1984Echoes

Get Duren and Livers up to speed and then push Bey & Stewart to the bench. The bench now goes from a weakness to a strength. Add in Bagley off the bench (or swap with Duren if he's just not ready yet) and that also adds some Offense there...

You and I have different timetables. Let's just leave it at that.

But he still scored?

And we're not there yet. The true potential stars for this team are kids and still going through massive learning curves at this point.

I'm not really worried about Weaver. I'm more thinking along the lines of... Can he pull off a Kevin Garnett trade? Ainge accumulated talent & draft picks and then, in order to move his team forward... traded a boatload of them for Garnett. They never won it all but... got into the Finals a couple of times. If we end up with a roster of talent that doesn't mesh well... Weaver needs to swing that critical trade, whatever it is.... That's why I'm not worried about him just yet... his job first is to accumulate talent, in any way possible. and not everyone (Killian) will make it. Then get the right coach. Then put in the last couple of pieces. Right now, he's still collecting talent and it's way too early to tell how the pieces will grow, will make it, or not, and will mesh. I don't care about this year's record. And possibly not next year's either; however, if we're still struggling, then it's time to kick Casey upstairs. Actually... the sooner the better. So... Casey is the first guy to be on any hot seat, not Weaver. IMO.

Lack of size, lack of athleticism, lack of defense, lack of shooting = unwatchable.

There's always Donny Baseball's bat to bash in a few heads...

Send over the Inglorious Basterds to carve the swastika into Putin's and all his cronies/ FSB/ Wagner Group/ War Criminal soldiers' foreheads....

I believe it was already stated above...: The Lottery for the 2023 Draft order, first 6 picks, should be held at the Winter Meetings this year, in December...

In other words...: NOT a 1st round pick. Which was my point. As opposed to Avila can "only get good players if they are top 10 1st round draft picks."

I'm not shy. At all. Funny... but all the Trumpers around me... family, friends, co-workers... bite their tongues around me. I let them know in no uncertain terms how corrupt, moronic, fascist, lying-out-of-their-asses, Trump and his supporters are. And they know I will pull absolutely no punches whatsoever. I want it that way. I refuse to put up with lying BS. I refuse to put up with shitting all over my democracy or the Constitution of the United States. And I'm not shy about that at all.

I think conservative women will vote conservative, regardless of the cost of groceries... And women outraged by the overturning of Roe will vote Dem, regardless of the cost of groceries. It is Independent men who will backslide.

Absolutely. Of course. I'm motivated. Always have been. And it's not only women's responsibility. It's EVERYONE's responsibility who prefer to live in a democracy versus a fascist state, in a democracy versus a theocracy, in country of freedoms that aren't trampled upon by others, including freedom to vote, freedom to live and not be senselessly gunned down, freedom to make one's own choices about personal health care, personal sexuality, personal marital choices... etc. But what I am talking to is specifically where the swing votes will come from. Sometimes it's from Independents who swing an election one way or the other. Sometimes it's enthusiasm by the base. Sometimes people really harp on the youth vote getting out and voting which is an exceptionally difficult demographic to motivate. Sometimes it is suburban women who are the swing voters. These things ebb and flow each election. Regardless, I have 1,001 reasons to vote straight ticket Dem. And I will absolutely do so. From local councils all the way to the highest position on the ticket up for a vote this cycle. But I'm also being realistic. I believe that in order for Dems to retain the House and Senate... that the women's vote is critical. This cycle. And maybe for the next several. Guys will waver (not me) and say "Oh but the economy." I'll say this again, and I mean it: I am hoping that motivated women outvote the backsliding Independent men that I know are out there.

Only one side cares about that. I'm still hoping motivated women voters outvote the "but the economy" backsliders.

It needs to be DeSantis who is impeached. Talked briefly with a Trumper about 6 months ago at dinner, with multiple other guests at the same table, listening in (a mix with the others)... I think I just made a brief comment like: "Tired of trump shitting all over the constitution..." He wasn't happy, but quickly pivoted... to: "I understand the frustration with Trump. What about anyone else but Trump? How about DeSantis?" Oh, also, the Trumper is my boss, at work... I don't think my "DeSantis is another contemptible fascist that I will never, ever vote for..." was very well received either...

