alex

Interesting on SImanaga, perhaps several teams were scared off with all the 'speculative' amounts that were being thrown around to get him - after the apx YYamamoto deal of 12 years and $325 mil to the LAD. Hindsight is 20/20 but Imanaga at 4 years and $53 mil (or 5 at 80) seems decent enough. I am ok with the JFlaherty deal and we have a little bit depth (though I would still sign another Depth/reclamation type SP). My point is maybe we felt there was not a chance to get Imanaga (to sign with Detroit) and/or the speculative price was going to be too high (yet came in decent) so the Tigers acted on plan B/C. I do not blame them at all, and see the end result as decent enough. We will see who is left standing for the FA musical chairs (pitchers and position players) and maybe an 'opportunistic' chance will show itself as we go deeper into the off season as ST gets closer and closer.

That would not be a wise move IMHO for SF... but... they may do something like this AND more.

I too like the idea. However, Baltimore simply does not seem to want to move any prospects per say. They barely traded last deadline (the did acquire JFlaherty but not for top type prospects.) The O's were a team that could of went deeper into the post season had they had more SP perhaps. If they want to acquire some P sooner or later they will have to move prospects. The thing is they have 'several' INFs and there is no way they are all going to play on the team - so why not us?

Agree with the Rangers, but the FAs are just as important as the 'young core' in this case, IMHO. Yea, seems very little for FA position players right now. Maybe a vet invite to ST that could 'possibly' make the team who could also have a veteran influence ex TKemp, Moose, etc. because putting all of that on MCanha is not fair either and if he hits the IL at some point... Could get another vet SP (close to retirement: Kluber, Mad Baum, etc.). We would be fooling ourselves like the last two years in thinking we have enough depth right now. Even another 'invite' type/reclamation project (ex JRYU, FMontas, Carrasco, etc.). They could also go after SImanaga IF they feel he would be worth it. In other words a gamble to sign him and then our P is then pretty much lined up for a while (including SGL, Madden, Jobe, etc.) and from there focus on position players (starting next year as we see how development unfolds this year). However, I feel Imanaga's price tag has perhaps gotten well over what they had initially thought it might be.

Double agreement 😉 👍

Looks like Andrew Chafin is back!

Agree as well

I do see that point. However, they may be more in to win (division)/compete mode this off season than they were last year at the same time. Another thing to think about is that we can rattle off all the potential SP names we want on the current team (including the minors), we have done so previously - however, the fact is Joey Wentz was second on the team in IP last year with 105. Say it cannot happen again? it already did, Drew Hutchison was second on the team in IP in '22 with the same mount - 105. Will it happen again? I do think they will 'look' into another SP or two seriously. Say, if someone really does fit the team and/or a reclamation project. Injuries are going to happen with all teams, especially SP, it is a fact. That in mind, the Tigers should be well aware by now and prepare accordingly. For the rest of the roster? There could be a trade - possibly. However, I see your point much more accordingly here and they may just wait and see what they have as the youngsters continue to develop. Your 'crystal ball' is usually pretty good 🙂

All IMHO, I think the Tigers have a plan A, B and C. They may very well look at Yamamoto and put together a combination of what they feel comfortable doing and what he feels he desires ex higher AAV or longer term, opt outs, etc. and of course understanding there will be risk. I think they will make some effort here. With said there are going to be a dozen other teams doing the same thing. So the odds are stacked against. It simply may come down to what the player wishes to do - not as much so as to what any team desires, in this particular case. I think they will also look at another SP regardless (and maybe one reclamation, lesser known type). Perhaps a LH SP and here is where Shota Imanaga may be a real interest as well (or Hyun Jin Ryu, Alex Wood, Sean Manaea, JPaxton, etc.). There are quality arms out there this year and hopefully the Tigs can land one more that could potentially give 150IP. As far as getting 2 fifteen million dollar bats instead - hopefully two fellows by the names of Greene & Tork are getting there and right now we have them for less. This year as we all know here is not a good off season to add a FA core bat.

It is a interesting thought. It would have to be a 'Huge' fiscal commitment (and a huge calculated risk) by the Tigers and they would have to think this group would be a part of a core for a while - and then you have to have some luck ex injuries, good performances, etc. However, this type of scenario also means that Detroit would have to outbid many teams for 3 Starting Pitchers (all SP contracts). This may not be realistic at all, yet again, if they feel this group could help them now and later (for several years), and that they are developing positional players - then perhaps it is a viable 'idea.'

