season (proven vets excluded) then I feel that was more AA call. As mentioned here earlier, TThompson and KCarpenter may have been proof of that it would seem. Nobody is totally faultless and no one is to take all the blame in either case really. That is why sweeping changes were made throughout the organization. 3) To this end/now, I feel the club is heading in the right direction under SHarris and his new regime. It will take some time - but as I have said before things can change very fast. Just look at last years professional prognosis for both Detroit and Cleveland - a year ago at this time! Drafting and developing is the utmost importance here. You are talking about elite talents here on the field. Yes, we say so and so cannot do x, or so and so has to go. Yet, the bottom line is to get to this level, you have to be 'elite'. Remember we all knew the kid who was a can't miss in HS or college. We have to remember very few even make it to the show let alone succeed. So much of this is mental and the ability to adjust. Hopefully, we are identifying those who can 'recognize' this aspect in our player development additions and have proceeded accordingly. Controlling the strike zone makes a lot of sense, esp for offensive players (not for every player but by far for most). Again, for this long time fan, I feel we are on the right track. Some luck needs to take place as well. AA may have been a bit overly optimistic about some players in the org. for quite awhile. I cannot tell you how many times I remember him saying 'so and so can run like a deer or so & so has light tower power' - yet, he did ID some ex maybe the likes of ABaddoo (if he moves forward). With said I feel SHarris (and the new staff members, along with some returning ex RGarko) may be much more in tune to the identifying/developing talent process moving forward. Yes, we do not want to hear patience again and again - but maybe there is more hope this time. Go Tigs 🙂

Seems like an 'ok' move. Was thinking more like ERios as he has some upside (power upside) and is more a 3B/1B. Hernandez should not take too many ABs from younger players. We have to remember just because there are younger players around does not mean they should be getting 'all' the ABs. Heck, WCastro, VReyes, DHill, DCameron, CStewart, MGerber, etc., etc. were the younger players we were worrying about getting ABs 3-4 yrs ago, lol. Who knows one of them may still become a solid MLB - which Hernandez has been up until last season. The other thing is there are sooo many injuries this day and age. If we were to lose a vet or two (all clubs do) someone has to fill in for some of it. If CKieth, WPerez, RKriedler, etc. show they can play between MiLB & MLB time - they will get their chances I/we have to believe.

Was thinking similar. Yet, as KL2 just mentioned: I think TNevin warrants a good look, if they had not traded for him I would be even more for this exploration/idea. There is also the thought that they still 'might' be looking at ERios or even an invite for 'Moose' (both LHB & 3B/1B, Rios obvious more upside as younger). Yet here, IF the case, the player would have to chose to come to Detroit as well. One good thing about MAndujar is that although not a real strong defender, he can ad some diversity 3B/1B/LF (albeit similar to Nevin). He is still young enough (28 this yr?) and hit well at AAA as recent as last season. I believe he is at apx 1.53mil for the upcoming season IF they were to 'claim/trade' for him.

Good to know. Yet, every team should always be working on improving to some extent, even the little things in any organization, aka never content IF opportunity arises and sometimes that must be created as well.

Indeed ! - 😉 🛸

BTW, is there a link to the Tiger Talk WXYT/The Ticket/97.1 shows? I know they did one last night (01/09/23, PCaputo & DD) but I missed it... Thanks

Mystery Solved ! (Not!!) 🤣 However, I do wish WCastro (and all of the boys) well !

I posted this also at that time last year. I think sometimes too many people get caught up (including management personnel) in age and to not waste ABs on anyone over 29-30. Clearly he would of been an upgrade over some players that we did play in the OF - and were not part of the future. Hey, he is a RH hitting OF lol. Who knows what Trayce will do this year. He was pretty good everywhere last year and is a serviceable player - and the LAD thought/think quite a bit of him. I will put it in the file cabinet under 'Histories Mysteries'. 🤨 🌌 🛸

I do like the deal - but more importantly I hope we can help any combo of these younger player acquisitions take their careers forward - development is key they have some ability and are not total free swingers per say like many younger players have been around here recently. I agree either BAnderson or ERios still could help (IMHO, we need someone to bat 4 or 5 still). For LHRP, SHarris mentioned it might be someone more on a minor league deal - so maybe DNorris and/or ZBritton? Chaffin would be nice but... I would not think he has too much restriction to get/keep the payroll close to last year. It seems it is hovering in that area?