CMU97

Keith Law likes the trade...for the Tigers

https://theathletic-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/theathletic.com/4067235/2023/01/07/law-tigers-trade-gregory-soto-phillies/?amp=1&amp_gsa=1&amp_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQIKAGwASCAAgM%3D#amp_tf=From %1%24s&aoh=16731401858098&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F4067235%2F2023%2F01%2F07%2Flaw-tigers-trade-gregory-soto-phillies%2F

29 minutes ago, mtutiger said:

Bobby Higginson?

He does. If I remember correctly,  it was with a stripper who sued him for oodles of money for child support. I do remember it being a big story back in the day.

10 hours ago, Tenacious D said:

James McCann to the Orioles for PTBNL

The Mets are paying most of his remaining $24 MILLION salary, so the O's will have 2 years of McCann for $5 million. If he remembers how to hit again ( big if) it won't be a bad deal.

A new SI article telling us everything we already knew...

https://www-si-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.si.com/mlb/astros/.amp/news/looking-back-houston-astros-trade-justin-verlander-detroit-tigers?amp_gsa=1&amp_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQIKAGwASCAAgM%3D#amp_tf=From %1%24s&aoh=16711276384964&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fmlb%2Fastros%2Fnews%2Flooking-back-houston-astros-trade-justin-verlander-detroit-tigers

5 hours ago, chasfh said:

I was actually wondering just the other day who the most recent major leaguer is who was active-duty military. I have no idea, but I’m guessing it was a Vietnam vet, somebody like Garry Maddox. 

I don't know who the last is either, but I know Al Bumbry lost two years of minor league baseball after being drafted into the service. He had been drafted by the Orioles out of college, then the next year by Uncle Sam. He was one of the few to actually serve in Vietnam as well. He went back to the minors in 71 when he got out of the service and was AL rookie of the year in '73.

With both Morris and Tram on this year's  committee,  I'm sure Lou would have gotten in if he were on the ballot.  All the steroid guys got 25% or less of votes. Whitaker better be on the ballot next time it comes around.

11 minutes ago, Tenacious D said:

so much consternation around a .217 BA, .633 OPS hitter.  Where is the outrage over losing the Castro Bros?  Victor Reyes?

I'm sad to see Victor go,  because I liked him. But, he has proved who he is. A 4th outfielder who can play all three spots with ease and has a knack for getting the  big hit every now and  then. He also would have a good game and  then frustrate the  heck out of you with his bad approach in his next ten at bat's. I think he would be great playing 50 games a year with a couple hundred at bat's with the right team.

Same thing with Harlld, we know who he is. Good fit for someone, but not us.

I was surprised Willi was let go, but I don't think he will be hard to replace either.

With Candy signing so quickly, and who he signed with, tells me a lot about what he was thinking.

If he really thought his market value was $7 million, he would have waited out the market longer. By signing a week after he hit the market, that tells me that he thought $5 million + was the most he was going to get, and he should take it.

He didn't take less money to go to a contender, we went to the worst team in baseball l ast year. 11 games worse than the Tigers, and I don't think anyone is saying Washington is going to contend this year. The Nationals for their part are hoping he can rebound and nab something nice at the trade deadline.

I'm sure Candy knows that is the Nationals  plan. And he is hoping to get enough playing time to show he still has it and someone else will want him. 

The Tigers are ahead of Washington as far as contending sooner, and have made massive changes this off season to head in the right direction.

All of this leads me to a couple of thoughts: 1) it was all about the money and when Detroit offered less, he just wasnt going to take it. 2) it wasn't about the best chance to win, it was all about getting out of Detroit.  I think Detroit did the right thing.

34 minutes ago, chasfh said:

 

I will be a little gobsmacked if Harold Castro and Kody Clemens have a role on this team next year. 

The way I see it, Harold, Willi and Kody are all vying for the same role as the super utility guy. Harold should be the first to go. Willi is more experience and polished, Kody is younger (but not much), cheaper, and has more power potential.  

I think they battle it out in the spring and if Kody can prove he can hit, he should have the inside track. Very big if there.

If you are going to release one of the two, I think Kody would have a better shot at making it through waivers and resigning.

1 minute ago, chasfh said:

That sucks hard.

I was just about to post this in the off season thread or one of the Whitaker threads. I just do not understand this At all. 

Mattingly and Murphy are back on the ballot, and they received LESS votes than Whitaker last time. I am pissed off.

30 minutes ago, Shinzaki said:

Play 10 years and you reach the pension max of 90k per year which you can draw on when you're 62.  Assuming you pile social security on on top of that, you could live a decent life w/o any savings or investments from our MLB earnings

The max pension draw after 10 years of service time is currently  $220,000 er year. BUT, just 6% of players ever make it to 10 years service time. 

After 43 days service time, you qualify for the lowest  partial pension, which currently  is $9,000 at age 62. 

After 1 day of service time, you qualify for lifetime medical benefits.

That was beyond horrible.

Can we release Soto right now? Before the end of this inning?

8 hours ago, chasfh said:

You’re right, I missed one. D’Oh.

 

Pujols started in 2001 when Harold Baines was in the game

Baines started in 1980 when Willie McCovey was still in the game.

And so on … 

If you wanted to do it with Miguel  Cabrera, he debuted in 2003 when Jesse orosco was still playing...

Who will start a 20+ year career  next year?

8 minutes ago, Edman85 said:

That's not the same guy.

Of course not. I was trying to be funny how he might help our pitching staff. Oh well.

But how is his slider?

I thought I remembered this name. I had to look it up, but I would have met him when he was in the SALLY league with the Blue Claws. Somewhere I  have his autograph. 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=harris003sco

I have been admiring the Giants from afar the past two seasons. Even though they've taken a step back this year, their future is  bright. 

I hope this means we will see about 14 coaches on the roster next year. I'm paraphrasing Gabe Kapler, but he said we want coaches who make our players better. And if you can do that, great!" And you can't argue with their success.   

This has potential to be better than hiring DD.

27 minutes ago, Biff Mayhem said:

Here's some OF arm porn:

 

 

Thank you for posting, good stuff!

Parker was one of the best arms for a long time, and one of the best in baseball, period. 

Another great arm, for a much shorter time, was Glenn Wilson. Could not run him at all. And if you were slow and hit a single to right, you better be on your horse out of the gate or he would throw you out at first.

But the  best throw I have ever seen was  Bo Jackson throwing out Harold Reynolds at home. Reynolds was  one of the faster guys in the game at the  time  too.

7 minutes ago, kdog said:

I think the Tigers paid down most of Grossman's salary to get that prospect.

I would bet they paid all of except the pro-rated minimum for the rest of the year. 

That picture  from the press box got me looking at others from Tiger Stadium. I do miss it. Seemed like you were right on top of everything. 

For those watching the game. Should Harold have held on that ball, or was it too difficult?

1 minute ago, Crazy Cat Gentleman said:

Skubal has doubled his pitch count this inning.

Thank you, Harold.

Good seats, Nice area.

It is nice to have a hot bat in the lineup. Maybe  Candy can be the spark.