After I obtain a Lakeland, Florida winter home (or nearby) so I can annually watch Tigers Spring Training once I retire... I have two cousins in Colorado... Both are tremendous fun and have a range of politics and interests/ hobbies; and never let their politics transcend their personalities... My first choice for a non-ST home.

We should also hope that: Jake Rogers performs better than Tucker Barnhart circa 2022 Eduardo Rodriguez performs better than Eduardo Rodriguez circa 2022 Javier Baez performs better than Javier Baez circa 2022 Austin Meadows performs better than Austin Meadows circa 2022 Matt Manning performs better than Matt Manning circa 2022 Akil Baddoo performs better than Akil Baddoo circa 2022 Kerry Carpenter is real and not a mirage Does Alex Lange take the next step and take over the Closer position, pushing Soto to set-up? Or is that Joe Jimenez that gets his old job back (if he's worth it)? Miggy plays no more than 40 games and spends the rest of his time on the 60-day IL Dingler and Keith make it to AAA and excel (I'll throw Parker Meadows in here as well...) and show themselves to have a real chance to make it in MLB, perhaps even a September call-up for each... Beau Brieske shows himself to be a competent Major League 4th/ 5th starter, no matter where he's actually pitching... Just a few thoughts... thinking out loud...

PS: I actually wanted to stick this specific line in my prior post and it completely slipped out of my mind (the perfect description of an Al Avila player): "A guy who sticks in your craw."

I was thinking the opposite: Someone who is forgettable well... you sorta don't think about them if you can't even remember them. As opposed to someone that annoys or particularly vexes you (meaning anyone, not specifically "you")... because they hang around for multiple years antagonizing everyone with their mediocrity or less than mediocrity... Niko antagonized Tigers fans for 4 years and almost 1,500 PA's of mediocrity. Willi 4 years of annoying 1,200 PA's... Dawel Lugo was 3 years and 400 PA's of completely abysmal... And all (3) heavily weigh upon our thoughts of how Avila F'd up with his choices; and that these names will never be forgotten for their less-than-mediocre, abysmal performances...

Everyone knows they have a track record... right. Marjorie Taylor-Greene. 'Nuff said.

To be honest... He also needs to be memorable. And I don't even really remember Ronny Rodriguez. When did we sign him? I think the name is weakly, barely familiar... but so barely as to not even register.

Add in...: 4) He waded into politics unnecessarily. Every dim-witted businessman who has a few dollars in his/ her pockets thinks their IQ went up 50 points and they can now solve all the world's problems... He made a good move to send assistance to Ukraine... But that doesn't now mean he has all the answers. Especially when...: 5) He spewed Vladimir Putin talking points, right after speaking to him... WTF? Did he think he was going to get positive responses from Ukraine or the U.S. for regurgitating Putin-speak?

You need to do this by Category: 1) Trade acquisition that Avila was needlessly hyped over, but ended up as nothing but Hot Garbage: Dawel Lugo 2) Worst Starter on the market that Avila somehow felt was worth making a #3 starter. Who was, indeed, the worst starter on the market: Mike Pelfrey 3) Pitcher coming off an arm injury that seemed to be OK but also quite risky with recent underperformance compared to career norms in addition to the injury risk... That Spectacularly Blew Up in Avila's face: Jordan Zimmerman 4) Over-drafted "hitter" that had ZERO hit tool, some power, and a complete inability to field any position: Christin Stewart 5) Over-drafted "hitter" that had ZERO hit tool, some power, with a hit tool so bad no MLB, no ability to get to said power, Mendoza-like even in the MINORS, drafted in the top 2 rounds, and now every no-hit Tigers prospect is now compared to: Rey Rivera. 6) Awesome potential but injuries destroyed any chance to see the guy in MLB, immediately after we just traded our HOF Pitcher Justin Verlander for this key prospect: Franklyn Perez. 7) Below Replacement Level but we held onto him anyways because Avila couldn't find anyone better so he ended up with vastly more playing time as a Tiger than he EVER would have deserved with ANY other team in MLB: 4-way tie between Buck Farmer, Niko Goodrum, Christin Stewart, Harold Castro. (Feel free to expand this list to your heart's delight). Or add as many additional categories... as needed.

This team just looks... sad. Disappointing. Weak. Dysfunctional on offense. And on defense. And... the season hasn't even started yet.

It's pretty sad though, even if he has a "great attitude", that he can't even open up on the 3rd line. Just... sad.