alex

I know they are taking it slow with the vets this spring, but besides Jack's one start has anyone heard anything more with Kahnle, Chafin and Flaherty?

Yes, it seems SHarris & co. need to come up with another MLB type player. As you mentioned Verdugo. WMerrifield is still out there... Maybe a deal, someone like SMarte possibly. Though he is at 20 Mil or so, but they might be willing to pay down quite a bit if we give them a decent prospect (No, not top 10 per say). He could help - RHB, can play decent D still (all 3 OF positions), has some speed, etc. Maybe a waiver claim? Depth is sooo important!

Yea, maybe. I am beginnin to warm to the idea of Starling Marte, he might do well at this park. Decent RHB, good D & speed even at his age. However, that would mean Vierling would be more at 3B and it seems he best serves the team in the OF. It would give the team more depth, another RHB and Jung more time to develop at AAA. I have not heard anything about him in connection to the Tigers, but have heard rumors about the NYM maybe looking to move him.

Hmm, I personally felt Kane had a good rapport with most of the players and Jason Bennetti, along with everyone on the broadcasts. I am sure some fans dislike him as would be with anyone. To me he gave good insights with players, it seemed like he got to know many of them. I liked his card collecting references, food reports, etc. as well. Maybe he is taking on a bigger role with the Pistons? Seems like he should of been with the Tigers in some respect. Just IMHO.

Yes, understood and true. However, I have asked several times - 'Does Harris have the ability/the knack, to acquire MLB talent'? We know he can trade veterans for prospects which he has helped the system with several times. Soon we may find out more about the other way around, prospects for MLB talent to help win in the 'now'.

Yes Harris & co. are in the process of developing a farm system, maybe even more important - an ability to develop players. With said, it was under the Avila watch that they drafted or acquired: Greene, Skubal, Meadows, Rogers, Olsen, Jung, Tork, Mize, etc. - now, would his regime have been able to take several of these players to the next level that most are trending towards? That is another question, and history may lean towards the 'maybe not' side of it.

Most all mid market+ teams have 'some' of this going on. It is the price of business unfortunately.

I think all teams of mid-size payroll+ are going to have 25-40 mil of payroll 'lost' in players per say. Right now we have Javy (though he could still be decent - we at least hope). They added Cobb & Flaherty on 1 yr deals pretty much. In '28 those deals, in addition to Javy's, will not be there. Who will we have on the roster then as 'lost' pay per say. It is not a question of 'if' - just who. Is Bregman, say at 20 or 25 mil to be one of them ? If not there will be someone else if not a couple others at least - if we are/remain a mid range salary club. Again I say Front load the deal as you suggested earlier. If not have Plan B & C in the wings. The Tigers are good 'now'. We have Skubal, we signed Torres, Flaherty, Cobb, etc. obviously the FO is trying to move forward this year. That and of course building the farm system which is IMHO the most important thing, and they are doing just that. Kudos big time for that. FWIW, even Jose Iglesias might help as a 'Plan C'. I know many here would frown on that, say give it to the youngsters. We will have plenty of time for that and are doing just that. Not every position has to be filled with someone under 25, especially since we are a potential playoff team. All good teams have veterans. We could use a decent RH bat who plays well in the INF (3B) regardless if it is a player who is blocked who is young or a vet.

Simply - yes.

