Tenacious D

kind of meaningless at this point, but ESPN has the Tigers at #16 in their 2022 preseason power rankings. They are ahead of every other team in the division, with the exception of the White Sox (#2). At best, we're going to be playing for a Wild Card the next couple of seasons, but I don't think the White Sox will have as long of a window as we do. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/32515195/way-too-early-2022-mlb-power-rankings

Bullpen, aka, the place for guys who aren’t good enough to be starters.

It’s actually Arm Barn now. I’ve asked the admin here to make bullpen a banned word, like f*** and sh**. And I think the labor unrest is going to push the activity to much later, unfortunately.

Correa likely will get a minimum of 8 years, with an opt-out after 2 or 3 seasons. I predict his annual salary will be at least $30M/yr.

From MLB Trade Rumors regarding surrendering picks for free agent signings:

heck, I'd be OK with losing our 1st pick for him--would be very hard pressed to find a similar talent.

I'll be making my fondue again. Was a hit last year.

so, no baseball in December?!?! that sucks

Has Dave Roberts been fired yet?

Great, thanks. But what about the meaning of life?

Would we surrender if we signed Correa or anyone else with a QO?

Wasn't Coke available, too?

They have a good talent foundation that might elevate them from a perennial wild card, regardless. I don't think they'll necessarily be cheap, if the opportunity arises. We'll learn this very quickly this offseason, though, with the abundance of very good SP and SS available in free agency.

What happened to Motown Sports? Is this temporary, or our new home? Lastly, what is the meaning of life?

If they thought Dingler was an option, they probably would sent him to the AZ Fall League. Based on his struggles in Erie, I’d be surprised if he gets a MLB at-bat next season.

Roberts has mismanaged his pitching staff throughout the playoffs. If the Dodgers win the WS, it will be in spite of him.

Time to bring back shorts.

agree with the sentiment that we will be going aggressively after SS and C. If we flail on signing Correa/Seager/Story/Semien, I could see us looking at Andrelton Simmons. I think defense will be the priority if we can't get a big bat there. Not a lot of realistic or good options in free agency for a C--might have to be a trade. I'd probably target Yan Gomes in free agency on a 1-2 year deal (OK to go two years--can always trade from depth, if necessary). Ironically, Alex Avila would have been a perfect fit on this team, if he had decided to play one more season. We don't need to acquire an OF--very comfortable next season with Grossman in one of the corner positions. I'm assuming Greene will get the other at some point. I like the combination of candidates we have in Baddoo, Hill and Cameron for the third spot (with Reyes at Toledo). If we are contending at the trade deadline, and none of the young guys are panning out, then we can look to make a deadline deal to round out the OF. Lots of good starting pitchers available in free agency--I'd target a very good one, and try and sign a Peralta-type for the 2nd spot. I'm assuming that Mize, Skubal, Manning all have spots, and Tyler Alexander is a candidate depending on who we can acquire. Fulmer maybe, too. I'd like to keep him in the pen, but he is a rotation option again. Wentz will be in the mix, but he'll need to go to Toledo and prove him. Probably not someone you count on at this point, but provides depth if any injuries. I also think we'll sign Boyd to a surgery-friendly deal, and he might be available at some point in the 2nd half. On the subject of Justin Verlander--my heart says sign him, and my head does, too, if there is no qualifying offer attached to him. If the Astros do that, I'd punt--bring him back in 2023 or 2024, when he's less risky and more attainable. I have very low expectations for him at this point, but would like to see him have a role on the 26-man roster in the next couple of years. My ideal offseason: SS: 1) Correa 2) Semien (cause he'll be cheaper) 3) Story. Love Seager, but doubt he stays at SS after a few more seasons. C : Yan Gomes (good WAR, more attainable). Really don't have any good trade targets here, but hope we emphasize defense after seeing Ramos earlier this season). SP: 1) Marcus Stroman, 2) Robbie Ray, 3) Alex Cobb

Tork is hitting .500 early in the Fall League. very nice For comps, I see his floor as Paul Konerko, which would still be very nice--he had a very underappreciated career.

I hate that I have to root for the Astros. #WhiteSux As early as it is into the White Sox run, the door could close much sooner. Trading Madrigal away (top 5 overall pick) might have been the right move for this season, but hurts if they don't advance beyond the first round. They didn't need Kimbrel to get this far. They still have Jiminez, Moncada, Roberts and Vaughn, but Abreu is getting older and I doubt they will be able to afford to keep Anderson. The core guys, along with their starting pitchers, are a few years away from being eligible for free agency--they really have a 2, maybe 3 year window. The Tigers are in a much better place from a team control perspective, and should be very competitive with the Sux by 2023, with some key moves and continuing player development. Or, I'm just a homer.

Did we get burned on Fulmer? I’m glad he’s still on the team and suspect he might be a rotation option next season.

however, you surrender a pick to sign him. (might be a first round, but not sure). If I'm going to give up a pick, I'd rather it be for someone who will be a long-term cornerstone, i.e., Correa. To me, he's the only one that I would give a Lindor-like contract to. All of the other guys are a bit flawed--Seager (questions around how long he can stay at SS, surrendered draft pick), Baez (K's way too much), Story (splits aren't great outside of Coors to warrant a big contract, surrendered draft pick) and Semien (surrendered draft pick, getting a bit old to make a big commitment, questions around how long he can stay at SS). Correa or bust. or said another way, Correa or Kreidler.

2022 (end of season roster): C: Haase/Rogers (should be back from TJ by next September) 1B: Torkelson 2B: Schoop 3B: Candelario SS: Free Agent LF: Riley Greene CF: Hill/Baddoo RF: Grossman Considerations for bench (Haase/Rogers, Paredes, Clemens, Short, Kreidler, Cameron, Reyes) Rotation: Mize, Skubal, Manning, Fulmer, Free Agent, Free Agent, Wentz Bullpen: Soto, Cisnero, Lange, Alexander, Funkhouser, Free Agent, Free Agent, Faedo