1984Echoes

Sorry Chas... but I gotta quote your post as it's the most apt for the following thoughts... After listening to Olney: I now 100% disagree with the sentiment in your post... And there are quite a few on here that have the same sentiments so to all who feel this way... Skubal's getting traded this offseason. 100% (IMO). The biggest detractive points are what has been outlined: Noone wants to empty their farm system. For only 1 year of a pitcher, no matter how good he is. And they're certainly not going to include any MLB talent. I mostly agree with this. EXCEPT... There is another way to think about this (I started thinking about this other thought-stream after listening to Buster), and it actually has been posted in this thread previously: And it's not just Cohen. There are others that are perfectly comfortable working with Boras. Dombrowski is another. The Dodgers are another. I'm not certain about the Red Sox. Maybe? Probably? The Blue Jays? Mariners? Dunno. But there are several with the "balls" to do just that. Trade for Skubal even without an immediate extension in place... That team is still going to be cocky enough to say "We'll sell him on us. He'll love this team and city. We'll do whatever it takes to keep him. We've worked with Boras before and we can do it again." What risk does that team take? The same as Detroit, with where we are at right now. One year of Skubal and only a Comp pick in 2027 to show for it. But there ARE teams that will take that risk... just as Hongbit pointed out. One other thing as Buster points out: After the 2026 season... who knows what happens with the new CBA negotiations. Teams in fact, right now, are shying away from major commitments in 2027. So... there is the real possibility that a team will WANT to take a big swing in 2026, even at the cost of quite a lot in prospect/ future control terms... for ONLY the one year of Skubal. They will try to re-sign him... but are PERFECTLY willing to wait until the new CBA is resolved. Meaning... not add in the cost of a new Skubal contract until then. And... That may actually HURT Boras/Skubal in free agency next year. Not that he WON'T get that massive offer... but that no one will get them offers until the new CBA. They, and all other 2027 FA's, may get stuck waiting for that to be resolved first. At least that's what I am getting from what Olney is saying...

He's not going to the bullpen. He's going on the roster as the 5th starter OR he's going to Toledo as the 6th/7th/8th starter... How ever that plays out. But... No, he's not going to the bullpen.

Bucks site says it is only a calf strain. Out a few weeks. So not serious. Although with age... The injuries, even minor ones, start to pop up more frequently...

Cade should give him a quick call...

This was my second thought. My first thought was: "Looks like a Herschel Walker trade... to me." So... no. But another thought occurred to me during tonight's game... as KP was throwing up 32 points... Milwaukee will say no to these changes... But here I go anyways: Harris, Ivey, Holland, LeVert for Giannis & Kevin Porter Jr. Plus (4) 1sts and the (3) 1st round swaps... plus we have 12-14 2nd rounders over the next 7 years... In the years we lose our 1sts in this trade we keep our highest 2nd rounder, they get all the remaining 2nd rounders. If they say no, c'est la vie. If that trade actually gets done (a shock to mine and everyone's system?): Looking at it from the Piston's Roster: Cade-KPJ-Ausar-Giannis-Duren start. I would take that starting 5 over any in the NBA. Pushed to the bench: Stew-Duncan-Paul Reed at PF?, maybe KPJ has to run all the bench PG minutes so is a little bit staggered with either Cade or KPJ always on the floor? And somehow, some additional guard minutes needed between Lanier-Jenkins-Sasser-Javonte Green? Bench might be a bit of work-in-progress but I think we could get it to a serviceable level... But that's the Giannis trade I would sign off on. Would Milwaukee? EDIT (Just some minor grammar changes...)

There are several points I disagree with... 1) I don't think the Mets are the only outlier. 2) Has everyone forgotten that Dave Dombrowski likes shiny toys? 3) Anyone who wants to take down the Dodgers has their eyes on Skubal. And Tucker or others, etc... But... Skubal. 4) When we traded for Miggy with one year left before FA... We immediately signed him to a long-term extension if memory serves. I believe Boras was his agent? (although I have a faulty memory... was it Rosenhaus?) 5) Boras HAS signed players before getting them to FA before... Not his MO or preference... but meet his and his client's price... And the deal gets done. 6) The Red Sox would be willing to meet their price if they traded for Skubal. So would the Mets. So would the Phillies. Even the Dodgers would do that, as a blocking measure, just to ensure the Mets or Phillies do NOT get Skubal (IMO...). 7) I AGREE that Harris doesn't want to trade Skubal. However, as the top guy for the Tigers, he is going to make the BEST DECISION for the TIGERS ORG. Not the fans. Not the media. Not Boras. Not Skubal. I think his FIRST want is to sign Skubal to an extension... but at a price and term that he believes is in the Org's best interest. If they are pricing themselves higher than what he believes is good for the Org (and Boras definitely will have that price too high), then I am going to guess that Harris, IN THE BEST INTERESTS of the TIGERS ORG... will absolutely accept a Godfather offer. In the interests of the Tigers Org, and NOT just for 2026 and ONLY 2026... He will rightly have concluded that a Godfather offer is superior to having Skubal in 2026 and then a Comp pick in 2027. This may upset everyone on this board. But Harris doesn't answer to any of us. We are ONLY fans. He has a responsibility to the ORG, NOT just for 2026, but for this year and multiple years to follow. If he receives a Godfather offer, he WILL pull the trigger. He will have correctly concluded that 4 (or 3 or 5 or whatever) very highly talented players that he receives in return for Skubal is greater value to the Tigers Organization. ATF and I are correct. Even if that upsets everyone else on this board. Sorry everyone.

