RatkoVarda

What should Harris have done? Manage the situation to ensure the Tigers got a successful result. He is paid a lot of money to do that. Harris was on notice that ERod and/or his wife and/or their marriage was difficult/strained/different. It is not a common occurrence that a player just up and leaves and team in the middle of a season, without warning or explanation, and then ghosts them when they try to make contact. So, trust but verify. Double check. And then triple check. And have multiple fallback options in case they flake out on you once again.

Harris had an opportunity to convert Rodriguez into assets that could have helped this team long term. He failed to do so. Yes, he was dealt a difficult hand, but he was unable to do anything with it. I don't have the the details and I don't need to have them. I see the results: failure. Harris either trusted Rodriquez, communication broke down, had no back up plan, waited too long, burned other bridges, asked for too much from others, or something else happened in some order or some combination. Rodriguez will walk and Ilitch will save money and the Tigers will get nothing, as Harris keeps building towards that great 2027 team.

prediction: he opts out and signs with San Diego

well, no; I've liked every trade (all 4) he has made

what STL got for Flaherty (who is having a much worse season than ERod) was the 16th and 18th prospects from a really deep Balt system, and both already at AAA. I assume that is basically the equivalent of what Harris did not get for ERod. I won't mention a former third baseman for the Tigers by name, because I am sick of having that conversation, but these missed opportunities (ignoring the good in a futile search for the great) seem very Avila-like to me. AND THAT IS NOT A COMPLIMENT!

you assume people are rational actors; not agreeing to go to play for one of the best sporting franchises on planet earth, and play in the playoffs is not a rational choice. I think the Tigers treated him well last Summer when he split on the team; maybe he sees it differently

I say this as a life-long Tiger fan: why would any player reject a trade to the LAD, a great organization that is currently in first place yet again, and going to the playoff for the 11th straight year? why?

CWS just traded Jake Burger for the Marlins #4 prospect Jake Eder. CWS are having a great firesale.

Lee (20 all this year) will be the 2nd youngest player for WMI after Campos. I assume he will share 2b with Gold, 3b with Pacheco, and SS with Workman.

Harris certainly has a type. Lee's OBP last year at A: 384; this year at A+: 372; overall: 380. And plays 3 positions (at least now he does).

3 hours to go!

only 2 AL teams competing for the last WC spot that have not made a deadline addition yet are ... Yankees and Red Sox.

embarrassing for him and the News; apparently no editor or copy boy anywhere who can help/correct him

JV is the key. He might just stay with the Mets. Maybe he goes back to Houston. He passed on the LAD offer this winter, but Kate presumably would not mind Cali. IMO could not see him going to Baltimore, but that must be what Mets want - pay down 95% of his deal in return for multiple prospects. Having him stay put is the best case for Harris - makes Lorenzen and Rodriguez that much more valuable.

moving on from Candy was logical and missing out on having DJ Herz and Kevin Made join the Tigers system is something we can all survive

hopefully that helps force Balt's hand into making a move

could be Harris got an acceptable offer, but waiting to see if another team tops it

if season ended today, they are in playoffs

Harris should trade ERod, Lorenzen, Cisnero and Schreve; and listen to offers on just about anyone; one (or more) of the trades will turn out to be a complete dud, but that is just how it works; DD made some bad trades; you need to be confident that more trades will help you, than hurt you (with some just being neutral)

Malloy 3-4, HR. even better in July than he was to start season; would be nice if his defense was at least tolerable, but that is still TBD.

took me a while to realize that Lakeland FCL (R) and Lakeland FSL (A) were different teams. maybe Clark reported to the wrong diamond

White Sox must really hate Thompson with a passion.

Nastrini is a top 10 prospect in a good LAD system. Leasure has a huge FB and no control, lots of Ks repeating AA; and superstar Trayce Thompson? for 2 garbage pitchers? Harris should get more for both ERod and Lorenzen.

the inverse is Avila never trading Boyd because he never got the BIG WIN haul from any team that he was desperately looking for. as well as holding onto Nick and JD until their market cratered.

CWS close to trading Lynn and Kelley to LAD. That's how its done; dump everything.