HeyAbbott

Well, It looks like another exciting Harris styled off season. This year has had all the excitement of the breath-taking, non-stop action, of a paint drying tournament , white semi-gloss division. I do think there has been one thing said in this thread that makes sense. Given that the Tigers have not resigned Skubal, and the pitching looks might suspect for '27 and beyond, why would someone want to commit long term and sign here when the team can't go all in on its best player, and one of the best in the game? If you're a player and want a ring, why come here when you can go elsewhere, have a better chance at winning all, while being in a bigger market with better weather, and a more committed ownership? I suddenly have the feeling that every passing cloud contains a cast iron anvil with my name on it.

I think that I am perfectly OK with an impact infielder FA coming to Detroit, If not Bregman, then somebody else. The infields contribution to wins has mildly improved with a hernia-repaired Torres and the departure of Ibanez. If they sign Bregman, will we see less of Sweeney? That would be my hope. We need a replacement OF as the overall health of our outfield may be less than what is required. Let Clark mellow like fine scotch in Toledo. I also think the pitching in the minors is somewhat thin, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Olson go under the knife this year, possibly before the ASB. Jobe or Madden will not be available replacements more than likely either IMO. We need a starting pitcher. We need a bullpen arm or 2. We need an outfielder. We need Bregman. for the IF.

I agree. That's why Manfred will adopt it.

Any scenario going forward has risk. If Skubal is traded for a horde of players, most of the time, the team getting the one star wins the trade. We could sign him for 6 years and 480 million dollars and he could blow his arm out falling after stepping on a piece of leggo at home, trying to break his fall. Remember, he has had 2 significant arm surgeries, there will be a 3rd more than likely. The scenario I like is to keep Skubal, get a 3rd baseman, an outfielder, and another starting infielder, and do it by trading a surplus player or 2 such as Lee, Max Anderson, Brecenio, or Layronzo. Finally, the final scenario is to do little or nothing and standing pat, pinning your hopes on 2027 and beyond. This scenario is the most risk adverse approach, but with very serious risk. This choice is probably more likely than most of us think as the Tigers attendance still is not in the top half of the league, being surpassed by 100 loss Colorado that had one less home date. Any of these methods have risks. Pick your poison Scott.

Way to go Dingler!

I am American and I am rooting for the Jays.

Well. I am a TOF (i.e., Tired Old Fart), and I know no marketer gives a **** what I think.

While not a fan of Benetti's work with the Tigers, I think his college football and basketball work comes across as excellent. I think his national baseball work is of high quality.

The purpose of walk up music is to fill silence that gen Z folks can't tolerate My conjecture has always been that today's experience at the ballgame is designed to keep rock concert goers from walking out after the second pitch .

BTW, Tigers.com lists the name as Olson. I am not sure what Flaherty will do, I don't think he stays. I doubt how long Olson lasts in 2026 and I doubt Jobe's impact. An absolute minimum one one quality starting pitcher is required. That assumes some maturation as a pitcher by some of the internal candidates.

How sure are the forum's medical mavens that Olson pitches next year? He spent the whole year on rehab, practically speaking.

This is the most sensible thing yet that has been said about the Skubal extension.

On other notes, Seattle is on the verge of a WS appearance at this writing with a payroll 7 million less than Detroit if baseball reference figures can believed. Harris wasted a lot of money last year trying to be the smartest man I the room. I would much prefer one quality addition this year than mountains of assorted crap. For openers, find a way to get a strong enough infield roster so that we can say goodbye to Trey Sweeney and Ibanez. This team is at the point that small marginal changes can make a difference. From my way of thinking this year, If Bregman opts out of Boston adding him would be a small marginal change.

Stranger things have been known to happen and priorities change when a man's woman changes. Color me callous, I am still not convinced about the strength of the Illitch empire.

I am in the camp of not actively shopping Skubal before the deadline,but I would certainly listen to offers and do some negotiating if approached about Skubal availability. I am in no way signing him to a long term contract with Detroit. The resources could be used in other places for more impact. Paying pitchers is like bidding on the China used in some plate juggling act .

During the bankruptcy proceedings for Diamond Sports et al., originally the Tigers were going to be dumped from the rebranded FanDuel sports entirely. The TV revenue probably was no more than 30 million if that. If last Forbes numbers I saw are to be believed, the local TV revenue going into the season for a mid market team was 50 million roughly. I don't know if there is a revenue adjustment for ratings. And when one thinks about it, this year's TV revenue paid for Meada, Cobb, and Brebbia.

I remarked about this year's attendence in another post. As it stands right now, a reasonable business case can be made for spending very little. "Even with a good team, the fans don't show up", someone could say and they would not be entirely wrong. It is not a foregone conclusion that there will be spending. The TV revenue is low, the attendence was lagging for a good team, and there might be more pressing priorities for Chris to spending money on, given he has a new chippie.

I wonder if McKinstry will pitch an inning.

Snowy gets catnip and she will be on my lap for tomorrow's game.

Rally kitty wants some runs.

Carpenter hit his double the precise moment that Snowy,our White cat with one green eye and one blue eye hopped into my lap. Maybe she is a good luck kitty?

To be totally honest, I thought the Tigers played better defense as a team for the whole year than I thought at the beginning of the season.

It is simple Tigers. Stay focused and win three straight. Then we don't need no stinkin' scenarios.

Maybe they were "entertained * by a bus load of hot female ice skaters?

They have blown 2 good chances to make it togh on Cleveland. Not looking good. They need another 4 runs to win this.