2024 - 2025 Detroit Tigers Offseason

[oblong]

Yeah I said all along you don’t necessarily dump Tork but you don’t make or not make any moves you think makes your team better based on him. 

[mtutiger]

I really like this deal, and within the context of Bregman, if they are as interested as reported, I don't know that it changes the state of play much with Keith sliding over to 1B.

I'd be pretty concerned with life if I were Spencer Torkelson tho...

[Nate7474]

9 minutes ago, mtutiger said:

I really like this deal, and within the context of Bregman, if they are as interested as reported, I don't know that it changes the state of play much with Keith sliding over to 1B.

I'd be pretty concerned with life if I were Spencer Torkelson tho...

If he hits for consistent power he has a spot at DH and pinch hitting. If he doesn’t hit he’ll be at Toledo until he does or traded to a team that might think they can fix him. 

[Sports_Freak]

3 hours ago, gehringer_2 said:

Colt is probably a better 2B than Torres at this point so it will be interesting to see what Hinch does with Gleyber. Colt improved a lot in the course of the season. If you look at his errors for instance, he had 12 for the season but only 3 came after July 1 and by the end of the season his DP turns were 1st rate.

Torres has had a high error rate everywhere he plays, and considering how hard it it to get an error in today's game, that's not a good thing.

I've also heard from Yankee fans who are glad he's gone. Fielding errors are one thing but they complain about his mental mistakes (not covering 2nd base) and his base running mistakes. Those don't show up in the box score but could be losing games on occasion. 

[Sports_Freak]

2 hours ago, monkeytargets39 said:

Hard to see where Tork fits in at all going forward.  I can’t imagine Keith gets platooned much.  Maybe Tork is the DH platoon with Carpenter, but I’d almost rather have Malloy or Ibanez be that.

Wonder if Harris can move him on the market for anything worthwhile.  

Tork is one dimensional. He's only expected to hit for power. His base running and defense are below average. He had one job, knock in runs with a power bat. If he's not doing that, he's useless. You're not going to use him as a pinch runner or defensive replacement. Time to move on from him, I wish him luck.

[Tigermojo]

I like the deal less now that Keith is moving to first. I'm sure he would have moved there eventually anyway and his bat will be fine there but maybe not in 2025. Disappointing that he can't play third anymore.

Are we gaining much value next year? More questions added than answers. Can Torres improve? Can Keith play first? Is he ready to provide the power for that position?

I guess I have more confidence in Keith being better at first than Tork. I have less confidence in Torres being better than Keith at second.

Edited December 27, 2024 by Tigermojo

[casimir]

4 hours ago, Tigermojo said:

Ok Harris, how about Kim, Yates and Sasaki next?

None of these should cost much in terms of years and annual salary and draft compensation.

Kim is probably looking at a shorter term deal given his injury recovery.  I would think 2 seasons would work.  He may not be ready for opening day, and that’s fine. Something likely occurs by the time he’s ready to return.  Injury, demotion, trade, something will happen.

Yates fits because he’s an end of game option and won’t command many years either.  Maybe a couple of seasons here as well?  Walks are a smidge high for me, but maybe the pitching brain trust has the salve for that.

Sasaki still seems like a pipe dream.  But, anyone please correct me if I’m wrong, the Tigers are in position to offer him towards the higher end right off of the bat?  Maybe that means he’d take that as a shorter term deal at highest possible in order to build his MLB resume for a higher payoff later?  I don’t know.

I suppose of the trio, Kim and Yates seem most valuable.  While I think signing Sasaki would be great, I think the Tigers have proven they can create some SP value out of a reclaimed arm.

Edited December 27, 2024 by casimir

[Tenacious D]

Pass on Kim.  He’ll miss half of the season and the kids are coming in ‘26.

After listening to Harris’ press conference, I think there is a good chance that Bregman is coming, or they are working on another external option.

And if the speculation that Skubal could get $400M in a few years via free agency is correct, Corbin Burnes looks like a bargain at his $245M rumored asking price.  Go get him.

[casimir]

16 minutes ago, Tigermojo said:

I like the deal less now that Keith is moving to first. I'm sure he would have moved there eventually anyway and his bat will be fine there but maybe not in 2025. Disappointing that he can't play third anymore.

