2025 Tiger roster is almost set :-)

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Roger King

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Aug 14, 2024, 1:21:15 PM8/14/24
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In the other thread we’re talking about the Tigers having “the band back together” for September. And of course, lots of Tiger fans have criticized Harris & management for not spending more money on free agents this past offseason.

But you can make a case for Harris actually not doing much of anything *this* coming off-season. Which again seems strange for a team that might not even reach .500… But here’s how it looks:

Rotation:
Skubal-Olson-Mize-Jobe-Manning
Montero in the picture; Maeda with 1 year left on the contract 

Assuming everyone is healthy, would you spend any money on free agent starters? We ran into a situation coming out of spring training this year where Manning had to go down to Toledo for no reason to do with his performance. They just had too many starters. I think I’d be fairly happy with that rotation above going into 2025.

Catchers: Dingler/Rogers
1st - Tork
2B - Keith
SS - Baez
3B - Jung
DH - Malloy
OF - Greene/Meadows/Carpenter
Bench: Sweeney, Vierling, ?

OK here, obviously you wouldn’t be counting on Tork but you also wouldn’t go out and sign a big free agent first baseman and write him off either. 

You could release Baez, but then I assume Sweeney steps right in there so you’re not signing another SS. 

I’m putting Jung at 3rd base because that’s the obvious infield hole and one would assume he’s in Detroit right from the start or soon into 2025.  Not sure if he’d be the main guy there, but plugging him in for the roster.

Malloy at DH.  Would assume he’d get the most at bats there. It’s not like his first season has been mind blowing but he’s only 24 and is just approaching 200 plate appearances so I can’t see a scenario where he isn’t part of the plans for next year.

Maybe you don’t think Meadows will ever hit enough but because of the injuries this season, don’t they have to make him a part of the plans for 2025 to see for sure? Especially if he continues to hit well this last month and a half.

So the above list leaves open only one bench spot which could go to someone like Ibanez or someone else Harris picks up.  

Obviously, the pen can be improved with some free agent acquisitions, but beyond that, if you are Harris, are you spending a lot of money? If so, who is getting cut from this roster above?

Roger King
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Dave

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Aug 14, 2024, 2:33:27 PM8/14/24
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I see Baez being DFAed.  

It looks to me like Torkelson is equal the Pistons 2003 drafting of Darko Milicic at 2 after Lebron was taken at number 1 and passing on three HOFers right after him.  I know hindsight is 20/20 but first basemen with a WAR of less than 1 aren't worth much.

These are Tettleton's four seasons in Detroit
Bat RunsBsrGIDPROETZifDPOFarmCatchPos AdjRepRARWAR

1991DET60430-1-1-1-1002521545.5
1992DET64828-41-1-1002322505.2
1993DET63124-21-1-30-2-7-221293.0
1994DET44119-20-2-70-1-8-115131.2

He also won the Silver Slugger award twice.

I am not sure his time in Toledo has shown much towards keeping him.  I think the Tigers (Harris) gives him 2025 to figure it out.

Dave


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Peter Welch

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Aug 14, 2024, 3:37:21 PM8/14/24
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With Sweeney being a lefty hitter who hits righties much better than lefties, we could do a Sweeney/Baez platoon at SS next year.  That could be ok.  Javy normally hits lefties better than righties, although this year he has reverse splits and hits worse against lefties, but his career norm is to hit lefties better than righties.  Baez could also sub in late in games for his defense.

I actually think the Tigers should call up Sweeney now and try a platoon with Baez for the rest of this season.  I'd rather see Sweeney platooning with Baez than McKinstry, who has no future with the team.

I think you'll see the Tigers sign or trade for an established starter.   The starting rotation is still a bit thin.  Sawyer Gipson-Long should also come back into the mix next year (assuming he rehabs well from his surgery).
Let's sign Verlander or Scherzer to a 1-year deal.  Talk about bringing back the band together... 😉

The Tigers will also probably sign a couple of established relievers.  We really need a couple of relievers who can strike out hitters.  Holton and Foley are ok, but they aren't big strikeout guys.   We really don't need to see Miller, Vest and Brieske trying to close out games next year.  They just don't miss enough bats.   I wouldn't count on Lange anymore.

