ICroupier

The difference between this year's offense and last year's offense is less than 1 run per game. We didn't lose many games by .5 runs last year, so not sure the offense is going to save the day, either.

And do you trust this year's bullpen to win those games? Because I sure don't. Having our SP keeping us in games is not good enough in the playoffs. We need starters who are going to go out and win those games. And right now, we only have 1 pitcher who can do that. We absolutely need another if we have any chance at a title.

I want DeGrom and Bednar. I don't have any confidence come playoff time if we can't land a true #2. Mize has been very good, and I'm fine with him as a #3. But Flaherty has been too inconsistent and far too hittable at times to be trusted. And Olson is too unproven to be counted on in the high pressure playoffs. I'd be willing to trade Liranzo, Hamm, + for DeGrom. And then Lee+ for Bednar. I'd be willing to move others for another bullpen arm if Lange is out again.

Good Holton is such a big plus for this team. A permanent return to good Holton, the addition of Lee, and the eventual addition of Lange would be huge for this BP. Still would love to see an 8th/9th inning guy brought in at the deadline to pair with Kahnle and Vest, but things starting to come together for that unit.

Agreed. Way too much. But what about this? Would you swap Meadows and Rainer for Clark and McGonigle? I have absolutely no concern trading Keith, Jobe, and SGL. And to me, the short term loss of Meadows until Clark is ready would still totally make this deal worth it. That said, Pitt would never go for it, as they'd be crucified if they traded Skenes without getting either of our top 2, but I actually think that is a solid package and would be a compromise for both sides - Tigers giving up more than they probably want, but keeping their 2 studs.

And fail he did.

Trading Clark for Miller would be asinine.

You'd have to give up WAY more than our #25 prospect for Miller, down year or not. I'd think a Dylan Smith and Max Anderson-type package would be needed. Not saying I'd do it, but that's what it would take.

We need a legit #2. I don't trust Flaherty or Mize come playoff time. They might be OK against a team's #3 or #4, but I'd feel way better about our postseason chances if we paired Skubal with another arm we all felt comfortable sending out there. Also need 2 more bullpen arms - either 2 setup guys or a setup and backend. Kahnle and Vest can only carry us so far.

I met Mario Lemieux at the Super Bowl XL tailgate party and he was MASSIVE. Like legit couldn't believe how solid he was. Couldn't imagine trying to check him.

Oh man, Slow Horses is SO good!!

Sweeney should not be playing every day or maybe even on the ML roster, at this point. Would much rather run out a Baez / McStinky combo.

Is Sports_Freak right about anything ever? Dude is a walking bad take.

Waving Joey? Is he related to Slippin Jimmy?

Beyond all the reasons other have already expressed, Tork has been behaving like an uncoachable, do-it-his-own-way, selfish disappointment. His act of not listening to the team and then not performing on the field is tired.

There's no chance in hell the Tigers are re-signing Skubal. He'll land $250M+, and it sure as hell ain't coming from us.

This makes me so happy.

So much going on in last 3 pages of this thread: -- Shocker re: Cobb. I thought for sure he was in line for 32 starts and 200+ innings. I actually am happy about it because my preference would be for Mize and Jobe to be in the rotation. Jobe because he's ready and Mize because he needs 1 more chance before we move on completely -- Twitter is an absolute cesspool. I deactivated my account a few months ago and am very happy with that decision. Social media is like organized religion - has done more harm than good. And anything newsworthy that's posted there on any topic that interests me, I find out second hand anyway. So I still get the updates without directly exposing myself to the absolute worst of humanity -- Tork can't be gone soon enough as far as I'm concerned. Even if he didn't believe in advanced analytics (which is dumb, but let's forget it), you'd think someone who is on thin ice and running out of lives would be willing to do whatever his team thinks is best to improve his chance of sticking. That is, of course, unless he doesn't want to stick. At this point I'm convinced he clearly wants out and is trying to force their hand -- Brebbia is a solid signing. Not going to be a final piece or anything, but he'll be a contributor

"Informal rule" is an oxymoron

Mize has almost no trade value. The only bat he's bringing back is an inconsequential one.

He's going to the Padres or Dodgers.

Not really worried about what this means for Tork. He's a severely flawed player who will have the opportunity to show improvement either as a part-time player or in AAA. if he improves, it will give the team flexibility in 2026 after Torres' contract ends. If he doesn't, they can finally cut the cord definitively. My guess is it will be the latter.

I didn't miss anything. "(Hinch) told Manfred's investigators that he was not supportive of the system, calling it 'wrong and distracting.' " "Hinch destroyed the monitor twice, forcing it to be replaced. However, Hinch admits he did not stop it and he did not notify players or Cora that he disapproved of it ..." "Similarly, (Hinch) knew of and did not stop the communication of sign information from the replay room ..."

It's pretty simple. Hinch knew it was going on and let it continue. That's complicity from the one guy in charge of the clubhouse. So if we're OK with the leader of the team that cheated, why would we all of a sudden draw a line on one of the players?