It would seem Detroit is not a place for anything short term for sure. Yet, if Bregman's market is not there this year, and he will turn 32 next spring, I do not see him getting 'better' offers even if he has a year more like 2023 (not 2024). Most teams are simply not giving into demands like they used to (see Alonso, Flaherty, etc.) and 'know' how player performances are often lesser with advancing age. If Bregman takes a shorter deal or a deal with opt outs - he will need a very good year to get a longer term value deal afterwards. If he does not perform well, gets hurt, plays say 80, 100 games, etc. he will need the longer term - with opt outs. He and Boras of course have looked at every situation. It would seem Detroit would have to believe he is the guy they want, ex this year, next year, etc. Maybe even keep him in the organization. IMHO, Detroit is 'not' a destination for most hitters. Also, we are not going to outbid anyone for any 'big' FA bats ex Vlad, Tucker, etc. - it is not going to happen (see Soto, Ohtani, etc.) - and I agree with this. Draft and develop. Yet, there will be times we will need a good 'veteran'. Will we always be limited to one year deals to position players (rebounds or prove its)? Just IMHO, Detroit would have to go in with a straight 5-6 yr deal worth 'x' (if it makes him feel better include an opt out or two, maybe FL the deal). Bregman then simply must decide - I am good going to Detroit, ex good salary and long term security, with A.J., can contend now, good farm system to compete in the future, and they given me opt outs, etc. IF Detroit feels he is the right guy, then they have to pony up to a certain extent ex 5 yrs 180, nothing too outrageous (yet, what I just exampled may already be!). Remember Bregman is at least contemplating coming here, his agent is a master at getting every last penny from whatever team - including creating the illusion that more teams are out there and/or getting more teams involved. As many have said I do hope they have a 'Plan B & C'. I do often wonder, why not get a player coming off a down year, that has a track record and is younger ex Bichette with Toronto. Make a deal and sign him believing he is a talent who had an off year. How else can Detroit, without overpaying, get a position player to come here? We now go back to a potential Bregman deal - and further back to Pudge, Magglio, Prince, etc. all overpaying to get a 'star' position player here. Draft and development is key for sure. Yet, we will have to supplement at times (overpaying?) - is this one of those times.

I 'think' in the case of Bregman there are other intangibles. SHarris has repeatedly said he wants to develop the farm system, young talent and of course keep a real pipeline to the MLB club. I think this is the most important thing for the health of the organization. I have also head Harris say several times he likes the influence of veterans (the right veterans) on how they can help with young players. With Bregman, from what we all hear repeatedly, is that he is a leader, good clubhouse influence, etc. With this said, we know Harris brings in vets for 10 mil, 12 mil, etc. with 'one year' contracts (call it rebound looks for some instances) each year (see Canha, Torres, Boyd, Cobb, etc.). IF Bregman is aboard, he may not be a 30 mil guy in year 4 or 5 - but he may also allow Harris to not 'have to bring in that veteran influence' per say for that say 14-15 mil which it will be at that point. If they can get him on a more front loaded (FL) deal, even if it is for 5 years, (say years 1-3 are FL) it could be a win-win for both sides. I agree to stay away from long term deals. I felt no way would Flaherty get 4-5 years from us - but what they did works, and now he is here. 'IF' the Tigers think Bregman is a 'guy/dude' they want for a variety of reasons- then a 5-6 year deal in this particular case may work. I feel (maybe they do as well) he could be an 'organization' type guy. With all that said being plan 'A' - I hope of course they have a Plan 'B & C' as well. They need a RH INF who can help. This also puts Vierling back to the OF most of the time - where he may be best suited.

I like the thinking. I would also say that the Tigers have looked/asked Alex (Boras) about many ideas... something like this may well be one of them. Nothing to not like. Though if Alex, a one year opt out with Detroit may not make too much sense because of the park - and he would be one year older next FA season. An opt out with Boston or Toronto would make more sense. With said any good GM/staff can see what a particular ballpark might do in that regard - and add to the fact that Alex will be one year older.

Agreed. Yet, 'IF' the Stros sign Bregman, we could still deal for Parades. It does not have to be a LH OF, maybe a prospect or two from pitching depth (or lower minor position players/Ps). Then Houston could turn around and sign someone like Verdugo to be a LH OF (they had been rumored to have contact with him earlier this off season). Then all the while adding some prospect depth (from Detroit) to their depleted system. Just ideas... Parades, though not a great glove, could still help at 3B, put Vierling in the OF. Also, Parades is still quite young as well.

Well said. This is 'not' the 1990s anymore for offensive production.

To clarify this - I meant SHarris would not be signing any FA 'pitcher' to a 5 year deal (which I have stated here before - and I agree with that premise on Pitchers). Yes, he may be open to extending Skubal (however again if healthy I do not see that happening with Boras). Flaherty on the other hand maybe 2-3 years with opt outs (he would be a good fit here again, IMHO). Actually, I would not be totally surprised if the Tigers do have a 4-5 year offer in mind with Bregman. The fact is I do not see them signing any younger FA star position player to a longer term deal anytime soon - that and most position players are not that open to coming here (esp RH hitters). Too many other spots that 'most' might seek. I think because of the A.J. connection - Bregman might come here IF the sides can agree on the terms that might work for both parties.