If the Tigers can sign or trade for another decent-hitting outfielder that would be ok.  I like Meadows but he still seems more like a 4th outfielder/defensive specialist than a regular. 
Cody Bellinger has an opt-out so he might be on the market.  I thought the Tigers should have signed Bellinger this past year.  Greene/Bellinger/Carpenter/Meadows/Vierling would be a good group.
Greene and Carpenter are injury-prone so it would be good to have better outfield depth.

Peter


From: detroit...@googlegroups.com <detroit...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Roger King <pnag...@pnagency.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2024 1:20 PM
To: Tigers List <detroit...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: 2025 Tiger roster is almost set :-)
 

Peter Welch

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Aug 14, 2024, 3:40:05 PM8/14/24
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Tork might be traded in the offseason especially if the Tigers decide to try Keith at 1B (the Tigers should also try Malloy at 1B).  Madris is another 1B possibility (although I think he'll turn back into a pumpkin eventually) in case they trade Tork.

Peter

From: 'Dave' via Detroit Tigers e-mail list <detroit...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2024 2:33 PM
To: Tigers List <detroit...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: 2025 Tiger roster is almost set :-)
 

Peter Welch

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Aug 14, 2024, 3:46:50 PM8/14/24
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Jung is apparently a terrible defensive 3B and much better at 2B, but he's blocked at 2B by Keith. 
But maybe Jung could platoon at 3B with Vierling/Ibanez next year?  Jung is a lefty hitter and hits righties way better than lefties.  He looks like a platoon player.

The Tigers should also try Jung at 1B (along with Keith and Malloy).

Peter
Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2024 1:20 PM
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Subject: 2025 Tiger roster is almost set :-)
 
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lore724

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Aug 14, 2024, 4:12:49 PM8/14/24
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You are platooning as much as Hinch. These guys need to find one position and play it well. 

We don’t need 12 guys that play all over the field. 

If Jung plays second, play him at second. Move Keith to first and let him earn that money. 
Dave

On Aug 14, 2024, at 15:46, Peter Welch <pw...@hotmail.com> wrote:



Peter Welch

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Aug 14, 2024, 4:25:05 PM8/14/24
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If a guy can't hit lefties and you have a righty who does, I don't mind platooning to gain an advantage.  Sparky and Earl Weaver were good at it.
Sweeney has consistently struggled vs. lefties in the minors but has a career .800+ OPS vs. righties.  I think he's a great platoon candidate with the righty Baez.

Yes, I'd prefer a full-time SS who can actually hit and play good defense, but we don't have that right now and probably not until McGonigle is ready in 2-3 years, and I don't think we're signing Willy Adames or Ha-Seong Kim in the offseason unless we decide to jettison Baez, which I don't see happening yet.

Jung has a .900+ OPS vs. righties but is below .500 OPS vs. lefties.  He's another good platoon candidate.

That being said, I do think the lefty-hitting Carpenter should be given a chance to play against righties and lefties regularly (when he's healthy).   Carpenter hit lefties decently in the minors.
Riley Greene and Colt Keith also hit lefties decently in the minors so they should be everyday players as well (and they are mostly now).

Peter

From: lore724 <lor...@aol.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2024 4:12 PM
To: Peter Welch <pw...@hotmail.com>
Cc: Tigers List <detroit...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: 2025 Tiger roster is almost set :-)
 

Dave

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Aug 14, 2024, 5:37:54 PM8/14/24
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Peter

I agree with platooning but Hinch doesn't do it or doesn't do it well.  I think we can put a decent 26 person team together.  

I see Harris dumping Baez.  Wasn't his hire, so he doesn't take heat for the contract.  I see Torkelson getting 2025 to show he can hit or he's gone.  Harris can jettison him also.  Not his draft pick.

One contract and one draft pick that Avila sh*t the bed on.  

But, I could be wrong.

D

Roger King

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Aug 14, 2024, 5:59:54 PM8/14/24
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Yes, obviously they know they have to get more serious about a back-up plan for Tork but as you say, they're going to give him 2025 (or a good chunk of it anyway).  So, we won't get any major change at that position *this* offseason.  

