1984Echoes

I believe this should be the 15th (tomorrow night) not the 14th (tonight)...

Plus one. As for the second part, I would focus on developing/ obtaining a proper second ball-handler/ distributor to "assist" Cade in that department. I don't believe we necessarily need a forward that fills those duties, although it would be nice... But as you say, then he's a top 10 player and he wouldn't be available to us. So I'd rather split that into two guys... MPJ and a 6th-man PG for example...

This.

He obtained a bunch of ****ty players who were LOSERS, except for Finnegan so... YES. He traded away a bunch of veterans and brought up a bunch off AAA'ers after the trade deadline to muddle through the rest of the 2024 season so... YES.

And looking like a top-8 type player... Which, since Holmes is a little low on draft picks this year... Seems like he would be out of reach. That's why I'm looking at other guys... and feeling more 2nd round Edge if we can't land Faulk... So I'm going to WAG that we go O-Line in the 1st, pass-rusher in the 2nd. Just a guess...

I'm stealing this from the other thread...: I believe Faulk actually has some pass-rush juice. Sort of a Davenport-Lite. he would definitely set the edge in the run game... as well as in a pass rush (setting an outside edge) and may be able to get to the QB 8-ish or so a season. In fact, I would go as far to say that he is the one perfect fit for the Lions (pending the character fit scouting which, to the Lions is as important as talent on the field). But I would also say it looks like he is a top 10, or even 8 prospect this year. It would be very, very difficult for the Lions to trade up to get into the right draft spot for him. IMO. Other DE's that are somewhat similar to look at: Reuben Bain, Jr. (another top-10-ish guy), T.J. Parker (could actually fall to our draft spot...) But at that point (if we are shut out of Bain and Faulk...); I think Offensive Tackle needs jump up to a much higher need than Edge. I'm certain Homes can find similar players to Parker in the 2nd round, in fact, here are a couple: Dani Dennis-Sutton. Zion Young. I think either of these guys would also be the perfect "Lions" fit, or player... Dunno if Holmes will end up agreeing but just wanted to point out some options...

PS: I still think the Tigers should target Kyle Tucker. Fits the "control the strike zone" mold. Better fielding corner OF'er than we have on our roster. Perfect veteran to match up when Clark eventually comes up... Has some power to reach the RF seats (don't need 40-50 HR power IMO, I'll take the .380 OBP and the .960 OPS...). And one of Greene (less likely) or Carpenter (most likely) can be traded for additional pitching. He (KC) of the .290 OBP last year, and .790 OPS and barely average fielding...). Just my 2 cents.

OUCH!!!

If teams are avoiding Valdez... I'd rather sign Valdez to a 3-4 year contract over what else is available. More dominant.

PS: If you add in 4 WAR between Baez/Torres... That's 16-18 WAR from those 6 guys... if we can actually get that... Then I think we're having a good year. Just my 2 cents.

I don't see any improvement from Baez or Torres coming... (EDIT: Actually... I forgot Torres health was subpar the last half of the season so if he stays healthy... maybe he has 1 more additional WAR in him...?) But I think Dingler, Tork, Greene & Keith can definitely put up better numbers (both fielding as well as hitting)... I mean... they could also regress... growth is not always linear... But I think those 4, depending on offseason approach (are they dedicated to improvement?), or recognizing a change in approach is needed (looking at you Greene) and fixing it... or just "young guy still growing/ getting better" (Keith and Dingler) has me optimistic that we could get some growth from these... young guys. Just a WAG: I'm hoping for a bare minimum of 12 WAR from those 4 guys. And REALLY looking for 14 WAR. But maybe that is too far a reach. I don't think those 4 are incapable of providing that performance though...

Mize has no control left as a free agent after this season though... What's the selling point? One year of Mize? It seems like that would be a bit of a hard-sell... even to cash-strapped teams...

Exactly. So I don't think Dan Campbell WANTS to be the playcaller. I think he would be OK with it for just a few games... to make certain "the new guy", or at least, I mean a new guy who is new to actual playcalling... that everyone is on the same/ right page. Just my 2 cents.

Actually... Skubal will NOT be traded... Unless Harris receives an offer that is GREATER than the 1st round comp pick we would receive for losing him as a free agent. Think: Kevin McGonigle. If a team offers less than the equivalent of a 1st round comp pick... then why would Harris even bother with a trade? And sometimes, even if a team is scuffling at the trade deadline... they could go on a bender and make the playoffs anyways (see: 2024). So why would Harris trade Skubal when there's a chance of a season ending win-bender (after the trade deadline) after the trade deadline AND get a 1st round comp pick... when he hasn't received an offer good enough to toss that possibility off to the side? IMO.

