2025-2026 Tigers Off Season Thread

[gehringer_2]

2 hours ago, Sports_Freak said:

It seems like Harris is pretty good at building bullpens for Hinch to use. The bullpen was a major reason the Tigers made the playoffs in 2024 and standing pat on questionable arms isn't the best idea. Turnover seems to work best, while a solid bullpen is the difference in a playoff team and a bottom feeding team, building a bullpen is such a crapshoot.

It is a little interesting that they had Goldberg throw the cold water on him last week rather than it being Harris. Easier walk back if it wasn't the boss? 😉

Edited 9 hours ago by gehringer_2

[papalawrence]

Was thinking, had Foley and Lange been non-tendered by another team, I could see Harris inquiring, viewing them as Fetter projects

[Tiger337]

3 hours ago, gehringer_2 said:

It is a little interesting that they had Goldberg throw the cold water on him last week rather than it being Harris. Easier walk back if it wasn't the boss? 😉

I don't know what was said, but it seems traditional for management not to suggest that a rookie has a good chance to make the opening day roster.  

[Sports_Freak]

8 minutes ago, Tiger337 said:

I don't know what was said, but it seems traditional for management not to suggest that a rookie has a good chance to make the opening day roster.  

Unless they sign him to a long term contract like they did with Colt.

[Edman85]

1 hour ago, Sports_Freak said:

Unless they sign him to a long term contract like they did with Colt.

Just want to point out that if they do that before his debut, it makes him ineligible for the PPI pick. Given McGonigle's prospect status, he's a lot more likely to make that a big deal.

[gehringer_2]

4 hours ago, Tiger337 said:

I don't know what was said, but it seems traditional for management not to suggest that a rookie has a good chance to make the opening day roster.  

here are all Goldberg's quotes pulled from Petzold's column in the Freep:
 

Quote

I think it's premature to have that conversation,..(making the team in ST)

...There's still more development there,...It's not necessarily a commentary on Kevin, but it's just a commentary on the realities of how hard it is to make that transition and the importance that we foster that environment to put these guys in the best position possible."...

...We saw it with Kevin and Max going from A-ball to Double-A, It's a faster game as you move up. Kevin at the shortstop position, that transition, that faster pace of play, he had to make some adjustments."

.....The importance of reps at each level is part of that development path, That extension from Double-A to Triple-A, getting those reps is part of that development runway to create that environment where we put him in the best position possible to have success when he is in the big leagues."

"We view him as a shortstop, We feel like he has the attributes and the motor to play there, but we've gotten him reps at third base for a reason. As an organization, that versatility is something we're going to continue to value."...

"He's put himself in a position to be considered as a real contributor at some point in 2026, We're still going to prioritize his development to make sure we put him in the best position possible to have success. It was just over 200 plate appearances in Double-A."

 

Edited 1 hour ago by gehringer_2