2024 - 2025 Detroit Tigers Offseason

[RatkoVarda]

Kikuchi to LAA for 3/63. FA starting pitching is going to be expensive this winter.

[gehringer_2]

54 minutes ago, Tiger337 said:

The criterion could be the ability to play a position other than corner outfield.  

the defense certainly is reason to live with Parker going against LHP, but Colt isn't yet so great a 2b that his D is what's keeping him in the game against LHP. But not to dance around it,  it's fair to just come out and say they have a bigger stake in Colt's development than they do in Carpenters.

Also, not to miss the obvious, Parker and Colt hit  LHP. Parker had almost no platoon split - a mere 13 OPS points last season, and 3 pts better OBP. Colt's OPS split is 34 points, but his OBP split is also negative - 50pts. - so he's no more likely to make an out against a LHP either.

Of the three lefties that go against LHP, it's Riley that has a big split, but that's mostly because he's a beast against RHP. He still manages a 700 OPS against LHP.

So that's a tremendous luxury to have a core of three LHH you don't really need to platoon for.

Edited November 25, 2024 by gehringer_2

[Tenacious D]

1 hour ago, RatkoVarda said:

Kikuchi to LAA for 3/63. FA starting pitching is going to be expensive this winter.

I saw that as encouraging.  Not many years at a reasonable annual rate.

[KL2]

1 hour ago, RatkoVarda said:

Kikuchi to LAA for 3/63. FA starting pitching is going to be expensive this winter.

Think you're gonna have to retrain your brain. $20million is no longer expensive for a pitcher or good player. The top line guys are getting $40million plus now. Flaherty got $14 million on a show me deal last year

[HeyAbbott]

35 minutes ago, KL2 said:

Think you're gonna have to retrain your brain. $20million is no longer expensive for a pitcher or good player. The top line guys are getting $40million plus now. Flaherty got $14 million on a show me deal last year

So, are we willing to offer 8 years and 500 million to Tarik Skubal yet?

[Motor City Sonics]

6 hours ago, Sports_Freak said:

Meadows was usually hitting much lower in the lineup against LH pitchers. And Hinch mostly wanted him for his CF glove. Even though Parker seemed to be able to hit those LH pitches.

I consider Parker Meadows to be the Tigers non-pitcher MVP in 2024.    The turnaround started when he returned as a difference maker.  Heck, he saved at least 2 games with his glove alone, but he was a different player when he came back for good in August.  

[Tigermojo]

1 hour ago, Tenacious D said:

I saw that as encouraging.  Not many years at a reasonable annual rate.

If Yusei so.

[Sports_Freak]

1 hour ago, Motor City Sonics said:

I consider Parker Meadows to be the Tigers non-pitcher MVP in 2024.    The turnaround started when he returned as a difference maker.  Heck, he saved at least 2 games with his glove alone, but he was a different player when he came back for good in August.  

I agree. That grand slam in Seattle (?) was amazing. 2 out in the 9th inning with the bases loaded? Opposite field too!

[mtutiger]

1 hour ago, Motor City Sonics said:

I consider Parker Meadows to be the Tigers non-pitcher MVP in 2024.    The turnaround started when he returned as a difference maker.  Heck, he saved at least 2 games with his glove alone, but he was a different player when he came back for good in August.  

It's just the set of tools that he brings to the park with him every day.... if he's on in all facets (as he was at the end of the last season), he's capable of being the straw that stirs the drink. At least outside of the pitching department anyway.

Definitely not coincidental that their game picked up when he came back and started performing.

[Tenacious D]

[TigerNation]

23 hours ago, gehringer_2 said:

They let Keith and Meadows work against LHP at least in part, so there is some criterion that a player can meet to get that shot, and apparently whatever it is, Carpenter hasn't met it yet.

I think a big part of it is that they provide value in other facets of the game, Meadows especially, and are still younger.

Less likely to let a DH try to work through hitting like a -3 WAR play against LHP. Also he was 26 this year, hard to imagine him developing into a guy who can be a plus hitter against LHP at this point.

[chasfh]

16 hours ago, Tenacious D said:

lol mets

[chasfh]

17 hours ago, Sports_Freak said:

I agree. That grand slam in Seattle (?) was amazing. 2 out in the 9th inning with the bases loaded? Opposite field too!

And on a 3-2 count!

[chasfh]

On 11/14/2024 at 8:57 AM, chasfh said:

I have pooh-poohed a lot of players here that we have zero chance of getting, but I think there is an actual non-zero chance Sasaki comes here.

To be clear, I'm not predicting he will. It's at least a 100-1 shot. But I don't think it's absolute zero, because the Tigers are known to be a team on the rise, have a Japanese-speaking pitcher already in the fold, and have been developing a reputation for being pitcher whisperers. I don't think we'll win him, but I wouldn't be surprised to hear that we were a consideration along with the Padres, Mets, Astros, Cubs, and Red Sox.

I do think the last two standing will be the Padres and Dodgers.

I'm getting a bit of support on this one here, which I guess is my consolation prize:

https://www.mlb.com/news/teams-that-could-sign-roki-sasaki?lctg=4019258656&partnerId=it-20241126-11828221-mlb-1-A

AL Central: Tigers

Detroit just reached the postseason for the first time in a decade with one of the youngest rosters in the Majors. With the Tigers' competitive window just now opening, they can’t rest on that success. Now is the time to attack in free agency.

It sounds as if president of baseball operations Scott Harris is ready to be aggressive this winter, and what better way to signal that you mean business than by landing one of the most talented young pitchers available?