I don't think that's the correct theme... I think they are looking for fresh perspective, up and coming ideas or new ideas... etc. Dan may actually call plays if one of those guys were hired by the Lions... But I think it would only be short term... until they (the three of Goff/ new OC/ and DC) were certain they were all on the same page with playcalling, specifically during game situations... Which aren't fully realized (as a new playcaller) until those situations are actually staring him in the face. IMO.

Isn't Queen somewhat similar to Stew...? I might hang onto him too if I were them...

Jake Peetz, Tee Martin and David Blough... Starting to look like a theme.

The problem, as usual, is... Boras.

... to overthrow the Constitution of the United States and our Democracy.

Because the Tigers have now just significantly increased the chances that they lose... IE: If Boras makes the argument that salaries are x % higher than during Price's time, and that Skubal is far superior to Price after winning the last two Cy Youngs... The arbitrator may decide that Skubal is worth a bare minimum of $28 mill or more, and go with Boras's number. If the Tigers had offered $25.5 mill, and Boras $31 mill... the arb may break at +/- midpoint which throws it back to $25.5 instead of the over at $31 mill. I think the Tigers increased their exposure to losing by "low-balling". This is what I fear will happen.

I'm shooting for a 4-team trade: Pistons Brooklyn New Orleans GS Receives Michael Porter, Jr (Nets) - $38.3M '25-26 salary Jonathan Kuminga (GS) - $22.5M '25-26 salary Jaden Ivey (Pistons) - $10.1M '25-26 salary Tobias Harris (Pistons) - $26.6M '25-26 salary Trey Murphy III (NO) - $25.0M '25-26 salary Caris LeVert (Pistons) - $14.1M '25-26 salary Ron Holland II (Pistons) - $8.7M '25-26 salary Brandin Podziemski (GS) - $3.7M '25-26 salary Bobi Klintman (Pistons) - $2.0M '25-26 salary Paul Reed (Pistons) - $5.3M '25-26 salary Draft Picks 2026 Pistons 1st 2026 Pistons 2nd (CHARLOTTE) Received 2027 Brooklyn 2nd (least fav BKN DALL) 2027 Pistons 1st SWAP 2028 Pistons 1st 2027 Pistons 2nd (MILW) 2028 Pistons 2nd (best pick NOT going to Utah) 2029 Pistons 1st SWAP 2030 Pistons 1st Total $ IN: 67,000,000 38,600,000 24,100,000 26,600,000 Total $ OUT: 66,800,000 38,400,000 25,000,000 26,200,000 200,000 200,000 (900,000) 400,000 (100,000) Traded Tobias Harris - $26.6M '25-26 salary Michael Porter, Jr - (38.4)M '25-26 salary Trey Murphy III - $25.0M '25-26 salary Jonathan Kuminga - $22.5M '25-26 salary Caris LeVert - $14.1M '25-26 salary Brandin Podziemski - $3.7M '25-26 salary Jaden Ivey - $10.1M '25-26 salary Ron Holland II - $8.7M '25-26 salary Paul Reed - $5.3M '25-26 salary Bobi Klintman - $2.0M '25-26 salary

Anyone think the Browns could give Schwartz a 2nd shot...?

More of this please. Trade assets to me and nothing more, at this point. Add in Harris and Holland and lots of 1sts... I'd like to think we could add 1 or 2 key guys that make this team better/ more suited to Cade and the other young talent/ 3 & D (or at least top-notch defenders) on this team... with what we should have available to trade...

And only 1 turnover. Great ratio.

He'll be an RFA this summer, same as Duren... But because of the injuries my guess is Ivey will want to sign a short-term (1 or 2 years...) contract to try and rebuild any value that he may or may not have. On that basis, I believe Detroit/ Langdon/ JB will want him resigned to try and grow him to as high a play-level as possible, and then cross that next contract bridge when they get there... Is it more valuable to us to see if Ivey can develop to a much higher level on a cheap 2-year RFA, or to use him as the key player in acquiring TM3? And save all our (late round) 1sts (if we keep him for now) along the way...? I have mixed feelings on that... But I'm leaning towards bringing in another dynamic player or two right now to maximize THIS version of the Pistons...