alex

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!

He is a decent player. He had shown flashes before, but like many injuries prop up. He had pedigree as a prospect - so this may not be a mirage at all. Two years should be doable (IF the price is right). After all, we can say we have Rogers and Dingler - but one injury and it is back to the scrap pile. I prefer all 3 and then/when something happens we are still in decent shape. The C position for us has 'not' really been a problem (It has been for many teams). Maybe it is best to keep it that way in the 'D'.

Agreed. I would be for signing both/either as well (ex 2 years). The players should know what they are seeking and understand the market now. IMHO, the days of signing SPs to 4-5 year deals are 'mostly' over (there will be a few exceptions) especially if there is a history of injuries. We may have to do a prospect for prospect type deal really at some point. We have several second basemen (Jung, Kieth, Lee) and many pundits feel eventually McGonigle will end up there. Find out who could use someone like Jung... We could use maybe a more true 3B perhaps? someone who is blocked ex BBatty of NYM or MVargas of LAD, etc.. What do those teams need and maybe see if something can be done. Maybe 1-2 of our prospects and someone from our current team if that team is competing this year. The Tiger FO needs to get 'creative'.

I had talked to a couple other folks and they DO remember him saying in passing to someone, or even aloud, he would pass on any other selection (where he was not voted in) to play in the game because of injury/rest needed.

Agreed. Yet, this is where this FO has to have the ability to negotiate a deal for someone they like. You can have CKelly in the deal, but add a RP, a prospect or two and get a player you do like. Same goes with Flaherty. ID a player from the organization who is interested in our player (ex a young player who is blocked or one has a contract they may wish to move to give another a chance, etc.). Add to the player they are interested in 1-2 of our prospects (no NOT top 5) and create a package deal. Can this FO do this??? Also, as said before, this 'control the zone' approach, though good to take a course or two and emphasize it - simply is NOT for every player. We still lead the league in taking first pitch middle-middle strikes. IMHO, if we use this for every player we try to get (draft, trade, FA, etc.) we are limiting our chances at success. There are many good players now and throughout history who did/do not have REAL strong BB to K rates. I am not saying go after 'wild swingers' per say - nor to not consider this, just do not limit yourself. We are not a strong offensive club. Draft and development is key. However, this FO has to be able to make some deals (not Dombrowski driving it either, IMHO, he did so with the two Philly trades). There are some FA positional players available this off season - with said they have to realize also this is not a strong FA destiny for positional players just the same. Go Tigs !

Did Gibby at one (or two times) simply state he was not interested in being 'selected' to the ASG if not voted in? I am not sure factual but I seem to remember it had nothing to do with the honor as much as he wanted/really needed a break at the time.

That is the same team as now. Every team this day and age has 25% turnover or there about from year to year. I do not even think Chis I will be for NOT adding a bit to the club. ex a few changes. He is hearing/feeling it as well. Mr Drummond would approve 😄

Agreed. IMHO, IF Flaherty is healthy and pitching decent, a contending team or two will try to make a deal for him (BTW, I am for bringing him back in the off season if he does not land a huge contract elsewhere). * So, if a team or two or more are interested, here is where this FO can show it's chops. Package a prospect or two with Flaherty (or CKelly, etc. again NOT Top 5) and get a guy (or two) that you really like. Someone who can be part of a 'core' that SHarris always refers to. However, IMHO, that idea of 'a core', does not hold as much salt as before (there is some sense there but not to bank on). The game has changed. The league finds things out way more than before about players. Too many injuries, players have bad years or regress, etc. Just look at the Tigers from last year to this year. Will we win 78 games this year? Will we go 40-37 the rest of the way? (I do hope so, but...) They need to acquire more talented players and quit going/claiming after muddling INFs who seem to work the count or RPs that are often let go by other teams multiple times. The second paragraph is key to this trade deadline *.

That itself tells you quite a bit.

Good to hear. Thanks.

