alex

It is a real thought. Not sure what the chances actually are. Yet, IMHO, and no doubt many others here - they should go all out and try - IF they think very highly of him. If they give it their best, and no-go, then so be it.

Well put and simple. Unless something unforeseen happens or the team gets a good offer, Tork (and Mize) more than likely will be given fair shots again this upcoming season to be part of the movement forward.

I do agree here. All depends on the cost. Maybe they might feel they could make him better all around. He kinda has not lived up to his billing (then again Tork, Mize, Manning, etc.) I think they will go after someone who they may be able to help - but also make them a better overall team. The bigger FAs just may be a bit too expensive in terms of the salary COMBINED with contract length. Does not seem more than four years is often very wise. Yet, most any team with a mid to upper level total payroll often has a waning vet or two (or three) on board.

Hmm, a rumor out there that Alec Bohm could be available. Maybe he (via trade, of course depends on what you have to give up) and a RGrichuk combo from FA? Not concerned about having too many players for any positions. We should ALL know by now 'depth' is of utmost importance. There will be injuries, etc.

Totally agree. People may not be paying attention to the amount of injuries involving pitching. As DCone said teams are getting wiser in that they need 10 SPs that can go 150 innings between AAA (even some on rehab in AA/A) and the MLB squad. I was glad to hear SHarris say it again - "you can never have enough pitching" at the year end presser. They should get minimum 2 SPs. Maybe 1 more of a sure thing type (which does not exist) and 1 role the dice/rehab type - and I think they know that. This is one reason why MLB teams should give incentives to the Jacob Junis types in the league. All based on total innings and NOT just MLB innings. This strategy might work better for both the players and the teams. All IMHO.

I do think the Tigers will 'think' about it. I personally am not so sure Houston is going to commit long term to another position player I do think the Tigers will 'think' about Bregman. I personally am not even 50% sure Houston is going to committ long term to another position player as they have already with Altuve and Alvarez. They also have Tucker to think about after next season - and he is younger. They only went so far with Correa and Springer as we remember. This same approach may hold true for Alex - if it is going to take 6 yrs Houston, or any team, may balk at it. Maybe 4 years parlayed into something with options might work. Oddly, or not, I remember the interview with Bregman after the Tigers beat the Astros. He was upset but also pretty complimentary towards the Tigers, IMHO. The thing we forget is how important depth is. Jung can help us here as there are always injuries and he could play 2B or 3B (maybe learn 1B). Maybe he is a trade possibility if a team really likes him and that team has a player the Tigers desire. We have some INFs coming through the system: Lee, McGonigle, Rainer, etc. This off season will be a bit different. I do see them going after another veteran SP to line up behind Skubal. Gray from StL has two years left with an option. That may be something the Tigers like and StL may look to deal him. I also like the idea of Buehler.

Who do you think they might go after and who 'would' interest you?

Well put ! Credit to the Tigers team, A.J., Fetters, the developmental staff, the fans, etc. Funny, BAnderson said after the game, paraphrasing 'Many people questioned if Cleveland did enough at the deadline (Boyd, Cobb, Thomas)' Well, look at what we did at the deadline. Baseball can be a funny game. A.J. said it at the presser, we ARE a winning team now. We need to have a good off season, spring and go into next year. Then again they could add to the team, look better on paper and not even get this far next year. Good old luck is always a part of it. I am personally not big on long term deals to FAs. Yet, we will have to spend some funds - to trade for or sign the right guy or two. They had a roster this postseaon of what 26Mil? (off course that is NOT counting Javy, Maeda, Miggy and the players they dealt). SHarris and Greenberg have to see their IS a partial 'core' there now and younger players on the way (Clark, McGonigle, Lazardo, Jobe, etc.). With ownership hopefully they will have a plan to 'add' to what has now been put together. They could even put a trade package together if they 'think' a particular player or two could be acquired to help 'this team' quite a bit. Go Tigs !

