2024 Detroit Tigers Spring Training Thread

[1776]

Thinking back to the three signings that Avila executed prior to the 2022 season….Tucker Barnhardt, ERod, and Javy Baez. I recall the signings created a bit of optimism at the time. 
2020 hindsight isn’t so kind to this trio now. 
Four more years of Baez won’t work. 

 

[Tiger337]

9 minutes ago, 1776 said:

Thinking back to the three signings that Avila executed prior to the 2022 season….Tucker Barnhardt, ERod, and Javy Baez. I recall the signings created a bit of optimism at the time. 
2020 hindsight isn’t so kind to this trio now. 
Four more years of Baez won’t work. 

 

Rodriguez was good last year.  Barnhart was bad, but they didn't give up much to get him.  Baez is the problem.  

[1776]

12 minutes ago, Tiger337 said:

Rodriguez was good last year.  Barnhart was bad, but they didn't give up much to get him.  Baez is the problem.  

ERod was MIA a good part of 2022. Regardless of reason, he wasn’t pitching in Detroit. Barnhardt was a bust. Baez is a present day disaster. My point is, the only year we can point to where any of these guys produced at an acceptable level was ERod last year, as you pointed out. 
 

[Tiger337]

4 minutes ago, 1776 said:

ERod was MIA a good part of 2022. Regardless of reason, he wasn’t pitching in Detroit. Barnhardt was a bust. Baez is a present day disaster. My point is, the only year we can point to where any of these guys produced at an acceptable level was ERod last year, as you pointed out. 
 

Baez performed pretty much as I expected in 2022, but I was never that excited about him

[casimir]

1 hour ago, 1776 said:

ERod was MIA a good part of 2022. Regardless of reason, he wasn’t pitching in Detroit. Barnhardt was a bust. Baez is a present day disaster. My point is, the only year we can point to where any of these guys produced at an acceptable level was ERod last year, as you pointed out. 
 

Was Barnhart ever good enough to be considered a bust?  I think the theory was a lefty/righty pairing at catcher, but I don’t think the physicality of the catching duties lends to a straight platoon operating there.  But looking at his career heading into that season, should there really have been any optimism behind his signing?

[Tiger337]

28 minutes ago, casimir said:

Was Barnhart ever good enough to be considered a bust?  I think the theory was a lefty/righty pairing at catcher, but I don’t think the physicality of the catching duties lends to a straight platoon operating there.  But looking at his career heading into that season, should there really have been any optimism behind his signing?

He was a left-handed hitting catcher with a good defensive rep and numbers to support his rep.  That made him a good back-up catcher, but he didn't hit enough to really be optimistic.  They also didn't give up anything to get him, so I thought it was a decent acquisition at the time, but not a big one.    

[casimir]

10 hours ago, Tiger337 said:

He was a left-handed hitting catcher with a good defensive rep and numbers to support his rep.  That made him a good back-up catcher, but he didn't hit enough to really be optimistic.  They also didn't give up anything to get him, so I thought it was a decent acquisition at the time, but not a big one.    

I remember the defensive reputation he had.  Maybe coupling that with a young rotation was part of the overblown good vibes that were being broadcast.

[chasfh]

I had been skeptical that the Tigers front office, even Harris, would not have placed any kind of priority on getting the right TV play by play announcer for the team. I believed they would have thought it was the last thing they should address, if at all, since it doesn’t lead directly to wins on the field. But A.J’s comment here shows how important they believe getting the right announcer in the booth is in energizing the fan base for the team. When the book gets written about the team’s transformation, the Jason Benetti hire is probably going to end up being regarded as one of the best moves they end up making. 

[oblong]

Just now, chasfh said:

I had been skeptical that the Tigers front office, even Harris, would not have placed any kind of priority on getting the right TV play by play announcer for the team. I believed they would have thought it was the last thing they should address, if at all, since it doesn’t lead directly to wins on the field. But A.J’s comment here shows how important they believe getting the right announcer in the booth is in energizing the fan base for the team. When the book gets written about the team’s transformation, the Jason Benetti hire is probably going to end up being regarded as one of the best moves they end up making. 

and getting that from the manager tells me that he and Scott Harris, and Greenberg, feel like a team and have long term plans to work together.  

 

[chasfh]

14 hours ago, casimir said:

Was Barnhart ever good enough to be considered a bust?  I think the theory was a lefty/righty pairing at catcher, but I don’t think the physicality of the catching duties lends to a straight platoon operating there.  But looking at his career heading into that season, should there really have been any optimism behind his signing?

No, there should not have been.

