tiger2022

Whether people like it or not, Tork will be the starting 1st baseman at the beginning of next season. Whether he keeps it or nor, that is another question

This might sound crazy, but Brad Ausmus. He was an all star in 99. Up until a few years ago, it seems like the Tigers always had at least league average catchers.

What other options do they have? They want him to succeed, he's only 24, and they are going to suck again next year so might as well give him the first 3 or 4 months next season.

What has he shown that makes him a very good first baseman? I don't see it.

You can type whatever, but why would anyone want a bad singles hitter with minimal power and way below average defensive skills playing 1st.

I'll throw another name out there: Mike Heath. He was solid behind the plate and was a solid hitter.

Book it, Torkelson will be the starting 1st baseman at the beginning of next season.

He struck out 9 straight batters.

Skeeter Barnes. The guy could play anywhere, didn't hurt you defensively and was a solid hitter. He'd probably be hitting 3rd on the 2024 Tigers.

King, Alcantara, and Lugo are my favorite Tigers. Probably the greatest trade in Tiger's history. Avila drives a hard bargain.

If you are building a house and have a pile of old broken 2x4s and shattered bricks laying around, you can go out and get better building material to finish the house. If the long term plan is putting a below average hitting 2nd baseman at 1st base, the front office should be fired ASAP. Keith would be the worst first baseman in the league.

The Tigers will need to sign some of the reclamation projects just to see if they can get production from them and if not, they didn't really lose a lot.

If a team has to play Keith at 1st, they have a lot of problems. First is the position for hitters.

Derek Jeter and his 5 GGs enter the conversation.

I don't keep up on the FA class, but maybe a guy like Randal Grichuk. For pitchers, maybe guys that are on the outs and looking for one last chance like Alex Wood, Ross Stripling, or Eric Lauer. The contract would be a lot lower than Maeda's and if they don't work out, nothing really lost. The one player that I have always been a fan of is Jonathan India. He has another year on his contract for about $5 million. He's young and really has no position in Cincinnati. He is starting right now but they have an injured Matt Mclain who will be the starter at 2nd base next year. They could probably swing a trade in the off-season without giving up too much. Maybe give him a modest extension and he's instantly the 2nd best offensive player in the organization. I don't know what they want to do with Keith and his contract, but India is a big upgrade offensively and defensively.

Fryman was a helluva player. Had he stayed as a SS, you are talking a guy who might have had HOF consideration. Just slightly better than Jim Walewander.

According to my understanding, for the pick to actually be decent, they would need to offer him 50million+. I get the sense that Ilitch doesn't want to spend that much. When you are a cheap organization, FAs aren't going to come to the team and the Tigers end up losing a lot, and since the team loses a lot it's almost impossible to get a top FA to sign in Detroit unless you super overpay them. It's like a vicious circle.

Let's see if the Tigers can remain consistent. They have lost 6 out of their last 7 series. A loss tonight will make it 7 out if 8. Also they haven't had a 2 game winning streak since June 4. Montero doesn't inspire a lot of confidence.

The Tigers are either going to have to overpay for a FA or find one that was injured last season or had a down year and ink him to a 1 year prove it deal. The problem is when they prove it, they are not interested with returning to the Tigers because they want a chance to win.

Flaherty will probably want to sign at a place he can have a chance of winning. That's not in detroit.

Spring training has never been a tryout camp ever. It os preseason to help get the people that are going to make the roster in shape. At most, there might be a bullpen position up for grabs and maybe one position player spot that can be decided. They know what the regular season roster will be before spring training starts.

My vote goes for Chet Lemon. He was a great center fielder. He could hit, steal a bag if he needed. His career WAR is 55.7. I know WAR has limitations, but it is higher than HOFers like Joe Mauer, David Ortiz, Hank Greenberg, Tony Perez, Kirby Puckett, Jim Rice, Lou Brock, Harold Baines...

But you can get upgraded seats next year.

Two Cy Young candidates going against each other tonight.

I think there is a solution you are probably missing. If you like the direction the team is going in, then more power to you. And I'd rather watch him pitch his final 2 years here instead of getting some crappy light hitting middle infield prospects that the Tigers always seem to trade for.