Are we gaining much value next year? More questions added than answers. Can Torres improve? Can Keith play first? Is he ready to provide the power for that position?

I guess I have more confidence in Keith being better at first than Tork. I have less confidence in Torres being better than Keith at second.

It appears 1B is going to be below average at this point in time.  I’m not a fan of Keith at 1B.  But he was a rookie last season and he did have a bit of a good streak in there at one point.

And to oblong’s point, who knows what other moves are in store for the team.  Did anyone think signing Torres to a one year deal was likely or even remotely possible?  There’s plenty of time for trades of some sort.

[Sports_Freak]

53 minutes ago, Tenacious D said:

Pass on Kim.  He’ll miss half of the season and the kids are coming in ‘26.

After listening to Harris’ press conference, I think there is a good chance that Bregman is coming, or they are working on another external option.

And if the speculation that Skubal could get $400M in a few years via free agency is correct, Corbin Burnes looks like a bargain at his $245M rumored asking price.  Go get him.

We have some kid pitchers in MILB who can give us innings for a fraction of that cost . Fans need to remember that this is a business and businesses are in business to....make money.

[RandyMarsh]

59 minutes ago, Tenacious D said:

Pass on Kim.  He’ll miss half of the season and the kids are coming in ‘26.

After listening to Harris’ press conference, I think there is a good chance that Bregman is coming, or they are working on another external option.

And if the speculation that Skubal could get $400M in a few years via free agency is correct, Corbin Burnes looks like a bargain at his $245M rumored asking price.  Go get him.

Burnes scares me, he gives me Zimmermann vibes. Not that I expect him to be as bad as Jordan was here but I mean there are some underlining things that question whether he is due to a decline just like I had with Zimm when we signed him.

For me the issue with Burnes that scares me is his swing and miss rate, both are down over 10% from just a couple years ago. They still aren't bad or anything but that type of drop is concerning to me when you are now on the wrong side of 30. 

 

Edited December 27, 2024 by RandyMarsh

[Tenacious D]

29 minutes ago, RandyMarsh said:

Burnes scares me, he gives me Zimmermann vibes. Not that I expect him to be as bad as Jordan was here but I mean there are some underlining things that question whether he is due to a decline just like I had with Zimm when we signed him.

For me the issue with Burnes that scares me is his swing and miss rate, both are down over 10% from just a couple years ago. They still aren't bad or anything but that type of drop is concerning to me when you are now on the wrong side of 30. 

 

That’s fair.  Might be a similar case with Skubal in two seasons when he reaches the same age.

I was going by the eye test—he was the best pitcher we faced last season, in my opinion.

[Tenacious D]

35 minutes ago, Sports_Freak said:

We have some kid pitchers in MILB who can give us innings for a fraction of that cost . Fans need to remember that this is a business and businesses are in business to....make money.

I view it as a hedge that Skubal will bail.  Burnes is a true ace—he’d give us two, along with Jobe, that would give us a big edge over the next couple of seasons.

[Motor City Sonics]

4 hours ago, 1776 said:

That’s what I’m guessing. But is it worth a roster spot?

Sure.   Dude hit 31 home runs in a season just a year ago.   Don't give up on him just yet.    What this move might be doing is lighting a fire under his chair too.   I think this probably means Zack McKinstry's roster spot might be in trouble because I don't see them keeping Sweeney and Zack.    This also maybe puts a little bit of pressure on Javier too.   I am not expecting Torres to play SS very often, maybe in a pinch, but every infielder they add means one less on the active roster.

I don't think they are done.   I think there is another starting pitcher signing coming, but someone like Jose Quintana,   We really don't have a solid second lefty in our rotation and he would fit into their one-year (maybe two) plan.   I don't think they want Jackson Jobe in the rotation to start the season unless he just blows everyone away at ST.   

  I am not expecting any long term deals.   Santander gets talked about, but I don't know why a power hitter would want to sign here and I am not sure he's ever going to repeat what he did last year or even come close (Brady Anderson Jr.).

  I know the Tigers and Jack Flaherty have a good relationship, but Jack wants his big deal now and that's what he should want.  He probably wants 5 years / 120 million, something like that.  Will he get that much?  No idea, but with his previous injuries and coming off of an outstanding year, I'd be shocked if he signs for anything less than 4 years.   This might be his only shot at a monster payday.  

