Nate7474

I haven’t had any problems with the trades that Harris has made in either direction so far. People could say he hasn’t been aggressive enough to acquire offensive talent like during last season but frankly there wasn’t anyone traded that I would have wanted and I wouldn’t have given up any of our top prospects either. He had a pitcher say ok to a trade and then end up using his no trade clause so that hurt and probably could have handled that better in his first year on the job but frankly we just don’t have a good idea of his ability in trades yet. His system evaluates draft prospects well so you would assume that would translate over to evaluating minor leaguers. The only grip that I have with Harris is I have been underwhelmed by his Free Agency pick ups and felt the money could have been better spent on more proven talent. Other than that he has laid out his vision and I have seen him trying to execute on specifically that. He is open with the fans and media on his expectations and assessments for the most part. I agree with others who say how he handles this deadline will ultimately determine if he is successful long term here. I actually think the bigger gamble is holding steady or half measure buy and sell. The safest route for his job imo would be to sell as many expiring contracts as possible as that means he has the ownerships support for a couple more years yet.

I have watched this whole series and a few other cubs games this season and my assessment still stands that I like how their lineup approaches hitting. That approach plays well in the playoffs when you can wear down a pitching staff.

The cubs have a good lineup at making pitchers work. Kind of what I think Harris would like the Tigers to be. It’s impressive.

Didn’t we do this Valdez once last year when he was in Houston?

Let him eat this. Don’t bail him out by taking him out of the game.

I think most of the questions were around his arm not really his glove or reaction time. I do think he’s limited at SS and even at third as the arm is stretched a little bit although good enough and should be for awhile for a few seasons with how young he is. Where he is making up for it is he does a good job of getting into throwing position quickly and seems to make good decisions when attacking the ball defensively. Also I have been pleasantly surprised by the accuracy of his throws. I still say he should be at 2nd for the long term but with our current organizational makeup of players he will probably be split between 3rd and SS for the foreseeable future.

Good for him, I hope he has success. Still don’t want him on this team.

I don’t think he makes it there before the runner. They were about the same distance from the bag when he lands and he was starting on his back foot. He made the right play by taking the highest percentage out. Tork to my eyes anyway is elite when it comes to scooping the ball. Probably the only elite thing he does that keeps us from moving on.

Does he not? Who’s is the backup catcher next year?

What is the date that you think the Tigers need to decide to be in or out on this season? I personally think they need to make that decision by July 27th which gives them a week to set up deals which means roughly 10 games prior to that date. What is the record we need to see in the next 10 games to hold pat/be buyers and sellers to maintain payroll due to competitive balance tax? For me I think they need to go at least 7-3 to even think about adding and anything less than 5-5 should be trying to unload expiring contracts. In between those 2 I am probably still shopping Skubal and maybe Torres but holding onto the other assets and still try and win.

I don't know about that in this age of baseball where starts only go 6 innings. Skubal averages roughly 6 innings in every start and he pitches roughly 31 games in a regular season. In 162 game season so 1458 innings and hes going to pitch around 190 innings in a healthy year so hes a part of roughly 13% of season. I think if you are able to get 1 top 100 prospect and 2 other high minors prospects who are basically ready you might be able to make up that 13%. Now the pain will be in the playoffs as he is going to give you better chance then almost any starter for at least 2 games in every series. I would trade him this deadline no matter what we look like as a team if you like the return and don't plan on signing him. I also would not be interested in the Tigers resigning him if its more then 40 million or more then 5 years.

What are the draft consequences for being over the tax? When do they kick in?

Derek Hill is killing them this series.

I don’t think that is a fair take. He’s only been here for 3 offseasons/drafts and is already getting dividends from picks his system made. If you go back and look at the farm system he inherited at the start of 2023 it was pretty rough. Sure pitching depth and outfield depth need help but I would argue that these are easier to find plug and play players compared to the infield.

That's what I was thinking as well and frankly with him starting in A ball and struggling early getting experience at AA would be a great result for this season.

Think he moves up to AA this season?

Riskiest profile in the draft in my opinion so it would never be the profile I would take. Not saying that teams agree with me or even should as it’s just my thoughts on it.

I personally have no interest in taking a pitcher in the first round specifically out of high school. If I had to guess they will stick with their current 1st round profile. Looking at guys like Condon, Prosek and Thome.

I’m unsure how this works entirely so I thought I’d ask does trading for our new best friend Cash considerations help at all in this area?

Absolutely and the whole reason why this time I’m with the owners on some sort of cap system. Big markets just have so much of an advantage if they are willing to spend. In my opinion looking at this season I can’t say that illicit is being cheap. Also if I’m Harris I can’t have to many players that are on long contracts taking up 1/5th of what I think my owner will give me.

The thing is that it is our money eventually, you think the owners are going to eat the cost? The the problem with these labor dispute is eventually the ones who pay are the fans and the product put in front of us.

I don’t think we are arguing that Keith is great or even good, atleast I am not. My argument is our righty options are 2 of the worst 5 hitters in baseball. Find a better platoon and I won’t complain. Don’t have one? then play the player that you are paying to be here for awhile and see if he can improve.

Sure that could happen. I’m not asking for Hinch to start Keith or Carp against lefties. Just not pull them in the middle innings for players who are statistically speaking 2 of the worst players in baseball so far. Maybe those players need to prove they can hit lefties this year before getting the pinch hit opportunities. It’s not working this season so Hinch should adapt and try something different is all I’m asking.

If AI is to be believed when Keith is pinch hit for Tigers hitters are 1-15 this year. If the results were there like last year we wouldn’t be having this conversation.

True, however he’s getting very little at bats this year or last to improve on. His rookie year he hit .305 and a .362obp in 88 at bats against lefties.