4hzglory

It would be extremely hard to as the vast majority of players aren't good enough to make it even a couple seasons. You can't pay them a huge amount more without taking $ away from the ones who have proven themselves, so unless you were to pay players all a minimum salary, and then a check at the end of the season based on their performance, I don't know how you would do it. For some that check could be $40 mil. For some it could be nothing. The current CBA does have some of that built in for non arbitration eligible players, and I would expect the amount in that pool to increase.

Lions released Fuller from the practice squad per Pride of Detroit.

Tucker would be great, but I don't see it at all. Even with his down year, he's projected to get 10/$400 from most places and I don't see that fitting. I think at most they are in play for one of Bichette/Bregman and a starter like Cease or Ranger Suarez and then swing and miss for the pen.

My definition of not doing something stupid is if you trade him, you still need to compete in 2026 and it must be good enough of a return to also improve you for at least 3 years. I'm not all that concerned about losing him for just a comp pick, as again, I think they have many ways to improve by 2027 (assuming there is a season). McGonigle and Clark should be up with some time under their belt. Not to mention one or 2 of Lee/Alexander/Jung/Briceno being improvements over the current lot of Ibanez and Jones. I think Keith has a great chance to be a solid player by 2027 (I think we see a big jump in 2026 and he becomes our primary 3b barring a FA signing). Jobe should also be fully recovered and I'm assuming even with Skubal, (and Flaherty), they sign someone for a multiple years this offseason (like Cease). That gives time to evaluate/develop Olson/Melton/Mize (to see if extend)/SGL/Montero/rest of farm and have the $ to make another FA signing in 2027. IMO, they have time and a path to do that for 2027, but those pieces aren't all in place for 2026 which is why they need Skubal for a chance to really compete.

Not at all IMO as there are other ways to improve after 2026. Having a season in 2027 is no sure thing, let alone being in contention then. With Skubal, they are the favorites in the Central. They know they are set up for contention in 2026. By 2027, if there is a season, a number of these players won't be here. They for sure want to be given the best chance in the present, knowing if they are here, reinforcements are coming from a top 3 farm system in future years.

I'm not advocating signing him to a long term deal (even though I'd definitely be happy if they did as it would mean they figure the $ work). I'm saying what Lee, Chas, and Brian are saying, you don't trade your Ace (who will be closer to $20 mil for 2026) when trading him takes you from being the favorites in the division to playoff long shots. And for sure TV and radio ratings will drop if they aren't in contention and that is where most of the long term revenue $ end up being. I know I don't make it a point to watch at least part of probably 80% of their games when they are having down years like I did last year.

People seem to dismiss this and say the players are professionals, but they are human and we see many times where players don't play with the same energy when they are discouraged. It's one reason you see excitement when teams make trades at the deadline. Seattle didn't get much from Suarez on the field after the trade, but they did get a boost from trading for him in their attitude. The fact that he was so loved there before helped. (They also got more than expected from Naylor, especially on the basepaths)

Can you imagine the apathy if not only do you take a team out of contention by making the team worse this year and then have a work stoppage in 2027?

They definitely don't believe that. The stats have been posted a number of times, but prior to the Tampa game, the Lions go from a top 1-3 defense when Arnold is in the game to a bottom 5 when he is out. (I'm sure the Tampa game improved the numbers for when he is out.)

And Louisiana is a recruiting hotbed. Like you said, with NIL, it’s easier for other schools to be involved.

He said he could win there easier than Notre Dame. There were many Irish fans glad to see him go. He put very little personal effort into recruiting while at ND, rarely meeting with recruits. I’m sure he thought he could continue that and win at LSU.

The Marlins took Hicks from us last year.

They have to have a challenge left. You only get 2 incorrect ones per game.

In the minors I think there’s been a pretty large amount of both. For hitters it’s probably more avoiding strike 3 than getting ball 4 though.

Yeah, but that was before Skubal was what he is. I think it’s arguable who’s better of Cease or Flaherty on the market, but expect Cease to get something around 3 for $70 while Flaherty may be fortunate to get 2 for $40 if he doesn’t take the QO.

I wonder if he's being coy, as if he came out and said "Our guys needed a break and this gave us longer than a time out with a microscopic chance of something being found to overturn the play" the league would begin to look into the policy.

I agree completely. If Harris were to trade Skubal and basically kill the forward momentum, how could it not hurt significantly the vibe the team has developed since August 2024. That willingness to do whatever is asked of them is a huge part of why the team has played better than most expected and advanced in the playoffs 2 straight years. You tell them, you’re not good enough so we’re going to trade away our best chance of competing in 2026 and don’t think there will be consequences? Once that trust is broken, it’s almost impossible to get back. We’re not just talking about Skubal the pitcher, we are talking about the entire vibe, belief, and doing whatever helps the team being affected. It’s different even than if Skubal would get injured. Then teams often rise up to compensate. But if you feel the organization doesn’t believe enough in you as a group and took away your chances, that is another story altogether. And don’t think it wouldn’t be a factor trying to sign guys whose top priority is winning, knowing management is willing to halt the momentum that is building for the hope that down the road, the prospects we got in return for the best pitcher in baseball may help us win.

I think we showed this year that we have every opportunity to get to the LCS and the team that took 15 innings to beat us in game 5 was 9 outs away from the World Series. So yes, I do think we have a chance - obviously not as good as the Dodgers, but we showed throughout the season and postseason that we can compete with anyone and having the best pitcher in baseball at the top of the rotation gives a fighting chance. If the Rangers and Diamondbacks a couple years back could be in the World Series, our team with Skubal can get hot and do it.

That would be an awful rule for the mlb IMO. I can see why an exhibition team does it, but it would completely distort the game. It's already hard enough for hitters, let alone, if they foul one off they have to worry about a fan getting them out?

FYI, I think most of the posters on here, especially ones like Lee look at those same sites you do, and we all see the same things, no matter what the metrics say, you have numerous cases like Vaughn and Tork. It does mean they will likely be solid major leaguers, but even the top metric guys usually have multiple seasons before they become consistent "studs". Thinking all 3, even 2 of the 3 are going to be that within 2 seasons, let alone 1, is very wishful thinking. FYI, the metrics love our current prospects including Lee and Rainer also.

I’m sorry, but I think you completely overate other teams prospects. Did you see what Painter did this year? He realistically has a chance in 5 years to have 1 season 80% as good as Skubal did this year. He’s a really good pitching prospect, but probably rated better last year (like Jobe). The league is littered with top pitching prospects who never become what Casey Mize was this year. I’d love to have Painter in our system, but he (or the Mets pitchers) is far from the sure thing you act like he is.

Fixed it for you

I think Dingler, Carpenter, Greene, and Tork are above average and would be regulars (500 plus PA’s) on most playoff teams. Obviously if they resign Torres he would be also. And I think McKinstry would likely get 400 plus PA’s on a lot of this year’s playoff teams as well. This team as constructed with Skubal are the favorites for the Central in 2026. By 2027 McGonigle and Clark should be here (McGonigle likely in 2026). Who know maybe Lee or Anderson will surprise also. Not to mention the other prospects at AA and below.

This is where we extremely disagree. I don’t think keeping Skubal and losing him sets us up for 10 years of baseball purgatory. Our system is much better than the Angels you keep referencing. They also had/have their end of career Miggy.

When they are to 2 top 10 teams by a total of 4 points, they should - as long as they win out.