Yes, it seemed AA was decent at scouting and a few other things. However, trades and player development along with putting the right people in place for the latter were not really there. I have been on SHarris at times. However, I do see his plan. It is to develop from the foundation up. It makes sense. Player development is of utmost importance and we have lacked here for a long time. AA got some players into the system but Harris and co. are developing several of them. I like Harris' approach on FAs. It does not seem long term deals are often in his thoughts (based on his signings here and at SF). They rarely work out - but there may have to be an exception here and there. He seems to have the right idea with pitching. It is so volatile and short term deals may be more the wave of the future. Heck, higher AAV may be the way to go with many position players as well. I know 3B MChapman just got a larger/longer deal - but IMHO, SF may be regretting this before long. I also think organizations need to get wiser with SPs (maybe some are). DCone has mentioned a few times, each club may need 10 SPs that can give apx 150 +/- innings between MLB and AAA (some at AA perhaps). IMHO, it seems there should perhaps be better pay for the Jacob Junis' of the world. Meaning contracts based on innings at both the MLB and AAA season. This type of SP is all over and they often are starting meaningful games these days. Injuries are more prevalent now than ever before. It is just a fact. Hence, depth is of utmost importance. It 'seems' Harris and co. know this. As for trades? DD was very good at this (yet not every trade works for any GM of course). It seems so far so good. SHarris and JGreenberg will have to rely on scouting but the 'negotiating' part still remains to be seen. IMHO, the Tigers are developing a core at the MLB level with potentials also on the way. Depth is of utmost importance and luck, for every team, is also part of the equation (ex extensive injuries, etc.). If the ownership backing is there - as it would seem it is ex the recent past with ERod, JBaez, etc. signings and the ok to the AMeadows deal, etc. and Harris has mentioned it would be, the sustainability for a competitive team should be in the cards. That is all we can ask for from a fan standpoint. Go Tigers!

Perhaps the 'pitching issues' you are talking about are the 'norm' for this day and age. The outliers are the teams only using 6-7 SPs at this time - if there are any at all. There simply are many injuries. As an example the 2006 Tigers only had 7 SPs of 2 starts or more! Kind of like the back of the Don Wert baseball card (RIP). Back then and well before, even for a decade or two after, the position players played/started 140+ games quite often. This is a different day and game today. Organizational depth is of utmost importance today.

All teams will have a few veteran players. Regardless if they are contending for a title or rebuilding. Detroit will be no different. They could add a position player in his early 30s to play 1B, and utility. There is also the fact that there will be injuries, we should all know this, and depth is of utmost importance.

It seems a bit of frustration with Riley here? We all may have a bit of that - but none more than what Riley himself may have. He tries hard. He is a very good player. Some players are just more likely to get hurt. It is up to management to be aware of this and take some precautions. Meadows not performing, then getting hurt put Greene in CF more often than the team wanted him to be. The LA series, then on turf for days at the AS game, not to mention no break. Then back on turf in the Toronto series right after the NO break (for Greene) ASG period, etc. took a toll. I am not sure how the team manages this. There is a pattern and they have to see it. This is why player development is so critical. Greene should be no. 3 if not 4 on our CF depth chart to start with. ex Meadows, Vierling, Perez (heck even Baddoo)... later Clark. Again, development. The young players have to go with the team for 5-6 years. If some of it is sitting, so be it. Good young talented players, as SHarris said, are the key. Sure LAD, NYY and a couple other teams can spend there way around it, most teams cannot - so developing young players is the key. CF is a 'defense' first position. Even a vet like Marisnik helped us last year ('23). The player does not have to be a 'star' every time. Just good enough for a particular role to help. Management hopefully understand this. Many injuries are simply a fact in MLB. Again, it is becoming a game of attrition and depth and preparation are of utmost importance.

Good data to know, thanks!