Right now............

Catchers (2) -  Rogers, Dingler

Infielders (6) -  Baez, Ibanez, Keith, Torkelson, Torres, Sweeney

Outfielders (5) - Carpenter, Meadows, Greene, Perez, Vierling 

Starters (4) - Skubal, Cobb, Olson, ????

Bullpen (8) - Brieske, Faedo, Foley, Holton, Lange, Maeda, Vest, Hurter, 

 

I see the rotation right now as Skubal, Cobb and Olson are in and then the last two spots are up for grabs between Mize, Montero, Jobe, Manning, Maeda or Free Agent.   They could go into the season with a 4 man rotation, using the Opener strategy that worked so well last year.  

[SoCalTiger]

This is a solid if not spectacular signing by Harris. Torres is only 28, mashes lefties and is on a team friendly one year deal. He will be very motivated to do well hoping for a big payday next off season and will see lots of lefties being in our lefty dominated lineup. Win Win. 
Added benefit of moving Keith to first where many of us on the board thought he belonged in the first place though he did improve turning the DP significantly his range is bad. Although we may yearn for him watching Glayber field next year we will have a homegrown replacement for 2026. 
Lighting a fire under Tork should also be beneficial. He can DH where he belongs. 

Harris has proven to be a good and consistent doubles hitter but we are still waiting for and in need of some home runs from Scottie. I am confident he will deliver. We are in real good hands. 

[Graterol]

1 hour ago, Motor City Sonics said:

Sure.   Dude hit 31 home runs in a season just a year ago.   Don't give up on him just yet.    What this move might be doing is lighting a fire under his chair too.   I think this probably means Zack McKinstry's roster spot might be in trouble because I don't see them keeping Sweeney and Zack.    This also maybe puts a little bit of pressure on Javier too.   I am not expecting Torres to play SS very often, maybe in a pinch, but every infielder they add means one less on the active roster.

I don't think they are done.   I think there is another starting pitcher signing coming, but someone like Jose Quintana,   We really don't have a solid second lefty in our rotation and he would fit into their one-year (maybe two) plan.   I don't think they want Jackson Jobe in the rotation to start the season unless he just blows everyone away at ST.   

  I am not expecting any long term deals.   Santander gets talked about, but I don't know why a power hitter would want to sign here and I am not sure he's ever going to repeat what he did last year or even come close (Brady Anderson Jr.).

  I know the Tigers and Jack Flaherty have a good relationship, but Jack wants his big deal now and that's what he should want.  He probably wants 5 years / 120 million, something like that.  Will he get that much?  No idea, but with his previous injuries and coming off of an outstanding year, I'd be shocked if he signs for anything less than 4 years.   This might be his only shot at a monster payday.  

Right now............

Catchers (2) -  Rogers, Dingler

Infielders (6) -  Baez, Ibanez, Keith, Torkelson, Torres, Sweeney

Outfielders (5) - Carpenter, Meadows, Greene, Perez, Vierling 

Starters (4) - Skubal, Cobb, Olson, ????

Bullpen (8) - Brieske, Faedo, Foley, Holton, Lange, Maeda, Vest, Hurter, 

 

I see the rotation right now as Skubal, Cobb and Olson are in and then the last two spots are up for grabs between Mize, Montero, Jobe, Manning, Maeda or Free Agent.   They could go into the season with a 4 man rotation, using the Opener strategy that worked so well last year.  

Would be shocked if Perez, Baez, Ibanez, and Tork are all on the team. McKinistry, Jung and Malloy also in that mix. Tork is so one dimensional he would be least likely of that group to make the roster IMO. 
 

 

[gehringer_2]

3 hours ago, Tigermojo said:

I like the deal less now that Keith is moving to first. I'm sure he would have moved there eventually anyway and his bat will be fine there but maybe not in 2025. Disappointing that he can't play third anymore.

Are we gaining much value next year? More questions added than answers. Can Torres improve? Can Keith play first? Is he ready to provide the power for that position?

I guess I have more confidence in Keith being better at first than Tork. I have less confidence in Torres being better than Keith at second.

Talk is cheap in the off season - I have a hard time imagining Hinch is going to live with Gleyber’s D on the middle of the IF unless he somehow gets better than he has been. 

