Tenacious D

Agree—any other explanation that this was all part of a plan to make a playoff run is spin or revisionism. It’s ironic that we played poorly in ‘24 until post trade deadline and made it to the ALDS via an improbable playoff run. The complete opposite happened in ‘25, yet still yielded the same outcome.

This. Everyone thought we were bailing on the season. A.J. Hinch, Parker Meadows and our bullpen had other ideas

I’m in the suddenly shrinking pro-Harris camp, but anything short of a ALCS advance is on him. He inherited a manager and many players who played significant roles in our ALDS appearances—it’s now up to him to continue to develop and add to that team.

I like Harris and do think he’s got the team heading in the right direction, but can we all agree he woke up on third base and many thought he hit a triple? He basically surrendered at the trade deadline in ‘24, and Hinch guided them to the playoffs with Avila players. Again, repeat after me, Avila wasn’t that bad and Harris hasn’t been that good. Still optimistic about him, though, but he has to build a team that advances to the ALCS.

Bryce Rainer getting some love and potential consideration as the top prospect going into the 2027 season on the latest BA podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baseball-america/id201539011?i=1000743296162

Unless any of the following apply to each of you, you’re not really in any position to critique the guys height as a projectable limitation: -Professional scouting or analytics experience -Observed a minimum of 50 McGonigle plate appearances -Own and regularly play Strat-a-Matic -Currently live in your parents basement -Have recently enjoyed an extended stay at a Holiday Inn Express. McGonigle will rake—if he does it while playing SS, he will be a superstar.

If McGonigle demonstrates he can play SS to the team’s satisfaction in ST, he will make the team and be our starter. Look for the inevitable Trammell mentoring article from Cody and/or Evan. Javy will get plenty of time filling in at SS, 3B and CF. Bench would be Jake Rogers, Javy, Zack McKinstry, Wenceel Perez and Matt Vierling? Think Jahmai gets squeezed out.

He did hit at the end of ‘24 and was a catalyst in that lineup that surged to the playoffs. I’ll give him a mulligan for last season—missed ST and had a bizarre injury that disrupted his season. I feel much more bullish about a healthy Parker next season.

Losing out might not be the worst outcome. Too many injuries to overcome for the second consecutive season. Getting the better draft position and favorable schedule is probably best we can hope for. We’d be an early exit if we somehow snuck into the playoffs. Not hoping for them to lose, but won’t lament it either. We can’t count on Branch or Joseph ever coming back close to what they were (top 5 safeties). Concerned about LaPorta’s back and if he can get back to what he was. Decker and Glasgow both look like they might be done. Many holes to fill next year. Confidence in the front office, but won’t have the luxury of all the picks they had to work with before.

Hope a year post-surgery helps—was on a nice trajectory

Maybe whiny. Paul has one, but does it inconsistently. Castellani used to do LockedOn Tigers, prior to Scott Bentley. Quit when he got a job at Barstool, then got fired.

Hope not. Already have too many high K guys in the lineup.

Was surprised to come here and find out that this outcome was Dan Campbell’s fault.

Couple of up and coming GOATs at LCA tonight. Skoobs in town to sign a contract?

A bit surprised, but speaks volumes about what his trade value was (or wasn’t).

Still waiting for a few of you to start your own Tigers podcast. God knows you all have the face for it.

Cody is too negative for my liking. Agree on Chris Brown—much better away from Rogelio, though Evan is a bit of a stats-wielding tool. I’d pair Brown up with either Chris Castellani or Tony Paul and that would be my go-to Tigers podcast.

Reese Olson looks more like a ring bearer than a groom. Congrats, nonetheless.

Geez—really hope McGonigle doesn’t disappoint these guys. Can’t remember hearing anyone be that effusive about a prospect before, to the point that Kevin might want to consider getting a restraining order from them.

I’m not sure how much of an upgrade, if any, he is to Vierling.

Please stop. The Tigers made the playoffs because of both Avila and Harris. Can we move on?

Torres, Flaherty, Finnegan, Jensen and Anderson so far through mid-December. Two more months of offseason left. How we feeling so far?