SoCalTiger

I have one nagging thought and that is why didn't Skubal pitch the seventh inning ? He was throwing 101 so how could he have been "gassed " . Did he not want to pitch the 7th ? Did he try to go back out ? Did Hinch take him out to "protect' him ? Is Skubal only worth 6 innings even in an elimination game ? Did he place Free Agency above the team ? I do not know the answer to any of these questions but it makes me wonder about his real value if your paying him for the post season and we have been eliminated two years running with him on the mound in elimination games and his pitch count is pre determined.

Thanks so much for the list. I think Liranzo is a must add and Vierling a lock. I wouldn't protect anyone on the Bubble including Jones because Vierling replaces him. Does it say something about the real strength of our team in that we only have 22 "locks" or is that about average for playoff contenders? Seems low to me especially when some are so-so like Sweeney, Malloy, Jung, Gibson-Long in waiting for results and Hurter. Some fragile-injury prone and others short term control. Not too many solid stars if evaluating objectively and not as fan. Less than 10 or so. Maybe 6 proven stars ? Skubal ,Greene, Tork, Dingler (our best non pitcher IMO), Carpenter and Vest. Melton very promising. Do you think Harris evaluates the team on this manner ? His comments about players coming up and improving the hitting approach indicates this to me. And if Harris believes both to be true doesn't it lead to a Skubal trade ?

The one advantage Detroit has right now over the field is the ability to pay Skubull ( I hope I spelled that right 🙃 ) a large contract in 2026. I assume Boras and Skubal want to "set the market" which right now I believe is Yamamoto $325 million 12 year deal starting with his age 27 season which is big difference than starting at 31 for Tarik in 2027 BUT we could start it at 30 so perhaps offer 10 years $400 million with $100 million ( or what the amount should be) deferred so the Value is more than $325 AND he can say 400 out loud. That would be real hard to pass on for a once TJ recovering starter even with two consecutive Cy Youngs. It might be fiscal malpractice but with so many young stars we can handle 35 million per year (actual cost) and Skubul can set the market while remaining in Detroit. If he walks from that then well open the bidding with no regret.

If Harris does not believe in windows you have to trade Skubul if you get an excellent return and the players are near major league ready. That's why I like Painter-Miller and Johan Duran. We get a closer and potentially a shortstop and pitcher for multiple years. Then use Skubul $$ to plug multiple holes .

Just my initial thoughts for 2026 without much research or thinking I come to the following : 1. Trade Skubul. We won't sign him, we have fallen short twice with him at his best and starting pitching is fragile. Best option is the Phillies- the owner is motivated and DD will deal - I offer them Skubull- Jaden Hamm- Jake Rogers and Jace Jung for Andrew Painter- Eden Miller - Johan Duarn and Nick Costellanos ( a salary dump for DD to help sign Schwarber back). I would be willing to exchange Max Anderson for Jace Jung if required. I'm adding good minor league talent to help offset the Phillies loss of two top 100 prospects. But they have the same core for three yers now and will want one more push which Skubs provides. 2. Sign Bregman. Third base needs to be fixed and with Skubs gone we can overpay. 3. Offer Gleyber Torres the one year qualifying offer. Try to keep him for one more year if possible. 4. Keep Mize and take the 4 million option on Urquidy for depth. 5. Sign or trade for Zac Gallen or similar level solid # 3 starter for 3 to 4 years around 15-17 per year 6. Sign or trade for a solid lefty for the bullpen. Keep Finigan to pair with Vest and Duran at the end. 7. move on from mediocre- Jung-Ibanez - JHM- Sweeny -etc

We're gonna BERT them all next year.

shoot...

playing with fire now

yikes...

why take Jack out ?

2-3-4 zero for 18 might do it ?

Last plane for Toronto leaving soon let's finish this

Pinch hit Gibson Hinch

Out !!

so nerve racking

yes

Here we go...right now boys...damn the torpedos..

Holy Toledo !!!

wow..

Riley please

Just bloody score !!!!!!!

Wow not The Philly pitcher !!!!

Looking forward to renewing the rivalry with our true Rival the Blue Jays. The ship has sailed on the Mariners......

After we Win the World Series we will want everyone back.

They Did !😀