Pairing Sasaki with reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal might give Detroit the best righty-lefty combination of any rotation. Add in Jackson Jobe, who debuted in September and is the No. 5 prospect in MLB, and suddenly the Tigers have what could be a dominant trio leading their staff for many years to come -- assuming they extend their decorated ace.

 

Is Sasaki the right fit for a roster that has one pitcher in his 30s (Sasaki’s fellow countryman, Kenta Maeda)? Of course! Sasaki's immense talent fits any roster, but in Detroit, he would join a team on the rise, band together with the best pitcher in the AL and accelerate the Tigers’ trek to the top of their division. -- Brian Murphy

[alex]

29 minutes ago, chasfh said:

I'm getting a bit of support on this one here, which I guess is my consolation prize:

https://www.mlb.com/news/teams-that-could-sign-roki-sasaki?lctg=4019258656&partnerId=it-20241126-11828221-mlb-1-A

 

It is a real thought. Not sure what the chances actually are. Yet, IMHO, and no doubt many others here - they should go all out and try - IF they think very highly of him.

If they give it their best, and no-go, then so be it.

Edited November 26, 2024 by alex

[RatkoVarda]

what a coup if Harris signs Sasaki.

for the 2025 international bonus pool, the Tigers (and other teams like Seattle ) start with the most money - $7,555,500. I think they can acquire 60% more, in blocks of $250,000 from other teams. so that is $12,088,800. Not sure how much they have already promised to latin american teenagers, but maybe they can offer Sasaki $8/9M?

[4hzglory]

9 minutes ago, RatkoVarda said:

what a coup if Harris signs Sasaki.

for the 2025 international bonus pool, the Tigers (and other teams like Seattle ) start with the most money - $7,555,500. I think they can acquire 60% more, in blocks of $250,000 from other teams. so that is $12,088,800. Not sure how much they have already promised to latin american teenagers, but maybe they can offer Sasaki $8/9M?

We are currently projected to sign OF Chris Rodriguez who MLB had as the #3 ranked International signing as of 9/24 & BA also has at #3 as of yesterday) neither list doesn't include Sasaki) 

Edited November 26, 2024 by 4hzglory

[Edman85]

20 minutes ago, RatkoVarda said:

what a coup if Harris signs Sasaki.

for the 2025 international bonus pool, the Tigers (and other teams like Seattle ) start with the most money - $7,555,500. I think they can acquire 60% more, in blocks of $250,000 from other teams. so that is $12,088,800. Not sure how much they have already promised to latin american teenagers, but maybe they can offer Sasaki $8/9M?

And that 4.5M of cap space isn't free. You'd likely be trading several prospects just for the chance. A lot of teams did this in 2017 for Ohtani and got burned.

[Hongbit]

Available International bonus money will play zero role in singing Sasaki.   He could sign with anyone for $200-$300M if he waited 2 more years in Japan.   This isn’t about the money.  It’s about wanting to play right now in MLB.   I expect he will make more in endorsements the next two years than he will from his MLB contract.    He’s going where he sees the best fit for him.

Edited November 26, 2024 by Hongbit

[RatkoVarda]

I like the Tigers' chances to sign him more if they can offer $8M rather than $2M

[gehringer_2]

5 minutes ago, Hongbit said:

I expect he will make more in endorsements the next two years than he will from his MLB contract.  

which is why a big name Japanese player will stay on the West coast where the majority of his games will be at a more reasonable time of day in Japan.

[4hzglory]

11 minutes ago, gehringer_2 said:

which is why a big name Japanese player will stay on the West coast where the majority of his games will be at a more reasonable time of day in Japan.

Or NY/TOR where there are large asian populations and markets, but it's also why he isn't likely to sign with the Dodgers (and maybe the Angels?)  as he would have 2 other Japanese stars competing for endorsements. 

[gehringer_2]

5 minutes ago, 4hzglory said:

Or NY/TOR where there are large asian populations and markets, but it's also why he isn't likely to sign with the Dodgers (and maybe the Angels?)  as he would have 2 other Japanese stars competing for endorsements. 

IDK - could go different ways depending. Maybe if they are both with the same team you get marketing synergies  - the Dodgers become all of Japan's team?  Or maybe the two guys don't like each other and it can't happen. 🤷‍♂️

In any case you are correct, there aren't many factors that play to the advantage of the Tigers.

Edited November 26, 2024 by gehringer_2

[4hzglory]

10 minutes ago, gehringer_2 said:

IDK - could go different ways depending. Maybe if they are both with the same team you get marketing synergies  - the Dodgers become all of Japan's team?  Or maybe the two guys don't like each other and it can't happen. 🤷‍♂️

In any case you are correct, there aren't many factors that play to the advantage of the Tigers.

I personally believe that the reason he is coming over now is because he is so confident in himself being a superstar (Ohtani was similar when he chose the Angels) and those people don't often want to be 2nd fiddle to an established star.  I see him going to a team where he can be the Japanese star.  I think it's most likely San Diego, somewhere on the west coast, or NY/Tor.  The only things we have going for us are Maeda who could be a mentor and being an up and coming team with a reputation of developing pitchers.

Edited November 26, 2024 by 4hzglory

[Mr.TaterSalad]

Given what Harris has come out and said, is Willy Adames out of our range on both price and contractual length? Adames is the guy I'd love to get most this offseason as we could play him at either short or third. I feel like he's going to be a team the big spenders, Dodgers, Phillies, Red Sox, Yankees will be after and we have no shot at him.