2025-2026 Tigers Off Season Thread

[Biff Mayhem]

8 hours ago, Edman85 said:

He's a good dude, and I know he lurks here even if he doesn't post. Maybe this will drive him out of the shadows!

I said what I said. Stand by it 100%. 

[casimir]

6 hours ago, chasfh said:

Melton.

Maybe.  I guess he tossed 130 innings last year, and for whatever reason I seem to think it was only around 100 until I look it up.  So I guess he should be good for around 150, but them does a playoff run dig into that?  So, I guess depending upon what Anderson looks like in camp, maybe Melton starts put in Toledo just to keep some innings in reserve?  I suppose he could break camp with limited use in Toledo in April.

[IdahoBert]

So I guess Baez tested positive for weed a couple years ago. BFD. 

[Hongbit]

El Mago Mota

[Tigermojo]

Is that where he learned that swipe tag? Hiding joints from the teachers? 

[Tiger337]

On 12/10/2025 at 9:20 AM, casimir said:

Its rule 5 draft day.  Shoutout to @Jim Cowan.

He hasn't posted since last July.  I hope he is OK.  I think he is about 75 years old.         

[tiger2022]

How many games before Valdez really hates his infield?  Torres has below average range, Keith has limited range, substandard arm, and could easily lead the league in errors.  Tork is average at best, and if Baez plays center field, shortstop will be McKinstry.  

Q

[gehringer_2]

39 minutes ago, tiger2022 said:

f Baez plays center field, shortstop will be McKinstry.  

I'm on the skeptical side, but Rdrs actually grades McKinstry positively as a SS, statcast has him neutral. The weakest link potentially is McGonigle. I've yet to hear anyone say they were impressed with his glove work. If he hits his way on to the team but can't hold down short, that does lead to a messy situation.

[tiger2022]

7 minutes ago, gehringer_2 said:

I'm on the skeptical side, but Rdrs actually grades McKinstry positively as a SS, statcast has him neutral. The weakest link potentially is McGonigle. I've yet to hear anyone say they were impressed with his glove work. If he hits his way on to the team but can't hold down short, that does lead to a messy situation.

If he is as good of a hitter as people believe, they'll find a position for him.  I can't believe his glove can be worse than Colt Keith's.  Dude was on pace for about 50 errors a few years ago until they pulled him off the field.  Torres won't be back next season, so that opens up 2nd base.

Edited 5 hours ago by tiger2022

[Cruzer1]

12 hours ago, Biff Mayhem said:

I said what I said. Stand by it 100%. 

Not nice.

[gehringer_2]

33 minutes ago, tiger2022 said:

If he is as good of a hitter as people believe, they'll find a position for him.  I can't believe his glove can be worse than Colt Keith's.  Dude was on pace for about 50 errors a few years ago until they pulled him off the field.  Torres won't be back next season, so that opens up 2nd base.

TBF, the year Keith came up he made a bunch of errors early but the error rate in the second half was not an issue and there were things he did well as a 2B - e.g. his DP turn is very fast. 

In 250 innings at 3b last season his Rrds was zero and -2 OAA on statcast. Not great, but not end of the world either. His throws from 3B peaked at 86mph - again, not great but not terrible and in his favor he is pretty accurate. 

He's not going to be fielding asset but I don't think his play at 3b is going to be something that hold them back. Honestly I'm more concerned about the OF if Meadows doesn't hit. Greene fell off a cliff defensively last season, Perez makes a nice play now and then but he also makes mistakes. Kerry throws well but catches like a DH. Vierling and Baez could end up our best OF and Hinch won't play them enough because they are RHH.

[Tiger337]

Players will move around to different positions and there will not be strict platoons.  If Meadows can't hit enough, Baez might play some centerfield, but necessarily be the regular centerfielder.  Since Valdez is a ground ball pitcher, perhaps Baez will play shortstop when he pitches and Vierling or Meadows will be in center field those days.  

Edited 4 hours ago by Tiger337

[gehringer_2]

24 minutes ago, Tiger337 said:

Players will move around to different positions and there will not be strict platoons.  If Meadows can't hit enough, Baez might play some centerfield, but necessarily be the regular centerfielder.  Since Valdez is a ground ball pitcher, perhaps Baez will play shortstop when he pitches and Vierling or Meadows will be in center field those days.  

Since they have Baez and Vierling, will they will even carry Meadows if he doesn't hit and McGonigle or even Anderson are knocking at the door with good sticks? I think the clock is ticking for Parker - my guess he gets some PA early but it's going to be a short leash he doesn't do anything with them.

Edited 4 hours ago by gehringer_2

[Biff Mayhem]

58 minutes ago, Cruzer1 said:

Not nice.

Oh Boo Hoo. 

[Tiger337]

1 minute ago, gehringer_2 said:

Since they have Baez and Vierling, will they will even carry Meadows if he doesn't hit and McGonigle or even Anderson are knocking at the door with good sticks?

If McGonigle is ready, then that changes a lot of things.  I am actually pretty optimistic that he'll hit his way on to the team in Spring training.  I know that Harris would love for him to be ready on opening day because it could mean another draft pick.  

[tiger2022]

41 minutes ago, gehringer_2 said:

Since they have Baez and Vierling, will they will even carry Meadows if he doesn't hit and McGonigle or even Anderson are knocking at the door with good sticks? I think the clock is ticking for Parker - my guess he gets some PA early but it's going to be a short leash he doesn't do anything with them.

He'll be injured by game 25 anyway.

[tiger2022]

I would bet Harris manipulates the service time for McGonigle. He won't be on the opening day roster

[NorthWoods]

13 hours ago, Biff Mayhem said:

I said what I said. Stand by it 100%. 

McClintock.

 

[NorthWoods]

56 minutes ago, Tiger337 said:

If McGonigle is ready, then that changes a lot of things.  I am actually pretty optimistic that he'll hit his way on to the team in Spring training.  I know that Harris would love for him to be ready on opening day because it could mean another draft pick.  

I think he will too.   I wouldn't be surprised with a shocker from another kid.....Lee or Anderson.  Even Clark.

[Cruzer1]

1 hour ago, Biff Mayhem said:

Oh Boo Hoo. 

Local internet tough guy.

[CaliforniaDreaming]

1 hour ago, tiger2022 said:

I would bet Harris manipulates the service time for McGonigle. He won't be on the opening day roster

This would be the smart move. I'd take the guaranteed extra year of control over the possibility of getting a draft pick any day. It gains you a lot more playing time when he should be playing really well while losing less playing time when he is still developing.

[casimir]

15 hours ago, IdahoBert said:

So I guess Baez tested positive for weed a couple years ago. BFD. 

Isn’t weed a bit of a “remedy” for glaucoma?  Maybe he’s got early onset and that explains the swing and miss?

[chasfh]

15 hours ago, IdahoBert said:

So I guess Baez tested positive for weed a couple years ago. BFD. 

This sucks because I'm going to Puerto Rico to see a Puerto Rico game that Saturday night, and I wanted to pimp my Tigers cap for the crowd when he came to the plate!

[chasfh]

4 hours ago, gehringer_2 said:

Vierling and Baez could end up our best OF and Hinch won't play them enough because they are RHH.

😕

[chasfh]

2 hours ago, NorthWoods said:

I think he will too.   I wouldn't be surprised with a shocker from another kid.....Lee or Anderson.  Even Clark.

Hao-Yu Lee is my dark horse candidate to be the starting third baseman on March 25.