1984Echoes

No. That's why they have Paredes. And I am pretty certain Paredes will make the team out of ST...

And it might put him up in 5-ish WAR territory...

That's a huge plus for us if he's adamant about changing his approach and succeeds in doing so. If he's successful at it, it makes his contract look even better, although much, much more likely he opts out...

Absolutely my bad. I promise never to make the same mistake again. Or I'll eat my Red Wings cap.

I don't see it as a problem with Greene in the 3rd spot as that will be a challenge for him... and we've already seen that Hinch is unafraid to challenge anyone under any circumstances. Put Greene in the 3rd spot all year and it will be his learning curve: how to deal with MLB pitchers AND the pressure of the #3 spot. I mean... I'm not focusing on getting to the playoffs next year. I'm focusing on this team growing together, and all the kids getting better. That's it. If they just miss the playoffs because of rookie mistakes or rookie walls then so be it. If we DO make the playoffs... gravy. And if we actually win some games in the playoffs... icing on the cake. But I want Tork in the #5 spot all season and Greene in the #2 or #3 spot all season so they can learn what it takes to succeed.

Yes.

I think the best defensive OF alignment is Baddoo in LF, Hill in CF, and Greene in RF. You can liberally put Grossman in there to sub for Baddoo (against pretty much all LH'ers), and Hill (against quite a few righties... Greene moves to CF and Grossman takes over RF)... But I would like to see Greene play primarily RF I think.

"Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."

Right... Gun owners.

Seattle Kraken 8-13-1, 3-7-1 AWAY ESPN+ 7:30 PM DET -105 Detroit Red Wings 11-9-3, 7-2-2 HOME I didn't even realize until just now that I had the wrong date on the Bruins game last night... Hah!

WIN!!!

Looks like Ned is saving our bacon again...

Yeah, I think I'm OK with the near future as well. But I want to keep my eye on that... and maybe he gives an upside surprise by changing his free-swinging ways, or at least being a little bit more discerning. If he does that, his value may go up even higher... We'll see what happens.

Zadina!

I am. He is struggling more and more with making contact. Once his contact ability goes too far down, he won't be able to get to his power... And he doesn't take walks. Better hope he changes his approach like he did with the Mets... in a small sample size...

I'm fine with Garneau so I agree with Archie. I think the Tigers tender him a contract. As I said... I think it's Short who might get the short end of the stick. And we can probably add a catcher on a minor league contract (AAA-type) who at least has a good glove. If we have Offense at all our other positions... and it's looking like we now do... we can afford to take less O at that one position, Catcher, on an as needed basis. And then we can sign Short or similar back here again in Spring Training on a minor league deal so I think we are right back to where we were with some fill-in depth. No-bat good glove SS's I think are too easily replaceable to waste a roster spot on... unless the team is completely barren there, which is not the case.

That's right around the time we should be considering giving 10-year contracts to Mize, Manning, Skubal, Tork & Greene. Buy out a few FA years and their remaining arbitration years and they become FA's around 32-ish or so (depending on each guy...). That's also buying each guy's prime years...

That, and natural immunity from catching Covid weakens over time just as much as getting the double or single shot. Get the booster and I think that matches the first part of what I quoted... the combination is just better than one thing alone...

At this point... I think so too. If anyone is treading thin ice I think it's Short, who can be easily replaced by another no-bat, good glove SS that we can pick up off the scrap heap in ST. Maybe even get Short back in camp if he hasn't caught on anywhere... on a minor league deal....

I want McHugh. He can start or relieve, and we can probably get him for 2 years or less. Chas mentioned him above. Keeps runners off the bases...

Which is all we wanted... I mean, not "willing to spend spend spend"... But willing to spend what it takes to build a competitive team that can make the playoffs. Exactly what we all wanted and they are hitting cylinders on all heads this offseason. They're also spending smartly, which is what they said they would do. I'm hugely pleased so far. If anyone remembers... I called it big time in late April or early May when they were in their death throes to start the season and I said "guys, this team is going to get better and we're going to sign big FA's this offseason". Not trying to toot my own horn but... pleased that exactly what we could have all max-hoped for, has pretty much come to pass. Now we just need Greene & Tork to kick everyone's ass next year, and none of our young pitchers to regress in their 2nd or 3rd-ish years....

"If you can't stay on the field..."

I'm good with that. At least they tried....

I want Tork in that 4th spot and everyone else pushed down 1 spot...

Well alrighty then...!!! I guess we are going with Baez. As I said a couple times before... Glad we got one of the top 5 SS solutions... we badly needed a big improvement in that one position. Disappointed that we didn't get one of two guys I liked a whole lot more - Correa and Story - but I can live with this. Baez it is... And yes... I'm still breathing. 😉