Agree depth is hard to find. Maybe it has to be developed as well. Many players have failed to reach a goal of staying off the IL (which more than likely is every player's goal - not just Riley). Following is just a current list, not counting those who were and those who will be, on the IL: https://www.covers.com/sport/baseball/mlb/injuries Of course 'no player wants to sit on the bench or be in the minors waiting'. With said that 'mind set' is very yesterday's thinking. IMHO, today player's needs to be ready for an opportunity - that may be the more wise way of looking at things. The player and agent will/should be aware of what is going on. Every team is going through injuries during today's game. Just looking at the Tigers, did we wish to see 1 or 2 of Vilade, McKinstry, Baddoo, Perez, etc. in the OF on a somewhat regular basis before the season began? Of course not. Here is where SHarris and co. may be ahead in their thinking. Look at the INF. Keith, Jung, Lee, McGonigle, Rainer, Sweeney, etc. They are building from the ground up and with depth and none of the just aforementioned are going anywhere soon unless dealt away. I for one have been on SHarris and co. to put more resources into the MLB team. Yet, I do see a plan. I do think they need to sign 1-2 SPs this off season and some BP pieces (all short term deals). IF the opportunity presents itself to get a position player/bat, then of course - but not at the expense of a long term contract (again, unless a franchise player, that is yesterdays thinking and mistake).

IMHO, that sounds good but is not a reality in today's game. Every team has many injuries. The data/IL stints prove this. Sure there may be an outlier team or two each year - but that is the exception. The key may be to not just have and be dependent on just 3-4 main 'good' players. To add/develop 3-4 more 'good' players (then 6-8 total) AND add decent depth as well after that - then keep it going (again, development is key with an addition perhaps here and there from outside). It is like SPs, you have to have a lot of depth - or else.

Baseball for most all teams is becoming a game/war of attrition. You need a lot of depth. For example anyone 'penciling' in Greene, Carpenter and Meadows next year as your starting OF (or any starting INF, starting staff, etc.) is fooling themselves. Look at the OF at one point over the weekend: Baddoo, Madris and Vilade. The days of penciling in 8 starting position players for 140+ games and 5 SPs for 150-200 IP are long gone. If a team is 'lucky' they may get 3-4 positional players to do that and 1-2 SPs. So much has changed since we could rattle off the starting lineups for the good teams for so many years. I do like that the team is acquiring talented young INFs. Keith, Jung, Lee, McGonigle, Sweeney, Rainer, etc. To be able to move around a bit may help and they are not real distant in age so some overlapping may indeed help us. SHarris and crew seem to perhaps understand that the game is now this way - that would be very wise 🦉 😉

Baseball for most all teams is becoming a game/war of attrition. You need a lot of depth. Anyone 'penciling' in Greene, Carpenter and Meadows next year as your starting OF (or any listed INF, starting staff, etc.) is fooling themselves. This is just the way it is now for most ALL teams. A few may get a little luckier than others. Ideas? Rosters need to be built with depth in mind. Each team with maybe 2 scheduled days off a week. Have 27-28 on a roster. Schedule's of 150 games with doubleheaders included at times. Pay SPs accordingly ex inning totals for MLB and AAA (this way more journeyman types can pitch for teams). The league finally recognized the need for pitch clocks (though I feel after 10 pitches to 1 batter it should be moved to 20-25 seconds between the remaining Ps for the rest of that particular AB). Larger bases and no more blocking them. Less mound visits. No more shifting, etc. - all of this helped. However, there has to be consideration for the athletes themselves and rest & recovery is foremost concern. Right now, there is very little. Most are actually 'over trained/conditioned'. It may take a couple more years of huge IL numbers, but hopefully the sides will better understand this. Sure, teams can hire more physiology majors, trainers, etc. and do studies. The truth is you have to be able to recover - and rest (not playing and practicing extensively) may be the only way. All IMHO.

