kdog

In the Harris/Ilitch team building model, they need a constant stream of players coming up from the minors...think Cleveland, Milwaukee, Tampa. But what happens if there is a gap in player development or if a top draft pick falters? How do you fix the holes on your roster if free agency isn't on the table? (Free agency is imperfect...you are often overpaying for bums who are past their prime)

I read a brewers blog...the only true starting pitcher available this weekend is Peralta..the other two games are going to be openers and bullpen games.

Good post.

I hope you're right. I'm tired of restarting the cycle.

Not crazy...but will he hold onto Flaherty and other guys if they are still in this position a month from now?

The replacement level on Tork isn't as high for 2B, SS, and 3B. You need decent numbers from that position.

I would love to see it. We don't know yet if Harris is ready to take risks and make baseball trades. I don't think they are going to be adding veterans on long term contracts. Petzold's take was that Harris is going to point to the McGonigle, Briceno, and Clark wave as the next stage of contention. It might be guess work but I don't see a path of making this team good unless he is ready to multiple major league hitters to the team.

I'm arguing that Tork isn't necessarily part of your core even if he recovers in Toledo.

I wonder if Harris has to restart the rebuild. Petzold mentioned that with this season heading nowhere and the huge hitting needs, will he now retrench and point to 2026 and 2027? If a healthy Riley Greene is a good to very good player, he likely needs more offensive help. Even if Tork returns to mediocre numbers, he can't be a guy you can count on in 2025. Skubal is only under control through 2026...and he's an older young pitcher. So we might have to face some grim realities if this team isn't a true contender..and if Harris can't find a path to contention within his self imposed low risk and payroll restrictions.

Even if that happens, you cannot count on him being your only 1B option in 2025.

I have heard the discourse about moving Keith to first and Jung back to second. It sounds intriguing..all contingent on both guys hitting.

I forgot about Lange. He will be called up if a bullpen arm is failing. Wentz is out of options so you will likely lose him if he gets exposed IMO.

Ahh yes, the vintage Jose Urena slider.

Scott Harris is known to rush up prospects to save a mediocre team :).

The answer is the guy who they called up when Faedo went on the IL. The next man up is not as good as Englert.

I don't care if Wentz gets bombed...in fact I would prefer that to these walks.

Good exit velocity from JHM on an inner cut 98 mph fastball.

The GM has soft pedaled 'contention' every time he speaks on the record. It shouldn't be that shocking at this point. This is a year for evaluation, not competing.

Looks like Canha is headed to IL with a hip injury. Brutal to lose two functional hitters within 3 days.

One of the most impressive wins of the year. They did not let the early dominance of Pivetta carry over the 2nd time through the lineup.

He's decent...the Tigers without Carpenter are horrific.