I agree with all of this. Which is why I said he will get his shot in spring training. He may end up as being nothing more than a 6th 7th starter in Toledo. Or he may be better than that and grab a 5th spot. It's all up to him, even if he's a long shot. And I also agree with this. It's perfectly fine, by me and I'm guessing a few others here, that Harris is looking for those long shot 5th / 6th / 7th / 8th starters for 2026... because that's what it takes to get through today's 162 game season. But I hope he gets ahold of at least one 2nd or 3rd starter type on a multi-year contract. I'd be happy with Suarez, or Valdes, or King, or Imai... We all have our preferences... I'd like at least one high-level starter though...

He'll have just as fair a shot at opening day as anyone else not named Skubal. I wouldn't bet my life savings on him... He'll just be an interesting story to follow in spring training. And... Somehow, some way... If he's blowing the doors off in ST... Well... Let's just see what happens. I wouldn't recommend holding breath... Although stranger things have happened...

That's easy. Sign Bregman, sign Tucker, sign Imai. McGonigle makes opening day SS. And we are EASILY a better team than they were last year.

I can easily see a big trade helping the Tigers this year. I'm not saying the same impact as having Skubal... Nor that every guy they get in return... But a couple guys who just broke into MLB or are in AA or AAA and ready to break through... Can help the Tigers. Whether they are top 100 guys or close to it... I think Harris will demand that.

Buster Olney says Tigers are listening to Skubal offers. Not shutting talks down at this point. At any point they can do that, shut down the talks and say "we're keeping him". But they haven't done so yet. I'm still on the Sign him to an extension OR get a Godfather offer. Olney says the Tigers' asking price is very, very high at this point. To be continued...

For some reason... I've always been extremely attracted to petite, beautiful women. Not married ones that is. But my Ex is 5' 2". Now if I could only talk Eva Longoria into a date...

I would kill for 5' 10" All my family is there or better. But alas... I think I got all the brains instead of height and... Well, I'll just have to live with that...

I'd turn Glasnow into our closer. And ask for one more high-end prospect.

Please. I mean... that's not what I actually want to say.... What I REALLY want to say is: OMI****ING GOSH!!! QUIT ****ING AROUND and get COSSA up here NOW!!! But... Yeah... Please.

You know... There ARE roster limits in MLB... Even in L.A.

Here is the end of Democracy... Right there. Trump will turn ICE into his brown shirts and overthrow our Constitution.

I think Harris should tell those guys: We want ALL 3 of you... and we'll add whatever necessary to help with the transition...

Munetaka Murikami - draft pick cost: 0. Posting and contract money only on a RH'd 3B (can also play 1B and maybe OF) from the Japanese leagues. 26 y.o. next year, has a high hit tool and patience with good power... but ... converting from Japan to USA? Career .275 BA in Japan, .395 OBP, .550 SP%. Could be a good 3-4 year bet rather than going HIGH years HIGH dollars with Boras/ Bregman. Can start at 3B at least beginning 2026... Tigers can adjust as needed. I would prefer Bregman as a "known commodity". But if Harris could swing a signing of both Murikami and Imai...? I'd give him MAJOR PROPS for that. Speaking of which... Tatsuya Imai - draft pick cost: 0. Posting and contract money only on a RH'd pitcher from the Japanese leagues 28 y.o. next year, had a 1.62 ERA last year in Japan, 164 inn's, 101 hits, 45 BB's 178 K's. Would probably slot in as a #2 or 3 ahead of, or behind, Flaherty. Getting the two of them together may "ease the pain" of transitioning to the US as they'd be doing it together on the same team. That's the only thing I got... Maybe bring Maeda back as a team ambassador/ translator/ coach/ advisor...? Would that help? I say Tucker. And trade Kerry Carpenter. Unless there's a CF'er that's as good an option as Tucker? Or Tucker-lite that's less expensive? But I don't see one so... Tucker? Or... how about a trifecta? Add in Kazuma Okamoto who can play 1B/3B/OF and let Hinch have some fun!!! Turns 30 next year at end of June but.. no draft pick cost, fits high hit/ patience tool that Harris wants... RP's...? Finnegan plus Diaz/ Suarez/ Fairbanks/ Keller...? Whoever Hinch can wrangle?

I'd rather have Imai.

Looking good there Rob...

And they are HITTING a lot better this game than the last one. Very physical, using their size for physicality... Leading 4-2 with a minute to go in the 2nd... Must. Do. Always.

It's on nights like these that I want Bob Probert on this team.

This should have started several months ago... IMO.

You can do that if EVERY player is available... But they're not. There are one or two FA position players who are great fits for Detroit and specifically Harris's hitting profile. Therefore, forget your "attack the weakest link" theory... Just get a player or two who add the most to the Tigers and move the rest of the existing roster around to fit. IMO.