2025-2026 Tigers Off Season Thread

[casimir]

On 2/28/2026 at 9:33 AM, Edman85 said:

I don't understand the "Limit guys' innings to protect their arms, but let them max out in relief" strategy...

What do you mean?  Is this along the lines of throwing harder over fewer pitches rather than pitching for more pitches?

[chasfh]

On 2/28/2026 at 4:59 PM, Tenacious D said:

I think they’d keep Baez over Jones.

We could use a bat off the bench against hooks, and Javy ain’t that. Jones may have had the inside track coming into camp, but I also think we’re also getting a look at Austin Slater for possibly filling that role.

[Edman85]

10 hours ago, casimir said:

What do you mean?  Is this along the lines of throwing harder over fewer pitches rather than pitching for more pitches?

I am saying throwing harder over fewer pitches is worse on the elbow in particular.

[gehringer_2]

1 hour ago, Edman85 said:

I am saying throwing harder over fewer pitches is worse on the elbow in particular.

The difference in TJ morbidity for relief pitchers compared to starting pitchers isn't anywhere near as large as I would expect it to be if it were just based on pitch count. But the question is whether it's throwing harder or more often or just both, that increases the risk for RPs.

Edited 5 hours ago by gehringer_2

[Tiger337]

1 hour ago, gehringer_2 said:

The difference in TJ morbidity for relief pitchers compared to starting pitchers isn't anywhere near as large as I would expect it to be if it were just based on pitch count. But the question is whether it's throwing harder or more often or just both, that increases the risk for RPs.

I like to compare pitching to distance running as I am very familiar with the stresses of the latter.  It's not the same because throwing different kinds of pitches with maximun intensity strains your arm more than the repetive motion of running.  However, I think of frequency and duration of running is analagous to the frequency and duration of pitching.  I think that running 33 half marathons in six months versus running 70 5ks in six months would each put a different kind of stress on the joints.  Starting pitching has the risk of cumulative long-term wear and tear whereas relief pitching has more risk of acute injury due to max intensity and shorter recovery.  Both are big risks, but I think that the routine of being a starting pitcher is easier to manage than the erratic use of relievers.  There are pros and cons of each, but I don't think using a young pitcher in short relief versus starting is keeping him safer.  

Edited 3 hours ago by Tiger337

[gehringer_2]

there is certainly a complex interaction between the frequency of repetitive stress, the intensity, the max stress and the recovery interval and they are probably all non-linear. Superimpose that on the genetic diversity of the population and the relatively small sample size of pitchers to study and you have really tough epidemiology to solve.

OTOH, there is a stupendous amount of money at risk that should be motivating people to solve it.

Edited 3 hours ago by gehringer_2

[Edman85]

33 minutes ago, Tiger337 said:

I like to compare pitching to distance running as I am very familiar with the stresses of the latter.  It's not the same because throwing different kinds of pitches with maximun intensity strains your arm more than the repetive motion of running.  However, I think of frequency and duration of running is analagous to the frequency and duration of pitching.  I think that running 33 half marathons in six months versus running 70 5ks in six months would each put a different kind of stress on the joints.  Starting pitching has the risk of cumulative long-term wear and tear whereas relief pitching has more risk of acute injury due to max intensity and shorter recovery.  Both are big risks, but I think that the routine of being a starting pitcher is easier to manage than the erratic use of relievers.  There are pros and cons of each, but I don't think using a young pitcher in short relief versus starting is keeping him safer.  

Agreed, but as a jumping off point, I should put it this way...

If innings and innings alone is the only marker, starters should be dropping off 3x as much as relievers. To me, 6 max effort relief outings are much more dangerous than a 6 inning start.