Just saying, 'IF' this something like the Tigers might seek, this is where adding a prospect (again NOT top 5) might help out.

Yeah, they may not want to trade him at all. Yet, one year ago the same could of been said of Tork - who had perhaps just as high value (or more) recently. IMHO, you are not getting Peraza off waivers anytime soon. He was a Top 100 (pipeline) for two years ('22 & '23). He just turned 24, has had injuries this year and is a SS (who is blocked and others are in the NYY system as well). He has had barely 200 ABs in the majors. Besides, if he hit waivers, there are teams in front of us that would snag him in a NY second.

Yes, I had thought of it before, the NYY and Tigers 'seem' to lineup a little in terms of needs. Thinking combo's from Detroit: JFlaherty, Tork, JJung and maybe another 'not' Top 5 prospect for OF JDominguez and SS OPeraza or Lombard Jr. and a young SP. NYY gets: a SP for this years run, a future 1B (perhaps now, Rizzo on IL and not performing well so far before) and maybe they are good with Tork and less pressure on him in that lineup and a future LHB power bat 2B in Jung (Torres, bad year so far is FA after this year). Detroit gets: A future SH power hitting OF. Yes, many may think he is untouchable - but we did so last year with Tork. A highly touted young athletic SS/INF. Lombard Jr is that now and Peraza has been a top 100 the last couple years. NY may lose a bit advantage in negotiating with Soto - but in the end they would still be the favorites to sign him. They also like Verdugo (another FA but likes it there) and have other OF prospects. NY is SS heavy with prospects and we are 2B heavy. There is some sense here... at least enough to 'dream it up', lol.

1) I agree he has made a couple. Yet, I bet Dombrowski was the driving force with the two Philadelphia deals. DD ID players he wanted. We then picked out what could possibly work. I am hoping Harris can do this when the time comes for us. IMHO, you do not have to be in a 'win' now mode to make a trade for a good player. 2) I agree with both observations you made about what this can mean. However, is the 'control the zone' approach hurting some of our hitters by taking too many middle-middle first pitches? I saw Philly swinging often and early in this series. It had been mentioned by CPena, Gibby, Cmo, etc. The stats showed it as of one month ago. We may be letting too many good first pitch middle-middle pitches go by. Controlling the zone should not mean taking 'good' first pitches to hit. BTW, I am not thinking you are saying that and experience does help. I will ask does this 'philosophy' eliminate certain players from being targets that we could acquire? Would we even look at a very good hitter who does not walk a lot but has the ability to drive the ball and drive in runs? History has many good players like this. 3) We all have egos, the other guy's guys suck - that is one opinion. Greene, Skubal, Keith, Perez, Jung, Tork, Dingler, Olson, etc. all the other guy's - guys. I would not give up on them... They preach patience - well that includes this group also. The control the zone group that Harris has added includes: Maton, Solak, McKinstry, Nevin, Kennedy, Vilade, Rizzo, Sands, etc. - not exactly the previous group. Yes, there is roster churn, all teams have it... Point is can this FO identify a guy and go trade for him? Not a waiver wire claim or we have so and so available at the deadline and we get a list from another team. ID a 'guy'. Add a prospect or two to sweeten the trade pot (does not have to be a Top 5 per say) and get a 'guy' who might become a 'core' player. This FO hopefully can do this. Yes, draft and develop is first and foremost but deals will need to be made as well. Again, all good with the improvements: scouting, player development, fitness/nutrition/rest/psychology, international attempts, facility upgrades, etc. - all good.