[chasfh]

4 minutes ago, oblong said:

and getting that from the manager tells me that he and Scott Harris, and Greenberg, feel like a team and have long term plans to work together.  

 

Old enough to remember the numerous wishful thinking posts in this forum predicting Harris would fire Hinch. 

Edited March 4, 2024 by chasfh

[chasfh]

1 hour ago, chasfh said:

Old enough to remember the numerous wishful thinking posts in this forum predicting Harris would fire Hinch. 

I just gotta laugh every time I remember reading these posts. I think some long-time fans simply prefer the image of a grizzled mustachioed baseball lifer who sucks down heaters in the dugout and yells at his superstar players authoritarian-style than they do a thoughtful soft-spoken Standford man with a psychology degree and a penchant for data.

[chasfh]

Speaking of which: looks like somebody has decided he doesn't need to update his LinkedIn profile anymore ...

[gehringer_2]

54 minutes ago, chasfh said:

Speaking of which: looks like somebody has decided he doesn't need to update his LinkedIn profile anymore ...

HaHa!

I haven't updated mine in 13yrs and I still get inquiries from it. At this point I leave there just for the amusement.

[oblong]

1 hour ago, chasfh said:

I just gotta laugh every time I remember reading these posts. I think some long-time fans simply prefer the image of a grizzled mustachioed baseball lifer who sucks down heaters in the dugout and yells at his superstar players authoritarian-style than they do a thoughtful soft-spoken Standford man with a psychology degree and a penchant for data.

I went to a season ticketholder event a few weeks ago at the soundboard venue at Motor City Casino.  1000 people were there.  Just from casually listening to others there's still a lot of people who don't get it.  Some bitch that he wears a hoodie.  

[Tiger337]

2 hours ago, chasfh said:

I had been skeptical that the Tigers front office, even Harris, would not have placed any kind of priority on getting the right TV play by play announcer for the team. I believed they would have thought it was the last thing they should address, if at all, since it doesn’t lead directly to wins on the field. But A.J’s comment here shows how important they believe getting the right announcer in the booth is in energizing the fan base for the team. When the book gets written about the team’s transformation, the Jason Benetti hire is probably going to end up being regarded as one of the best moves they end up making. 

Broadcasters are very important.  They don't contribute to winning, but their impact on the fan experience is huge.  When I look back on my time as a Tigers fan, I think Ernie Harwell has influenced my experience more than even the players.  

[Tiger337]

58 minutes ago, gehringer_2 said:

HaHa!

I haven't updated mine in 13yrs and I still get inquiries from it. At this point I leave there just for the amusement.

Most of my inquiries are from head hunters asking me if I have any interest or know anyone who has any interest in some position that has nothing to do with my linkedin profile. 

[Tigermojo]

Lipcius to LA for cash.

[gehringer_2]

14 minutes ago, Tigermojo said:

Lipcius to LA for cash.

I think Tigers minor league hands will be reaching their 'use by' dates earlier under this admin.

[chasfh]

27 minutes ago, Tigermojo said:

Lipcius to LA for cash.

@Edman85: is there a technical and practical difference between "cash considerations" and just plain cash? I would guess if there's any, it would have to do with what kind of budgeting they report to Baseball for luxury tax purposes. Or is "cash considerations" really just a schmancy way to say "cash"?

[RandyMarsh]

Never really thought of it but I wonder if it's tied to the player's performance or playing time. Like if he plays a certain number of games for the Dodgers in the majors the Tigers will get more money?

[Edman85]

44 minutes ago, chasfh said:

@Edman85: is there a technical and practical difference between "cash considerations" and just plain cash? I would guess if there's any, it would have to do with what kind of budgeting they report to Baseball for luxury tax purposes. Or is "cash considerations" really just a schmancy way to say "cash"?

I don't know in that regard, but when it comes to the CBT, cash exchanged in deals only counts when it is covering salaries, not being used to effectively purchase the player.

[Edman85]

Actually, @chasfh

 

I'm having a hard time interpreting this. "Actual Club Payroll" is effectively the CBT payroll.

Actually, now that I re-read... Cash considerations in lieu of a PTBNL if announced that way counts toward the CBT. Trades like Lipcius (or Leonard) do not.

Edited March 4, 2024 by Edman85

[Tenacious D]

Some Tigers prospect love on the latest BA Podcast (Ideal AL Spring Breakout rosters).

[chasfh]

55 minutes ago, Tenacious D said:

Some Tigers prospect love on the latest BA Podcast (Ideal AL Spring Breakout rosters).

So good to hear that kind of thing for a change!