Health concerns are for 'every' team. That is why depth is so important. GMs need to start thinking different IMHO (some already are). Maybe sign SPs with incentives of 140-150 IPs total for MLB and/or AAA. Just perhaps that is part of thinking of the minor league INF depth that may be occurring ex Lee, McGonigle, Sweeney, Jung, Rainer, etc. to go along with Keith. To have/create the ability to move around 2B, 3B and SS - to some extent. Harris and co. may just be thinking this as they accumulate young talent. The O's seem to be heading in this direction ex Westburg just got hurt and Holliday and Mayo were called up. The game has changed. No longer can teams, fans think, here is our starting lineup and 5 SPs for 150 games. It was this way for a long time. No more the proof is plentiful. The IL stints are growing. All IMHO, the league needs to add 1-2 more players to the roster (27-28). Maybe cut down some games ex to 150 (like that is going to happen anytime soon - but it might in time). Have a few more days off and some actual scheduled double headers. Rest and recovery are of utmost importance. The athletes today are in much greater 'condition' ex less body fat, bigger and faster. Hence, when a player dives unto the ground or crashes into a wall, they are more inclined to get hurt. Why? various reasons, one for example they do not have a cushioned landing with less bodyfat. The muscles are much more developed, we know about muscle training - but we do not know as much about about tendon and ligament strengthening (to equal it). Bones may be more frail because the minerals in the soil this day and age are not equal to the amounts of yesterday. We simply overturn the soil 2-3 times more often. There may be a lot to all the reasons. Studies can only turn in so much data and they are in their infancy. Throw in the weight of the ball, the spinning, torquing, etc. done by Ps today. It all adds up. We are seeing proof of this with all the IL stints. Again, the game has changed as has the human physiology involved. This is factual, the IL stint are proof and for several reasons. There is the business side as well. That may not change anytime soon. However, to better the game and actually see more often the stars of the game, something like this will need to be done. Just like the pitch clock, shifts, not blocking the bases on SB attempts, etc. In time, those in charge will hopefully understand this better and bring the game back to more of what it was with a few more changes. So fans can more often watch the players play and not think about why so many are on the IL.

Yes, I think he also has some clause about finishing games in his contract - which may not be his forte. Also, all these BP games take a toll many in ways. The fact that they had no one really available was part of the problem. Chaffin would of looked nice in that situation ; ) I was hoping they would of claimed CIrvin from Baltimore as he was DFA last week and then sent to the AAA team this weekend. A LH SP at Comerica who has had some moderate success. Could of helped with innings and less BP innings/starts.. Perhaps Fetters and co. could of helped him.This is where I question the FO. A small risk - but potential reward. What was their to lose? could of still gotten all their 'evaluating' in.

I think most GMs are wiser now. Very few SPs (or Ps period) are going to be signed for 5-6 years. Waaaaay too many injuries. Look at DeGrom, Rondon, etc. etc. With said maybe buying out arbitration years might be a possibility for a select few younger types ex TSkubal. I would of course consider JFlaherty again, let him shop and try to get 3+ years. Heck, he has to make it through this season first, then see IF any team 'may' want to risk that length of years. If not, then the Tigers can look at it if he is still available. I think they will spend on some SP. Harris history says this - and even here the last two years (Boyd and Lorenzon for '23 and Maeda and Flaherty for '24) suggests it. You can NEVER have enough SP depth. We (the last two years) are proof of that (and many other teams). It might be time for a GM or two to think outside the box and offer SP journeyman types contracts that are more inclined towards IP incentives for MLB and AAA (combined ex 150 IP), so this way more depth can be created.

Just a wild guess - maybe the whole CMo situation changed a bit of the broadcasting scenario?

Yes. There is no excuse to not at least try, CIrvin (as an example) could pitch some innings. Take a flyer on him (or someone similar), a LH SP at Comerica, maybe Fetters and Co. can help 'make him better'. Maybe do what they did with CKelly last year for someone (pick up later in season), ex have an option for a second year - and pick it up IF they show some promise. Even MLorenzen prior - KC went after him and got him for little. SHarris knows the situation with this teams SP. He cannot be afraid to trade marginal minor league players. He did not do that once at this deadline to perhaps sweeten the pot in any of the deals to potentially get a better prospect in return. I still question his ability to 'negotiate a deal' - hopefully he is gaining some experience there. This BP day stuff is throwing in the towel. The evaluating is effected because morale is down because we are always behind. It is a disservice to the fan base and it is killing the BP arms period. It really seems at times SHarris does not care about the team at the MLB level. The psyche is effected. The injuries for many teams (esp SPs) is obvious. The FO better add SP depth next year. Sure, many thought they had that this year - and look once again. I repeat JWentz and DHutchinson were second on the team in IP respectivly for '23 & '22, both at apx 104 IP each - you would think the FO would learn. THIS FO. No blaming the previous regime here on this. I think an idea across MLB FO's should be to pay better paying contracts to FA journeyman SP types that include innings at AAA (ex the JJunis types of the league). They may be more inclined to sign and this would add depth. It would be a bit of a different approach - but in today's game it may just work and more importantly be needed. This approach should NOT at all hurt the idea of evaluating young talent. It could actually help to not over tax and preserve it.

