Tenacious D

Will be pissed if we waste another Skubal start with anemic offense in a hitters park against a marginal pitcher. And on a Monday!

Agree circumstances will factor in, but hard to see them not being a contender and likelihood of resigning Torres seems very remote. Even if they do give him the QO and he accepts, no one is blocking him at SS.

Closer to home, HS draftee Riley Greene had 792 AB’s at age 21, prior to getting called up. We can produce plenty of examples for both ends of this debate, but we should all agree that there is no set number of AB’s required for every prospect.

I think the difference is that you’re normalizing McGonigle. He’s literally a generational hitting talent, with a higher BB% than his K rate and developing power. That rarely happens. He’s also ascended to #2 overall top prospect status in a few significant national prospect rankings (Aaron Judge was #53 at his apex on BA’s list). Of course he could still ultimately disappoint, but to suggest that he needs 1,500 AB’s in the minors to be successful in MLB is discounting his talent, relative to others. I don’t want to see him rushed and I trust the org won’t let this happen, but I doubt he’ll be held to some arbitrary standards. I think we see him by next year’s All Star break, if not sooner.

Your original comment was tied to your personal observation seeing him for 3 games. What did you see in that sample to give you pause?

We have a new SS in Toledo

Raining hard in Birmingham right now. You should see my driveway

Mize didnt have one yesterday.

I’m betting on Vegas

Not sure what you saw, but I think he’ll be up next year. Maybe not out of spring training, but at some point. And would not be surprised to see both Max and McGonigle get a long term deal.

I don’t think his age is much of an issue here. This is first time in AAA, so it’s not like he’s mastered it over a few seasons. Plus, COVID slowed down development for for his class. The bigger question mark is small sample size, but at least he’s giving the Tigers something to think about regarding the 40-man this offseason (assuming he would need to be protected). Could turn into a Dane Myers with the right org.

Trei Cruz is raking this season. Might have figured something out.

I think Carpenter might have more trade appeal than we’re giving him credit for. Cost-controlled power bats are valuable. If you could flip in a package for a nice pitcher, we could find his replacement via free agency or promotion (convert one of our glut of middle infielders). Might only be for a season until Max Clark is ready in ‘27

He came across as an empty suit with an announcer voice.

Wonder what Kerry Carpenter could command?

The only scenario for a Skubal trade is if they can’t work out an extension before next season’s trade deadline and the Tigers are out of contention. 2026 is the year that I think the Tigers push their chips in, either through trade or free agency to go for it. Skubal, Mize and Flaherty can all walk after that season, leaving Jobe and Olsen (two question marks) along with Melton. There are no other pitchers coming fast with a pedigree close to theirs. I would not be surprised to see them pursue another top SP this off-season. Cobb, Paddock, Morton and Maeda all come off the payroll this offseason. Mackenzie Gore, if made available, would be attractive.

Let’s get it back to north of 13 games.

I realize this probably shouldn’t matter, but I haven’t thought the same about Dan after his rant against a caller on a podcast who suggested the Tigers could consider Trevor Bauer via free agency. His rant was irrational, and as it turns out, erroneous. I’m no Bauer apologist, but he became unhinged. Came across a bit sanctimonious to me.

No triples? Meh

Agree. They aren’t going to cut bait after one season setback. If they did, Tork would now be a Rockie.

Great—now I have to break out a dictionary. Your posts are becoming increasingly difficult for me. I yearn for the simplicity of your 6 runs requests.

Too much math 🧮

I’d be a bit bummed if McKinstry is counted on as a starter next year.

My mental health needed this sweep.

Agree with this approach. No reason to commit beyond one more season. Since it was made clear he was coming for one season to establish himself, I wonder if there was a gentleman’s agreement that the Tigers would not put a QO on him?