[romad1]

Yankeeland says they are trading for Jace Jung.  Hmmm... Perhaps that is all speculation. 

 

[Sports_Freak]

2 hours ago, Tenacious D said:

I view it as a hedge that Skubal will bail.  Burnes is a true ace—he’d give us two, along with Jobe, that would give us a big edge over the next couple of seasons.

I agree. But the cost....

[IdahoBert]

32 minutes ago, romad1 said:

Yankeeland says they are trading for Jace Jung.  Hmmm... Perhaps that is all speculation. 

 

I just saw a Newsweek article gushing about it. 

[casimir]

1 hour ago, Graterol said:

Would be shocked if Perez, Baez, Ibanez, and Tork are all on the team. McKinistry, Jung and Malloy also in that mix. Tork is so one dimensional he would be least likely of that group to make the roster IMO. 
 

 

If Keith is the primary 1B, I find it hard to see he, Torkleson, Carpenter, and Malloy on the roster at the same time.  I don’t think the roster flexibility is there unless they employ an everyday 3B.

I know the theory is that Hinch loves to platoon and mix and match.  I don’t know if he really loves it or just realized that he had to do it last season as his best chance to win games.  And he was pretty darn successful with it.  But I suspect he’d rather have 6 or 7 legit everyday starters in the lineup.  If there are too many platoons on the roster, that’s going to weaken the lineup on a day in day out basis.

I’d say Greene and Meadows are everyday players.  Vierling could probably do so as well, but I’m not as sold on that.  Is Torres an everyday 2B?  13 position players, disregard C as an everyday spot, and now you’ve got 11 roster spots for 8 lineup spots.  Let’s be generous and say the 4 mentioned above are everyday players.  The leaves 7 roster spots for 3 lineup spots.  I guess that could work, but how does the rest of the roster get populated?

I don’t know, I think there’s another free agent move and a couple of trades coming that will affect what popular opinion might suggest this team’s clubhouse looks like now.

[Tenacious D]

Not sure if this has any merit, but…

 

[Graterol]

16 minutes ago, casimir said:

If Keith is the primary 1B, I find it hard to see he, Torkleson, Carpenter, and Malloy on the roster at the same time.  I don’t think the roster flexibility is there unless they employ an everyday 3B.

I know the theory is that Hinch loves to platoon and mix and match.  I don’t know if he really loves it or just realized that he had to do it last season as his best chance to win games.  And he was pretty darn successful with it.  But I suspect he’d rather have 6 or 7 legit everyday starters in the lineup.  If there are too many platoons on the roster, that’s going to weaken the lineup on a day in day out basis.

I’d say Greene and Meadows are everyday players.  Vierling could probably do so as well, but I’m not as sold on that.  Is Torres an everyday 2B?  13 position players, disregard C as an everyday spot, and now you’ve got 11 roster spots for 8 lineup spots.  Let’s be generous and say the 4 mentioned above are everyday players.  The leaves 7 roster spots for 3 lineup spots.  I guess that could work, but how does the rest of the roster get populated?

I don’t know, I think there’s another free agent move and a couple of trades coming that will affect what popular opinion might suggest this team’s clubhouse looks like now.

Of the 11 players for 8 spots, generally think Greene, Meadows, Torres and Keith fall into roughly everyday guys. Carp is only a platoon guy. Today Jung is probably 3B (but hopefully Bregman and Kim still in play). Ibanez and Vierling are 3B/DH platoons for Jung/Carp and IF/OF backups. Sweeney the starting shortstop. Need a backup SS so prob Baez or a FA. That would leave only one roster spot: Tork/Malloy as another RH lefty masher or Perez/McKinistry if more defensive value needed. Possible one of these could also beat out Ibanez. Kim/Bregman would drop down Sweeney/Jung to bench options if they signed. Actually like Kim more than Bregman as I think he helps this roster more.

[gehringer_2]

I really hope I'm wrong but this is beginning to sound like a team that isn't going to fit together very well.

[SoCalTiger]

58 minutes ago, gehringer_2 said:

I really hope I'm wrong but this is beginning to sound like a team that isn't going to fit together very well.

It's even more complicated when you look at the minor league players ascending quickly. Like moving Keith to first sounds good long term until you think of Bricenio who could maybe catch until you think of Lorenzo etc. Maybe a good problem ? Or too many musical chairs ?