Everyone being healthy for any team is unrealistic. They have to have alot of depth and hopefully are understanding this - especially when it comes to SP. To have 5 of 8 or 6 of 9 'bullpen games' is terrible and handing opponents wins. It ruins the BP and is no doubt taken a toll on morale. A good SP gives a team an extra boost each game ex Skubal, Flaherty, etc. or as JLeyland used to say - 'Momentum is the next days SP'. I have said this many times, you cannot have Wentz and/or Hutchinson, '23 & '22 respectively (both 104 IP apx ea of the last two years) second on the team in IP by seasons end. A recipe for disaster. Teams need to perhaps approach SP a bit differently and start paying for 150 IP (to journeyman types maybe) regardless if in the Majors or AAA. This would allow for more depth and FA signings. I agree with what David Cone once said, paraphrasing, 'Teams are starting to realize they need literally 10 SP that could possibly pitch 150 innings between MLB and AAA/AA.' Maybe some of that is 'bulk bullpen' or whatever you want to call it. It has become more and more true. Even now this team needs to find another SP (or two) ex CIrvin DFA by Baltimore this week, etc. Someone other than more BP games. They have to be smarter than this. He is a lefty, pitching in Comerica, let him know we can help him!? All rosters have literally 25% turnover from season to season (if not more). The Tigers next year will be no exception. There will be injuries. Add a quality player or two and some depth. We/they all know positions of need and perhaps trade from an excess of good young players at a particular position ex 2B (Jung, Keith, Lee, McGonigle, etc.) and add to a position of need ex 3B.

That makes some sense. I still think OPeraza (SS/Inf), just last year highly touted, would be fine also (so far he is not on the waiver wire ;). Maybe CHampton as he could maybe pitch this year. They could also dig deeper, ask for JDominguez and add JJung+ from our end. We could use a masher and have a lot of 2B types Lee, McGonigle, Keith, etc. already. They might like a young power LHB 2B in that park, GTorres is gone after this year. Though they did just get Jazz. IMHO, this team needs to come up with 1-2 'players' for Jack. Again, we can add in a prospect or two and/or a RP to make a quality acquisition (or two). There are several teams looking for a frontline SP. They are bidding for this. NO excuses.

IMHO, I do not think Flaherty will get 4 years. GMs are wising up on SPs and very few will get long term deals (exception maybe Skubal and even then... ). I would be ok with 2-3 years at higher AAV, but Jack may need to see what is out there first. Even if traded we could try to resign him. I like the BBatty idea (3B NYM) posted by RatkoVarda, as it seems young MVientos has taken hold of that 3B job. However, it may take more than a rental SP. Here is where the FO can show its oats, add in a prospect or two (not named Clark, McGonigle or Jobe). Batty has just as much pedigree as JJung and is more a natural 3B. This 'should' be the type of deal this FO is looking for. Get someone who is blocked, has done well at AAA already and tasted the MLB and possibly could be obtained. Also MVargas, DRushing and APages of LADD, etc. fit the mold. Those type of players are out there; young, blocked with no where to get regular ABs and on a contendeing team that would like to win now (reason looking at Flaherty in the first place). IMHO, forget the player that might be ready by 2027, we are already drafting many of those. If they play their cards right, and stay relatively healthy, with a little luck they can continue to compete this year and even more so next season. Go Tigs!