You are correct this additional work he is/will put in will not help him with the low and away slider. That will have to come from pitch recognition, and it is already well into his career for that - yet, it did seem at times last year (and more than the year before) he was getting a bit more selective. I do think where it 'may' make a difference is when he simply got beat with FBs or fouled them off the last couple years. A few years ago he may have been more fit and stronger through his body, hence timing and connecting better with pitches. I at least 'hope' that is some of it. Yes, father time is a factor, but Javy really is a gifted athlete and previously he may not have needed to work on things as much. He does seem motivated and of course has pride, so again we hope he can get back for 2-3 seasons close to where he was. If he can, that could really help the team regardless if he plays SS or 2B. From a lighter standpoint, someone has to take on the new role of 'best shape of his life heading to spring' now that Miggy has retired, lol. 😃

Yes, I (and as said I am sure many) appreciate the efforts and insights Edman85 🙂 🙏

Nice find. Explains a bit for sure - and with said that today's players are bigger, stronger and faster (better trained in some respects) - this is also part of that equation perhaps.

Good observation !

They sell hats that look just like this one at 'Lids' - not sure that is the case here, but they are out there 😉

This is very interesting, thinking how 'strong' this division was compared to the others. That is why you play the games instead of simply handing out awards at season end - as Oblong mentioned here earlier. This is also why 'sustainability' to keep a strong team matters. I know many do not like hearing that term/approach - but that is key in giving any good team a chance on a continual basis as it really does seem like a sound approach.

That is good forward thinking. I have heard Hinch allude to something like this towards season's end. I do think they will sign 1 SP type if ERod opts in and 2 if not... The brass has to be well aware that you need multiple SPs (well beyond 6-7) to get through a season. Then a lot of luck needs to take place as well. Simply, there are going to be P injuries (all positions actually of course) starting from ST and throughout the season for EVERY team. We should all perhaps know this by now.

FWIW, I was 'OK' with Shep. Of course with things like this and sooo many others, there is no pleasing everyone. Agree with Oblong, that a Mario re-hire may be more complicated. Hopefully we will find the next 'personality' that will fit the role and do well for most of the Tiger fan base ⚾ 🎙️

That is a good thing (IMHO)! Perhaps some of the rule changes had an effect as well: https://www.sportico.com/leagues/baseball/2023/mlb-attendance-fans-pitch-clock-1234740900/

Agreed. Even if 'not' last post here - Thank You 🙏 and kudos to LongLiveMaroth (and others) for the consistent data posted here to help the forum stay in tune with the Tigs minor league affiliates and their doings! 😀

Yes, all good observations including ...missed some time with injuries of course... This is also another reason why it is not really conclusive for anyone to think just because a player is not 25 and under they do not fit on a 'winning' team or in their plans. Sure, they may not be a 'core player', but heck a core player could even be a 27-30 year old (prime for most). This is why you take extended looks at the Vierling's, Maton's, Nevin's, etc. Players also progress, change and hit their stride at different times. This is also why teams (including winning teams) bring in veteran players, especially those who have 'won' before as they can help in several ways (aka JHayward). Actually a team filled with all players 25 and under is going to be a minor league team.

All observations IMHO 'Spot on' - especially the last sentence in regards to 'most' everyday players these days (unfortunately) 👍 .

Yes, agree with most all of this. Heck, I remember the Oakland A's one year went into the post season during the mid 1970s with only eight pitchers and won it all. Of course back then there was only one playoff round and the WS. I had not thought much about a/the more deadened ball - but that makes sense as well.

Yes, there is all the revenue, etc. that goes into this thinking to keep rosters at 26 (which BTW way recently expanded from 25)... but in time it will change. It may take 5-10 years but as we learn more about physiology and related topics science will see that a peak conditioned athlete (and the players today are as such as compared to 20, 30+ years ago... and always exceptions mind you) simply will need more time off to recover from the max efforts they give in practice, pre-game, games, not too mention even off-season training, etc. Fans are not going to want to 'pay' to see a team in a series if their favorite players are injured ex MTrout and Ohtani for LAA. The players simply need extra rest. As they get older it becomes more prevalent. I have heard AJ talk about some of this. The team trainers are learning more and more about it. This may simply mean playing maybe 5 days a week instead of 6 or 7. Having two days off in a row. This would help. The mounting injuries are the proof of this. A peak conditioned athlete, less body fat, more muscle, more fast & slow twitch muscle fiber explosion, more trauma when diving on plays, HBP, etc. not to mention the sport specific training is overall very taxing to the system (especially ligament and tendon where are knowledge hopefully sooner or later will gain insight. We do know a bit about muscle though). Rest and nutrition is of utmost importance.

Remember he also traded another part of the past time big 3 rotation (Fulmer, 'Norris' & Boyd) for ROlson as well 😉.