I agree. I also should mention I do like the re-direction/upgrades in: Scouting, analytics, fitness and nutrition awareness, to identify 'rest' and when it may be needed, taking a look at the psychology of it all, the facility upgrades and international efforts and more. It is a lot of work, fiscals and efforts by many to update and upgrade and entire organization. Hopefully they remain open to keeping in touch with their fans as well. Remember, most fans are casual and go with the flow. Many of us here are long time and diehards. A small percentage - but an important one. Yet, may we not forget to be casual at times with it. Just enjoy the game (s). It is entertainment, lest not forget 😉

All IMHO. A good interview. SHarris is passionate about his job. He is intelligent. I never doubted these things. We all learn/remember as we go along in any profession. Three things for me I am concerned with: 1) is he and this FO , are they, able to 'negotiate' trades. AA was not (but some strength in other areas). DD was/is. Heck, he even put together 3 team deals (he may be less adapt in another area). There is a knack for this process. I remember during his first off season during his interview at the Winter Meetings on MLB Network, Harris said 'something' to the effect that he 'was working on 10 trades.' He of course was half joking and did chuckle while saying that - but I think he also serious and further realized that they just do not happen (shortly after he acquired JHM). He admitted that it was very hard to make trades. 2) The 'control the zone approach'. Again, I do agree here. Some will be better than others at this. I feel most any player should take a good course on this so to speak. Yet, again it is not for each player all the time. This team has taken to many first pitch middle-middle FBs. Then we are in the hole. We have seen this. This total approach is not for every player and maybe we will see an adjustment. I also feel if you are drafting, trading and/or signing FAs based only on this - you will be tying your hands (so to speak) and perhaps missing out on a quality player that can help. 3) I get the 'develop a core' idea. Maybe he wants 'his' guys (some ego here if that is the case) - but if an opportunity presents itself, example this off seasons FAs, and there is a player that might help for a period of time (whether 1 to multi years) and we have a chance to sign said player, they need to look at him. As I have mentioned before, the 'right' FAs/Trades do not just wait until a team has a young core in place. They just do not magically appear and come to you. If he/the FO feels there is a chance to acquire talent at a position of need I would be hopeful they try to act on it. This is where projection takes place. With said I am not big on multi year deals (ex 3+ years), especially for SPs. I like Harris' SP approach and feel more GMs/CEOs are changing their minds about this. P is sooo volatile and injuries often a part of this. I think the shorter AAV is becoming more the way to go. There is a lot of just plain old luck involved with this. Yet, opportunity favors the prepared. Simply - there is a lot to this. We here know this. Yet, we are fans. SHarris said he also is a fan. He says he has to separate that part of himself and be professional - I agree and commend. However, we are on multiple years of 'looking to be relevant' again. He is not. IMHO, we have to continue to be patient and he/the FO have to be opportunistic, learn the 'art of negotiating' and not be overly restrictive in their own beliefs (this helps one grow). Go Tigs !

Yes, he did. That and also a very good starting rotation to go with it.

That can not be underestimated 🤔

Agreed... They have to be close or have seen some time already in the big leagues. I do not buy it 'entirely' that those types are not there. This is where all that 'improved analytics & scouting' comes in. It should not take our current group another year or two to evaluate potential targets. They have been on the job for awhile now and most have pedigree from other organizations before that.