IMHO, there is no way that SHarris will offer a 5 year contract. 'Maybe' a 2-3 year deal with opt outs?... maybe. That simply is not his MO and I agree with it. A possible exception might be Skubal - but if he stays healthy (a big IF) Skubal/Boras would never agree with it.

I would agree Flaherty on the lower years (2-3 at most) and higher AAV, perhaps with an opt out after year 1 and/or 2. He fits well here. We have a chance to win. No question health is always a concern with any longer deal - esp with Ps. SHarris does not really like long term deals with veterans. His history shows this. With said, he is going to have to advocate some deals at some point (even our own players) or it will always be players on the team of under 6 years experience and 'prove it' 1 year veteran deals (rebounds). Does not seem like a recipe to sustainably win in THIS league (yes, Tampa does defy it some). IMHO that cannot work without an exception here and there.

I believe his teammate Rusty Staub did so as well.

A 'win' with Toronto fans, IMHO, is to sign Vlad Jr to an extension. Bregman will get paid by someone, not sure he is on board with going there and already the 'census' is NO Bichette extension (just because of one off year - yet he is still young) and no extension (as of yet) with Vlad Jr. who is only going to get more expensive. I do not think at this point in his career Bregman is a guy to 'build' around. I do think Bregman wants to win while getting paid. Toronto, even with those two were not in a strong/favored position to do so moving forward- in that division. For the Tigers to be the destiny of a rare young star (say 26-28 yr old) FA may not be realistic. That and those types of salaries also may be unrealistic either. Detroit may have only made the playoffs 1 time in the last ten years as you mentioned - but it is the most important year of the last 10 because it was the most recent - hence the indication of where at. That and a 'known' developing farm system is a good thing. IMHO, the Tigers will have to roll the dice now and then on 30+ year old FAs at various times. The question is whom of these type of players are worth taking a chance on for a longer commitment? Bregman may not be worth 6 years. Few FAs are. Yet, he does check many needed boxes: RH bat, middle of lineup if need be for awhile, 3B/decent glove, many intangibles ex played for Hinch, winning history, clubhouse presence, potential organization guy, etc. No question the team is/has weighed all of this. IMHO, they may have an offer out there. Someone like Toronto 'could' offer 200+. The two big questions are: 1) Where does Bregman want to play (Houston appears out and he would not have left that if he did not feel 'another' team he may be comfortable with has interest)? 2) How much does Detroit value him? Another note, sooo much of sports success is health and luck. Yes, you can help put yourself into a more favorable position with both (ex depth and preparation) - but those two things will always have a strong say regarding the end results. Now off to the day and festivities 😊 Best to all and Go Tigs!

I do agree with the three years, but IMHO it would seem so would most teams pursuing him. How much might you max out at for 3 years? 60, 65, 70M total? Maybe even start the salary higher for 2 years and then a bit lower for the third? IF he has a good market, and I would think he does, he will no doubt be able to choose his location. Heck, it may even take a 4th yr if the bidding is strong and that to me is a bit too much.

Agreed. There is risk with any FA player in his early 30's. With said, if you come across a good FA that is in their mid 20's that often means many teams will be in on him and it may take more of the 7-10 deal to get something done. ALL FA players have risk. Most all teams with any kind of payroll have (and know) they will have some payroll that is burdensome at some point. If the Tigers are considered mid market, then they too will have some lost payroll at most times. The thing about Bregman, IF they can get him where it is not outrageous (and SHarris will not go that far nor should he, IMHO) - is that he brings many intangibles with his game as well. He could be like a player-coach all the into his last years. Heck, he could even be an 'organization' type guy as well afterwards. I do think they are really looking at this - but will only go so far.

Just curious, what would you offer Walker?

Something should be happening before to long with Bregman. I just wonder if the Cubs are now involved? Who is their 3B, now and for the future, after this deal?

I agree as well (Someone will pick up Baddoo).

Alex Cobb is on board: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/12/tigers-to-sign-alex-cobb.html