HeyAbbott

I would not sign Skubal. It locks in too much risk. We were one bat shy last year, and unless Veirling and the various outfield pieces prove to be healthy, we will likely be a bat shy this year.

Reading over this thread, I have to place myself as some kind of a pragmatist. I give Harris good overall grades. I believe he is reminiscent of a financial sort of guy mostly, not a riverboat gambler like Dombroski or Mike I. I think that Skubal is here for a year, and if one looks at his long term injury and surgery history, I'd place him at an even bet to require another arm surgery by '28, although no one knows for sure. I will accept the premise that we have a pitching shortfall,but, I am still convinced we are one bat in the lineup shy for 2026. I don't think Harris ever expected the Tigers to be a playoff team 2 years in a row, and he has not adjusted his thinking for the facts on the ground. There are other things brewing in the background that might be creating a perception of undue risk to an overly risk adverse chap like Harris.

I don't have much argument except I think the lineup is one bat shy. Maybe it is found in-house. Maybe it's not. I am looking forward to the '26 season. As far as Skubal is concerned, I think it is wiser to focus solely on his 2026 contributions.

Skubal plays here in '26, walks in '27. It is as simple as that. The only thing that bugs me about this is the Tigers, knowing this, haven't got one more bat to make a better playoff run likely.

Well, I can take the rhymes with Rocco for granite, of quartz.

It's looking a lot like a clearance sale of week old bread at a local mom and pop bakery. I do not see much in quality.

Well, It looks like another exciting Harris styled off season. This year has had all the excitement of the breath-taking, non-stop action, of a paint drying tournament , white semi-gloss division. I do think there has been one thing said in this thread that makes sense. Given that the Tigers have not resigned Skubal, and the pitching looks might suspect for '27 and beyond, why would someone want to commit long term and sign here when the team can't go all in on its best player, and one of the best in the game? If you're a player and want a ring, why come here when you can go elsewhere, have a better chance at winning all, while being in a bigger market with better weather, and a more committed ownership? I suddenly have the feeling that every passing cloud contains a cast iron anvil with my name on it.

I think that I am perfectly OK with an impact infielder FA coming to Detroit, If not Bregman, then somebody else. The infields contribution to wins has mildly improved with a hernia-repaired Torres and the departure of Ibanez. If they sign Bregman, will we see less of Sweeney? That would be my hope. We need a replacement OF as the overall health of our outfield may be less than what is required. Let Clark mellow like fine scotch in Toledo. I also think the pitching in the minors is somewhat thin, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Olson go under the knife this year, possibly before the ASB. Jobe or Madden will not be available replacements more than likely either IMO. We need a starting pitcher. We need a bullpen arm or 2. We need an outfielder. We need Bregman. for the IF.

I agree. That's why Manfred will adopt it.

Any scenario going forward has risk. If Skubal is traded for a horde of players, most of the time, the team getting the one star wins the trade. We could sign him for 6 years and 480 million dollars and he could blow his arm out falling after stepping on a piece of leggo at home, trying to break his fall. Remember, he has had 2 significant arm surgeries, there will be a 3rd more than likely. The scenario I like is to keep Skubal, get a 3rd baseman, an outfielder, and another starting infielder, and do it by trading a surplus player or 2 such as Lee, Max Anderson, Brecenio, or Layronzo. Finally, the final scenario is to do little or nothing and standing pat, pinning your hopes on 2027 and beyond. This scenario is the most risk adverse approach, but with very serious risk. This choice is probably more likely than most of us think as the Tigers attendance still is not in the top half of the league, being surpassed by 100 loss Colorado that had one less home date. Any of these methods have risks. Pick your poison Scott.

Way to go Dingler!

I am American and I am rooting for the Jays.

Well. I am a TOF (i.e., Tired Old Fart), and I know no marketer gives a **** what I think.

While not a fan of Benetti's work with the Tigers, I think his college football and basketball work comes across as excellent. I think his national baseball work is of high quality.

The purpose of walk up music is to fill silence that gen Z folks can't tolerate My conjecture has always been that today's experience at the ballgame is designed to keep rock concert goers from walking out after the second pitch .