Tenacious D

Fitting in already

Some Tigers love

A problem with the spring training sites/stadiums is seating capacity, as well as minor league schedules that have a team playing the same series Tues-Sunday, which provides very limited scheduling flexibility. MLB schedules are already fixed for ‘25—I suppose MLB could put the burden on the minor league affiliate to accommodate this. Or, use multiple locations—ie, Lakeland, Tampa and others in the vicinity to provide greater flexibility. not my problem, though.

There was a recent Baseball America podcast that discussed many potential scenarios, recognizing that none were very ideal. Ultimately, I think they have to figure out a local option—can you imagine this happening to the Tigers, and the solution was that they had to move out of state (or country) for a few seasons?

I do think there is significant risk. Agree that a shorter deal would be attractive—will be interesting to see what his market is. He showed some cracks in the playoffs.

Some love/optimism for the Tigers.

Who’d we get?

Using W-L as a barometer for a pitchers’s success basically discredits any future opinions.

Hypothetically, if the Tigers are willing to give Skubal a favorable offer, but he and Boras elect to wait until free agency, regardless of how rich the offer is, what would you do if you were Harris?

On brand for Arnold, even on special teams.

I didn’t propose that, but not a horrible idea. Big gamble that Montgomery can get back to the pitcher he was in previous seasons. However, I’d take that chance to unload Maeda. Regardless, I see this as a very minor transaction—basically a lottery ticket that you hope could pay off, but you don’t count on.

I suspect many were a result of our bullpen games. Not necessarily an indictment.

We won 86 games with about a dozen rookies on the roster.

Completely agree—to suggest that Jung or Dingler aren’t any good based on less than 100 AB’s in MLB is stoopid. They might not pan out, but we don’t know it yet. Bailing on Tork, or at least having a contingency at 1B, makes sense.

I really don’t know what shapes are when it comes to hitting a baseball (I just tried to barrel up a pitch I could hit and hoped for something good to happen). Max seems like he’s really embraced this. Unless he’s just trying to impress the brass. I like him—baseball needs young players like him who are engaging and accessible through social media to be successful to help reach a broader audience. https://x.com/maxxclarkk13/status/1852030160519696696?s=46

Time to start the offseason. Harris, you’re up

Now in to pitch

I think we have to ride the kids again to see what we have in a full season of Meadows, Jung, Sweeney, Dingler and Malloy. Can’t bury any of them—get them 400-500 AB’s. Could lead to an improved team, or some regression. Lots of variability. External reinforcements should be at 1B, maybe OF. Lots of kids coming fast. Not all will make it, but we have enough depth and options. Supplement the pitching staff. A #2 and a solid bullpen dude.