👍

All interesting and no doubt speculative - and yet... KPrada was thought of quite highly during 2023. On pipeline he was #3 NYM listed and #36 in the Top 100. Looks like he has some power and hit ability. However not much speed (he is a Catcher) and 'so-so' defense. Not good for Comerica Park. I think if the Tigs trade Flaherty (I think they will seriously look at this) IMHO, much depends on: 1) he continues to P well and 2) just important - remains healthy, I feel they should create a package, add 1-2 prospects (no not of their Top 5) and/or another player - and shoot for a 'good' young player(s) of position(s) of need that is/are also athletic. I have said this many times. The FO has to have the ability to negotiate deals. SHarris and JGreenberg, etc. they need to show this knack. It is not something that all GMs have. If we continue to get rentals (not a bad idea especially w SP), this ability can really help us. SHarris got a good return it seems for Lorenzen. Yet, he has now made a couple deals with DD from Philly. I would like to see this expanded because something tells me DD may of been the 'driver' both times. He needs to use his imagination. I felt JD Davis could of helped us. He was out there last week. Many say just let the kids play - we are doing that regardless. Davis is not that old, has legit power, but only so-so defense. I like Gio on defense - but he has very little power esp at Comerica. I felt that if Tork was staying at AAA for awhile, then Davis could have been a fit. Oddly (maybe not) the NYY got Davis yesterday. No doubt the injuries to Stanton and Rizzo played a role here - but two things I am curious to see 1) how he does in the pinstripes and if he is not good enough for us (ex does not move the needle) then how is it NY, best league record, went out and got him? Some imagination, on a potential 'crazy' deal. How about Flaherty and Tork and a prospect to NY for OF JDominguez and SS/Inf OPeraza? We get two highly regarded young athletic players for positions of need. We can sign a 1B this off season. The Yanks get a SP for the run and a young 1B for their future and a decent (NOT Top 5 prospect as well and/or a bullpen arm). NY has a young shortstop in Volpe and OF prospects are decent in their system and no doubt they are a favorite to resign Soto. Verdugo likes it there as well - so he may re-sign. They can save $ with a young 1B and use towards their FAs. I feel Tork should come around (possibly here or another team). I do not buy he has no value in trade. Some may say 'no way they trade Dominguez' - yet, Tork was that last year. All just imagination, color me crazy, that may even make a little sense ; ) Go Tigs!

Agreed. Maybe a bit of a compromise based on innings, then a year is added. ex 2 years and 3rd yr option if x amount of innings. I think GMs are wising up to signing SPs too long. Most of the time this just backfires and teams are left with restricting contracts. Just this past year NSnell and JMontgomery were left out and ultimately got short term deals with higher AAV. They are/were both SBoras clients as well. Maybe they try to extend Flaherty, if they cannot then a trade? A good SP staff may still be the best way to compete. They simply would have to add bats from now til the beginning of next year. Of course as I/we said/know, a good FO is ALWAYS looking to add talent - no matter what time of the year.

Yes, bringing Meadows up and getting Baez back at SS would help the defense. We have been bad there lately and had better results when those two were on the field earlier. Yet, they had Carpenter in the lineup. I would try to get another bat. It does not have to be a 'difference' maker per say (at this time) - but someone more offensive oriented, that can play a position or two than we have. JD Davis was DFA, he can play a little 1B/3B, and if we are NOT bringing up Tork anytime soon they may want to think about someone like that. Some may say a player like Davis could not make it with Oakland. Maybe - Maybe not. He has a track record. He has legit power (something this team needs). Maybe he could get hot. Some may say he is a waste for us, 'play the kids' - Yet, we can still 'play the kids' as well. I would be curious if a team with a better record acquires him, especially a contender. IF that turns out to be the case, then somebody else thinks he may be able to help them! I would stop playing everybody everywhere so often. I cannot quantify it with data - but it cannot be a good thing and basically tells you we have few 'starting' types. Yet, most here know that. I wonder is this ALL on the players we have or is AJ sometimes 'overdoing' this? We can strengthen the defense. We should try add some kind of offense. SHarris has to think outside the 'control the zone' box for some players - or this FO will be hurting themselves not only now but in the future. That approach will not work for every player. I do agree with that idea and teaching it to some extent. I like the positive changes made throughout the organization emphasizing that - but sometimes you have to make exceptions. We have decent SP and so-so RP. Just thinking aloud; better defense, another bat or two to go with decent pitching can be (and was for the first 1 1/2 mos.) more entertaining that what we have seen lately. Baseball history is full of surprise runs, implosions, etc. There will unfortunately be injuries. You never know what can happen. As I have asked and mentioned before - can this FO acquire players in trades? This is a time of the year that much trade discussion takes place. Some teams will be moving on from some players (looking to acquire prospects and/or moving a contract) and many other teams will be looking to add to this season's run.