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Tork is going to begin his audition first game out of the box. I’d really like to see him have a really good spring for everyone’s sake. We got into the hotel here in Lakeland at 10 o’clock last night. Met a guy this morning in the breakfast area from Rochester, MI. Super nice guy. He’s come down every year for years. We talked Tiger baseball for 30 minutes. Half the enjoyment of these trips is meeting other baseball fans.

Let’s put it this way, lose this game and Skubal is gone at the trade deadline

Finally…

Yep, that Alex. Thank you.

Nashville’s peeps have said recently that they are not ready for an MLB team at this point.

Orlando is all about the Rays. I think that is the most probable likelihood this far out.

Yeah, so glad the tigers signed Alex Wood instead.

We attended a game in Oakland on July 4th, 2019 with our son and his family when they were living out there. It was a beautiful day and the game was fun, A’s won! Remembering the good times. I tip my hat to the fans that did routinely attend games there. That park showed its age and there wasn’t a whole lot you could do to make it better, my opinion only. The concourses were small and cramped and the parking lot area was subpar. Of course, the park is in an area that represents Oakland well, if you get the drift. I’ll be interested to see what attendance looks like for the Rays in Tampa this year. Everything I’m reading suggests the Rays want out of the commitment to the park planned for the gas district. March 31st is the latest date to watch on that.

Verlander has embraced the role of being a willing mentor in SF that I knew he would have in Detroit, given the opportunity. He’s been very involved with the younger pitchers through watching their bullpens and sharing his ideas and observations with them. Nothing but positive vibes from Bob Melvin down.

Gerritt Cole has been brought in as a special instructor.

Thank you for this information!

We’ll see the Jays in Lakeland. The anthems hadn’t crossed my mind but yeah, might be interesting.

I coached youth baseball for five years or so when my son was of age. I have four grandsons nine years and under that play baseball. Of course, my son is coaching youth baseball now. I enjoy this kind of stuff. My wife is a team player that is a legit baseball fan! Thank you for sharing your experiences. 👍

Yeah, I generally have gone down in mid March or later. I know that this will be a different scenario. I’m hoping to see Clark and McGonigle in Richmond in May with Erie.

We’re headed to Lakeland Friday for a five game stretch beginning Saturday. We have never been down this early in the spring. It hit me after ordering tickets that it won’t even be daylight savings time yet! I was hoping to see Clark and McGonigle this year but they didn’t get an invite. Has anyone on the board here attended any of the workouts/games on the backfields in spring training? Is there seating? Anything? I called the Lakeland office and the person I spoke to said the minor league guys are out on the back fields from 10-12. Thanks for any info anybody has on this. Can’t help but remember hueytaxi when talking spring training.

Watched a conversation with Flaherty on MLB earlier today. It is more than obvious that he is happy to be back in Detroit. Win-win for both sides.

I guess we’ll take any good news about El Mago at this point.

Thanks for posting. Fun read.

ps, he landed in Toledo.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6134939/2025/02/13/alex-bregman-detroit-tigers-rejection/ Cody Stavenhagen in the athletic today: Alex Bregman’s rejection of the Tigers is a reminder of harsh realities LAKELAND, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers courted Alex Bregman all winter. Chose to pass on other free agents. Based their offseason on hopes of landing the star third baseman. It still was not enough. “Breg is an all-time player,” said relief pitcher Alex Lange, Bregman’s college teammate at LSU. “Before I played with Miguel Cabrera, he was probably the best player I’ve ever played with. His intuition for the game and everything like that is second to none. … I’m happy to see him get his money. Wish it would have been with us.” To their credit, the Tigers made a compelling effort. Detroit offered Bregman six years and about $171 million with an opt-out after 2026, per a league source. The Tigers, per the source, did not offer Bregman an opt-out after the first year of his deal. He ended up signing with the Boston Red Sox on a three-year contract worth $140 million, featuring opt-outs after both 2025 and 2026. Bregman chose a higher AAV, more opt-out flexibility, a friendlier ballpark and a more prestigious franchise.

This podcast is dedicated to discussing the Tigers Farm System. Really good.

He’s happy in SF playing for Bob Melvin and close to home. I’d really like to know whether Harris even picked up the phone to inquire about Chapman at the time though. It’s worked out well for Chapman. As far as how much money is enough, 🤷🏼…

Agree with your point but, short a trade in the very near future, the Tigers infield is a concern to start the season.

Bregman just suckered the Red Sox out of $120 million for three years…if he sticks around that long. I don’t think he’ll do better than that on a deal going forward. I’m glad he signed elsewhere. If the Tigers were honestly in on Bregman and were very close to Boston in money/years offered, why no interest in Chapman last year? Matt Chapman signed a $151 million deal for six years in San Francisco. Maybe Harris was interested but I’ve never heard anything to suggest as much. I don’t have any idea that Chapman would have been interested in Detroit. Then and now, I believe Chapman would have been the center piece of the infield, whatever Baez’ health status. Spring training will be interesting. The infield needs to be better than what I’m seeing on paper.

Well, the truck already looks the part.