Tenacious D

Sorry, I don’t believe anything about the organization having a bad reputation, but would love to read about it. Certainly didn’t stop Baez or ERod last season. And I don’t believe we lost out on any free agents this offseason—Harris strikes me as being more disciplined than to make 10-13 year offers. Detroit as a market might turn off some people, mostly based on reputation, but I think the franchise is fine. Again, based on the size of contracts being given out, the only one I feel that we missed out was Mitch Haniger. Who knows if we even pursued him?

You keep referencing a bad reputation. What is that based on? They’ve completely made over their front office and coaching over the last couple of years. They’ve shown a willingness to spend—and successfully attract free agents that they targeted. Are you basing this off of our record last season? I think players and agents are more savvy to recognize that the team had some bad luck with injuries.

For all of our sanity I hope that the new Mrs. Harris will let her hubby make a few calls on their honeymoon and fill the hole at 3B.

Please tell me you trashed Shep?!?

I think they would like him at either 3B or 2B. Not sure he has the wheels to cover LF in Comerica, but would probably be Eric Haase-passable, if necessary. Remember that he was a pitcher in HS and supposedly has a very strong arm, which would play at 3B if he can pick it.

yes--I was riffing off the top of my head, but he's a key player who might be counted upon for 2024. I'd add Jobe to the list, too.

anything from Carpenter will be a pleasant surprise--the cynic in me is thinks he'll be a Brennan Boesch-type. You might get a nice half season out of him. Of course, he could also become another J.D. Martinez, who figures it out later, so I guess there is some hope. I'm more excited to see the guys in the minors and who takes a next step. Players in this category for me include Madden, Dylan Smith, Flores, Olsen, Baby Meadows, Wenceel, Pacheco, Jung, Peyton Graham, Crouch, Christian Santana, Campos and the hyphenated-one.

I doubt Harris is making any personnel decisions based on fan sentiment, but it would have been a very bad look if the new administration gave a raise to a player who hit under .220 with an OPS that would be low for a utility infielder, combined with poor defense. You could even say it would be a bit tone deaf with what is currently taking place with the economy and challenges that others are going through.

I was referencing a national TV audience.

I think the Lions offense might help their cause—I believe most fans would like to see higher scoring games (there were a few nationally televised “duds” this season from a scoring standpoint).

In a lost season, where he’s not blocking anyone, I’ll allow it. Hopefully the hyphenated, human walking machine can challenge that at some point in the season. And Schoop can finish the last half of his last season with the Tigers as utility guy.

I’ll give you a radical, in-house solution. Move Schoop to 3B, where his diminishing mobility will likely play better, and give Wenceel Perez a long look in Spring Training for 2B. I don’t think he’d be that overmatched. You’d want to have a veteran utility player as insurance, but if Harris is serious about giving AB’s to our prospects, this would be consistent with that position.

Are there going to that many head coach vacancies in the league? And no other wunderkind assistant coaches on any other teams that would be considered, too?

I’m good with him leaving, regardless of his salary. You bring him back, and you basically have the same lineup as last year, except for C. I would have preferred that Schoop followed him out the door, too.

Someone probably called down to remind them not to blow the #1 overall pick.

Oh, so that’s how that feels.

I don’t think anyone is seriously considering DFA’ing the guy.

If we misread the market, so did Jeimer’s representatives who probably signed too quickly. I still think he got what he deserved and we’ll be OK, even if we go with internal options.

Well, now we’re going to need to do something we haven’t done all day—Score an offensive TD.

Thanks for asking. Curious, too.

Someone check in on TP and make sure there are no sharp objects in his house.

Yes—reminds me of the Backus era. Thought we were past that with this group.

That’s not good

The Ilitch is cheap narrative is lazy and inaccurate. Sitting out this reckless free agency is smart. Did we not learn anything from the Miggy contract? Makes me a bit pissed, though, that Avila didn’t read it better the last few years when teams were being much more conservative with their spending. Harris walked into a tough first offseason where teams are spending like drunken sailors.