SoCalTiger

As for Skubal's arbitration hearing I think the Tigers will just focus on the percent increase they offered is historic and that the players making more than Skubal simply could not have made that much in arbitration. It might not be a winning strategy but could play to a non baseball expert panel and it won't insult Skubal.

Number 7 : Posted January 17 Here is how I would "fix" MLB and settle the upcoming labor negotiations : 1. Eliminate all deferrals . 2. We don't need a salary cap but we do need a Floor. This will spread the signing of free agents to ALL teams and not just five or six. There are only 30 teams and if you can't spend at the minimum sell and get out. This makes all teams better. 3. Have a "Cap Tax" that is 2 times the floor. Say the floor is 200 million then the "Cap Tax" starts at 400 million and is 100 % tax on the overage and the teams first round pick in the next seasons draft. The tax stays the same each year but more draft picks are lost for habitual abusers. 4. TV and radio revenue share. 40 % of every teams media revenue is put into a pot and distributed to all the teams. 5. No more draft gimmicks. Worst team drafts first etc. Given the "Floor" tanking is less likely. 6. Eliminate the international signing period and have a second Draft instead or roll both drafts into one. 7. Each year the Final four teams must offer a portion of the 40 man roster to the non playoff teams. This would be two rounds. The World champion can freeze 25 players, the runner up 30 players and the other two 35 players Each. It would be an exciting event at the conclusion of the year and help teams be competitive. 8. Arbitration is limited to years 4 and 5 and players are free agents after year five. No draft pick lost or gained. 9. Rosters expanded to 28 and pitchers to 15 to help wear and tear. We need out star hurlers on the filed and deeper bullpens help smartly managed teams. 11. Eliminate the runner on second ( larger rosters assist this) until the 13th inning. 10. Make the contract 10 years.

I agree with you. Let's hope he dominates the draft since he seems more comfortable there than in free agency and trading.

Or watch Jace Jung hit like Carl Yaztremski in college and "see" it won't work in the majors and therefore draft the shortstop Neto who was the very next pick by the Angels after Al took "Yaz". Or just take the shortstop over the second baseman.

Thanks for the detailed information. Skubal will surpass $50 million ..maybe yearly 😂

Where does the pick for losing Skubal slot in ?

I think you are correct the ship has sailed. Hope for a great year from Skubs and a lucky consolation pick/prize. If we have a fun summer then hey ..life is all about experience. I just DO NOT understand why you don't get another hitter if you are running it back with Tarik.

I think the comparable trade with DD would be Painter and Miller for Skubal and I would give that strong consideration.

Here is how I would "fix" MLB and settle the upcoming labor negotiations : 1. Eliminate all deferrals . 2. We don't need a salary cap but we do need a Floor. This will spread the signing of free agents to ALL teams and not just five or six. There are only 30 teams and if you can't spend at the minimum sell and get out. This makes all teams better. 3. Have a "Cap Tax" that is 2 times the floor. Say the floor is 200 million then the "Cap Tax" starts at 400 million and is 100 % tax on the overage and the teams first round pick in the next seasons draft. The tax stays the same each year but more draft picks are lost for habitual abusers. 4. TV and radio revenue share. 40 % of every teams media revenue is put into a pot and distributed to all the teams. 5. No more draft gimmicks. Worst team drafts first etc. Given the "Floor" tanking is less likely. 6. Eliminate the international signing period and have a second Draft instead or roll both drafts into one. 7. Each year the Final four teams must offer a portion of the 40 man roster to the non playoff teams. This would be two rounds. The World champion can freeze 25 players, the runner up 30 players and the other two 35 players Each. It would be an exciting event at the conclusion of the year and help teams be competitive. 8. Arbitration is limited to years 4 and 5 and players are free agents after year five. No draft pick lost or gained. 9. Rosters expanded to 28 and pitchers to 15 to help wear and tear. We need out star hurlers on the filed and deeper bullpens help smartly managed teams. 11. Eliminate the runner on second ( larger rosters assist this) until the 13th inning. 10. Make the contract 10 years.

And Bonuses.

"EX GM"

Ok I'll bite. My guess is your thinking trade Skubal to the Mets and we get Tong and another player goes to the Brewers who send us Peralta and we then sign Suarez ??

I think the Tigers “ mindset “ might possibly be wait until the new labor contract is set and/ or Baez is off the books before spending on a large free agent contract.

IIRC Bassitt is also quite good out of the bullpen. Harris is probably trying to get him for one year with an option as Bassitt looks for two years.

So JHM to the Rays for $$$. Why do I feel uncomfortable ? But I do wish him the best. seems like a real solid person.

The criticism of Harris 2025 trade deadline deals was that he did not trade any of his "non top five" prospects which I guess were Lee, Anderson, Jayden Hamm, Franyearber Montilla , Malloy, Jace Jung and Andrew Sears. But the question nobody asks , and I don't know, is how valuable were they to other teams ? Is it possible nobody wanted them in comparison to what other teams offered ? And how valuable are they today? Maybe Harris was handcuffed with requests for only his top five ?

Not keeping candy was the right choice then and the right choice now and if anybody has regrets, I think you can get them from Cincinnati for a Song.

All true. If you only build through the draft then you're a scouting/farm director and not a PBO. But I think he is a very good PBO and will do all in time and at the right value. If not then we get the pitch forks out 😀

This is very fair. He is rigid ( it has been reported as well )but has talked about taking risks beginning with his introductory press conference. So we wait and assume it will be calculated and beneficial.

I "think" that situation, last off seasons trade deadline results, and this off season so far are all related. Harris has a very clear process on "value' and does not deviate from it. He thought Erod would ok the LA deal and was willing to gamble (and lost) because other deals did not match his return. Last off season he wasn't trading our core prospects and after our top five the league did not value the rest as much as he did so no deals. As for Free agency I don't think he believes the prices are a good value. He has plan and a process and we have to allow him to play it out and hopefully "revise" it should that be prudent. I think he will. His press will be bad because he simply does not talk to them. Luck or not he has two consecutive playoff appearances and 2026 will be number three.

El Mago will play everywhere and could platoon with Meadows in center.

Thank you sir.

San Diego - March 26 2026 1. Torres 2B 2. McGonigle SS 3. Greene LF 4. Carpenter DH 5 Tork 1B 6. Keith 3B 7. Dingler C 8. Perez RF 9. Meadows CF Skubal P

Boras is working his PR game. Probably wants the Pistons to offer 350 so he can take it to Free agency as a starting bid. I don't trust him.

Yes I was surprised Elias made that trade after refusing to trade prospects when he had Burnes and the Orioles were having a hot season. Perhaps pressure from the new owner. Maybe Harris will also have a change of heart.