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Curious…. Why do you believe it would be easier flip Cobb before Verlander as they have would have been like contracts?

No doubt.

This is truly scary… but not surprising. From todays WSJ: Nearly Half of Adults Worldwide Hold Antisemitic Views, Survey Finds Antisemitism has surged, especially among the young, as the Holocaust fades from collective memory Jan. 14, 2025 at 6:00 am ET ‘Never Again’ is a phrase used in reference to the Holocaust and other instances of persecution of Jews. Around half of adults across the world hold antisemitic beliefs and deny the historic facts of the Holocaust, according to the latest edition of the largest global study of anti-Jewish attitudes by the Anti-Defamation League, a New York-based advocacy group. The study surveyed more than 58,000 adults from 103 countries and territories representing 94% of the world’s adult population, and found that 46% of them—or around 2.2 billion people—display antisemitic attitudes. A fifth of the respondents haven’t heard of the Holocaust, during which six million Jews were killed, while 21% believe it has either been exaggerated by historians or it never happened.

I don’t know what you’ve read over the years regarding JV’s character, but I do know two HOF managers would vouch for his character all day long, Jim Leyland and Dusty Baker. Truth is, the Tigers just weren’t interested. So be it. I think this was a mistake but obviously I’m in the minority here. For me, it’s not all about nostalgia. It’s about getting a guy with tremendous upside (he’s healthy as per the Giants physical results) and he wants to prove he’s still got it. I would bet $15 million on the guy. His work ethic is top shelf. It’s not about getting the band back together, so to speak. I think Verlander in the rotation would be a plus for the Tigers. As far as the “carefully-constructed young clubhouse” is concerned, I couldn’t help but envision a sign above the clubhouse door reading, “SAFE SPACE” 😉

For those that are few and far between that might be interested in hearing Verlander’s take on the signing, start at the 1:30 mark above. I’m impressed with how candid he is about where he is in his career and how he sees his current situation. He addresses several of concerns that have been raised on this board about him.

Newest Tiger Territory. Recorded yesterday.

When your team has only won four World Series over 120 years you have to hang on to the memories that are there.

My son and his family lived in the Bay Area several years pre-Covid and enjoyed it. He and his family fell in love with the A’s. Green & Gold apparel everywhere. Going forward he decided to go full time with the Giants at the end of last year with the departure and destruction of the A’s. He is now stoked that Verlander will be wearing the Orange & Black this year. Our visits to the area were very enjoyable over the several years they were out there. We managed to see games at the Coliseum and Oracle on separate visits. His buddy sent him a clear vial of infield dirt from the final Oakland A’s home game this year as a Christmas gift. That’s what you call a true friend. They use to attend games together in Oakland frequently. But alas, his wife has decided to be a Dodgers fan and his oldest a Braves fan. The diaspora of MLB allegiances can be a difficult family chapter.

My wife decided that JV is probably a better fit in SF at this point, all things considered, so I’ll just have to live with it. fwiw, JV is three years older than Fetter.

I think that’s where the gray area is. I’d heard the same about JV regarding his starting day routine. I’ve heard that a lot of pitchers are the same way on a starting day. They just want to get in their zone and be left alone.

Appreciate your response. As such, I listened to the podcast you cited. I get his drift but don’t see it as any reason whatsoever to view Verlander for anything other than he is, a HOF pitcher. I know Harris is all about clubhouse culture but can’t imagine Verlander ever being anything but about winning. Verlander is from a different time in baseball and Harris may have concerns about his views running counter to what the guys are being fed every day now. Who knows? I do know that it would have been really sweet if JV could have finished his career in Detroit. The fan base would have loved it. Since being traded he’s always been very positive in his comments toward Detroit and their fans. I don’t know that he’ll pitch beyond this year. That he likely would have signed with Detroit for the same money and in all likelihood, never was offered, sucks.

I’m trying to get over the fact that Cobb and Verlander both signed one year-$15 million deals…and Verlander’s deal isn’t with the Detroit Tigers and Cobb’s is. As a long time Tigers fan, that sucks!

💯 I’d be very happy if Bregman never played for Detroit. At the same time, $30 million on two reclamation projects isn’t what I had in mind when the FO was discussing making the team better. I’d hope we’ll have more to show for this offseason than what we have to date.

I have been wondering for a bit now if Harris is quietly having conversations with the Boras/Bregman camp in search of a more amicable deal. Last year Boras had to give some with several of his clients when the market turned quiet after the new year. (Chapman/Montgomery/Snell) This theory of mine is about a week old but it’s starting to grow on me. I can’t imagine that he’d consider this team to be much improved at all, as is, from last year’s team. The other option is a formidable trade with another team. That was my initial expectation early on but I’m not as sure of that now based on Harris’ record as a POBO/ GM.

After nearly 30 years after its publication date, I finally read the book, The Millionaire Next Door. Out of curiosity I asked for it as a gift suggestion and received it Christmas. I’d guess I’m probably the last one here to read it. Enjoyed the book. Obviously some things have changed since its publication but an awful lot of things have remained the same. Over the years this has been one of the most financial related books mentioned through all my related readings.

Years ago Money Magazine ran a piece on Ramsey titled (I’m going on memory here 🤔)… ‘Save like Dave Ramsey but Don’t invest like Dave Ramsey.’ Good piece. As pointed out here already, his advice for beginners is solid. If someone has accumulated a good amount of money to invest, maybe look for advice other than Ramsey’s. Money Magazine was critical of Ramsey for recommending shops like Edward Jones. MM pointed out that EJ is more or less a store front for funds that include loads as a part of their fees. I know at the time of the article this was true. I’ll still listen to Ramsey sometimes if I pick him up on radio with a drive ahead of me. Entertaining.

10 year treasury chasing 4.8 on very strong jobs report.

That’s what the Dodgers accountants are banking on anyway…

BlackRock BLK is pulling out of a United Nations-sponsored climate initiative, a remarkable U-turn for a company that was once a poster child of the environmental, social and governance investing movement. The world’s largest asset manager told clients in a letter Thursday that it has formally withdrawn from the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative, an international group of asset managers committed to supporting the goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. WSJ Nice

Verlander to Giants for a one year deal at $15 million.

Realistically, I don’t think the Tigers were interested in Verlander. The Giants got a one year deal which is exactly what you would want with Verlander at this point.

Good for the Giants. Wish him the very best.

Signing Matt Boyd would bring us full circle.

Agree. I believe it was Harris who signed Cobb to a contract in San Francisco in 2022. Cobb has been injury prone for the last three years.

So the Blue Jays have reportedly made an offer to Santander. If he accepts, I would think the talking heads would immediately conclude that Bregman is Motor City bound.