Scottwood

I think the Tigers are an average to slightly above average team if Mize, Skubal and Manning have quality years. Otherwise, with a more median outcome, they could finish with around the 10th worst record again. I think catcher is a weak spot, the bullpen is potentially as well, and Cabrera is a huge anchor on the lineup that is hard to overcome on a team without the resources of the Dodgers, Yankees, etc. to hide his $30 million contract. If you look at the Zips 2024 projections, the Tigers would be projected to make the playoffs that year (granted, that is a crazy long way away). The additional playoff team helps too. Plus, Cabrera will be gone that year and they'll be able to gain 3 or 4 wins or so just by replacing him in the lineup with a good bat in FA. So, that's kind of my timeline. 2024-2026 should be really fun barring injuries and poor player development wrecking everything.

I think Wentz, Faedo, Olson and Rodriguez likely all end up as relievers at some point. Brieske probably has the best shot of the starters in AA ball or higher to stick as a starter.

Baddoo actually is in the best shape of his life. He's built like a safety in the NFL.

Fulmer looked awful. Velocity was way down. He maxed out at 92 MPH; or about 3 MPH down from his typical fastball. Soto's velocity was down too. Until then, there hadn't really been anything alarming from our pitchers in terms of noticeable declines in velocity or stuff. Chafin's velocity is also way down. He only got into the upper 80's and spin rates were down too. Not sure if that was intentional due to the long layoff he had or if it actually is concerning.

Rodriguez has really high spin rates. I can see why they added him to the 40 man roster. He has a lot of potential as a reliever if he doesn't make it as a starter.

The same Tigers scout, Joey Lothrop, found and scouted Beau Brieske (27th round pick) and Wilmer Flores (UDFA).

The Tigers got all their tanking in right in time to get Mize, Tork, Greene and Jobe before the end of the CBA. The lottery would have potentially changed all that. Now, the lottery potentially benefits the Tigers in the immediate future as their tanking days are over.

Posey had an equity stake in Bodyarmor- a drink company that was just acquired by Coca-Cola for $5.6 billion. It sounds like he might have made more from that deal than his total career earnings. Kobe Bryant's estate is getting $400 million from it.

Fangraphs has projections out for Tork and Greene and they look good: https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=ALL&teamid=6

I think the Tigers sign Correa and Verlander. Depending on how the new CBA looks in regards to service time manipulation, Greene and Tork could start on opening day. In terms of attainable goals, maybe a winning record in 2022 and playoffs in 2023. Next year is kind of an odd year because they are definitely trying to win at this point, but they are also going to start two rookies and they will give Manning a long leash too. OTOH, when we were contenders under DD, Manning is the type of guy he probably would have moved for an established player.