The acquisition of Sweeney is clearly a Plan B on Baez.  In that case, it's hard to believe management believes he'll ever turn it around in any real way.  But Peter's platoon idea may win in the short term just to get *something* more from Baez before they eventually cut him loose.


Peter Welch

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Aug 14, 2024, 6:33:18 PM8/14/24
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I hope they say goodbye to Baez after this season.  Just buy him out.  Sunk cost anyway.
I would like to see them sign Adames.
He originally came through the Tigers’ system and he’ll only be 29 next year.
I don’t think he’d turn into another Baez.

Peter

On Aug 14, 2024, at 5:37 PM, 'Dave' via Detroit Tigers e-mail list <detroit...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



Peter Welch

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Aug 15, 2024, 3:59:38 PM8/15/24
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Lots of Reverse Voodoo for Javy seems to be working.  😉

Baez has a .871 OPS in his last 15 games.  


Peter
From: detroit...@googlegroups.com <detroit...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Peter Welch <pw...@hotmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2024 6:33 PM
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Subject: Re: 2025 Tiger roster is almost set :-)
 

Paul Meloche

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Aug 15, 2024, 4:22:58 PM8/15/24
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I think a contract extension is in order. 😜

Dave

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Aug 15, 2024, 4:43:31 PM8/15/24
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When did Avila join the list?

Roger King

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Aug 18, 2024, 7:26:16 AM8/18/24
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In my initial post starting this thread on Wednesday, I forgot about Wenceel Perez. 

Catchers: Dingler/Rogers
1st - Tork
2B - Keith
SS - Baez
3B - Jung
DH - Malloy
OF - Greene/Meadows/Carpenter
Bench: Sweeney, Vierling, ?

Put Perez in that question mark spot and that’s the 13 guys on offense for next year potentially. Unless they decide to part ways with Javy and/or don’t think Meadows can hit enough.  Otherwise, I can’t imagine any of these other guys would be left off the team (unless they’re part of a trade, of course). 

Not sure if Perez can make it back this season, but otherwise, this is actually going to be the roster for this September. I’m assuming McKinstry is gone once Riley Greene is activated. That would leave Ibanez in place of Perez.  

My initial post was before they called up Tork, Jung and Sweeney so here we are with all the guys in Detroit now.

Peter Welch

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Aug 18, 2024, 11:52:34 AM8/18/24
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I think you could still see Tork traded.  He had a good game yesterday in his return, but let's see how he's doing by the end of September.  I think everyone is skeptical that Tork has made any adjustments as a hitter, but we'll see.

I would mark Sweeney as the starting SS because he bats lefty and the majority of opposing pitchers are righties.  Baez will be a platoon partner for Sweeney against lefties and as a late-inning defensive replacement.  There is also a possibility that the Tigers buy out Baez's contract and say goodbye after the season.

If the Tigers let Baez go, they could be involved in the free agent SS market.  Willy Adames, Ha-seong Kim and Amed Rosario are free agents.  Adames will probably be too much and want a long-term contract, but I could see the Tigers signing Kim or Rosario on shorter-term deals to bide time for Kevin McGonigle to be ready in a couple of years.

I think the Tigers need to sign/acquire an OF/DH type as depth because both Greene and Carpenter are injury-prone (and perhaps Meadows is injury-prone as well) and, as we saw this summer, the team's offense tanked after they got hurt.  Malloy is strictly a DH (let's be honest he's a terrible OF and DH-only), but also Malloy's high strikeout rate (36%) and inability to hit breaking balls are problematic for him showing much improvement.  I'm not giving up on Malloy but he has a lot of weaknesses in his swing that are being exploited by major league pitchers. 

Somebody like a Jurickson Profar, who is a FA after this season, could be very useful.  I've mentioned Cody Bellinger before as well.  He has an opt-out with the Cubs after this season so he could be available.  And, of course, JD Martinez will be available for a 1-year deal.  JD could be very useful as a DH next year for a team like the Tigers that could contend next year (although I don't think Hinch likes guys like JD who only play 1 position).

The Tigers should also make an offer for Luis Robert from the White Sox.  Robert has had a down season and could be available if the White Sox are doing a complete strip-down.  

Peter


Sent: Sunday, August 18, 2024 7:26 AM
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