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Tigers 2023-2024 Offseason: Trades, Free Agents, Call ups, Rule 5, tender, non-tender

THE END OF AN ERA?
Totally Tigers

I give props today to a loyal reader, Motorcitytiger, who planted the seed that I should write about the Cody Bellinger deal. His suggestion helped to crystalize a blog I had been developing about free agency, Scott Boras and a certain former Tiger.
To start, it’s been noticed everywhere that the top 4 remaining free agents – Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Jordan Montgomery and Blake Snell – are all Scott Boras clients. This agent has been known to work out deals at the last moment but we are now into the 2nd week of spring training and it’s already a little late for the remaining 3 to catch up with players already well into their seasonal prep.
Now we have Bellinger who just returned to the Cubs. His new contract is for $80 mill dollars for 3 years ($30/$30/$20) with an opt out after each year. Consider this to be the equivalent of 3 1-year pillow contracts.

This contract is so very surprising given that Cody slashed .307/.356/.525 (.881 OPS) with 26 home runs and earned Comeback Player of the Year in 2023.
The top 4 analysts who predict such contracts estimated that Bellinger would receive a contract of 6-12 years ranging from $150 mill to $264 mill. He ended up getting half of the lowest contract estimate in both years and salary.
So why the huge disconnect? All the experts are still trying to figure it out.
 
The #Tigers have claimed infielder Buddy Kennedy off waivers from the Cardinals.Kennedy, 25, hit .308 with five home runs, 76 walks, 81 strikeouts across 101 games last season at the Triple-A level, posting a .432 OBP. Can play second base, third base, first base, left field.
 
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Tigers claim infielder Buddy Kennedy, trade Andre Lipcius to the Dodgers.
Detroit claimed Kennedy off waivers, placed infielder Andre Lipcius on waivers, signed a relief prospect from the Frontier League, and then ultimately traded Lipcius. Let’s break it down.
BYBTB
 
MONDAY MUSINGS.
Totally Tigers

Today, it’s about quick hits – bits of news that catch my radar during the week as well as connecting the dots re ongoing stories. Even the quirky.
So let’s get to it! Here are the most interesting topics that hit my radar over the past week………..
 
ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL.
Totally Tigers
 
DEEPER DISCUSSIONS.
Totally Tigers

There is an ugly matter playing out with the Washington Nationals and one of their players, Stephen Strasburg, their World Series hero and MVP.
Strasburg has been unable to pitch since June 2022 with legitimate arm problems. Last year, they approached him about retirement, there was an agreement and a big farewell party planned.
Until the Nationals cancelled it all. They expected him to re-negotiate his guaranteed contract even though they pushed for his retirement in order to open up his roster spot. They still owe him 3 years of salary adding up to $105 mill.
Now there is a standoff between both sides with the Nats trying to strong-arm Strasburg by telling him to report to spring training. They are hoping to get him to concede part of his salary in a re-configuration of his contract.
In a somewhat similar vein, the Tigers still owe Javier Baez $98 mill for his guaranteed contract.
Baez has been significantly falling offensively every year since the Tigers acquired him. Last year, during a particularly bad stretch, he was benched.
The Tigers have spent 2 off-seasons working extensively with him to try to get him back on track. Baez has admitted that he has a hard time seeing fastballs.
So far this spring training, he’s had 2 hit in 12 games and 26 at-bats. He has struck out 50% of the time and is hitting .077. He is by far the worst hitter on the team.
His horrible performance is now getting the attention of the national baseball writers.
If his struggles continue at this significant rate, what should the Tigers do, esp. when they are in dire need of offense?
Should they simply cut him and pay out the rest of his full contract?
Or should they attempt to renegotiate his contract to reflect his inability to hit that would release him from the team and reduce the team’s obligations?
Is it fair for a player who can no longer perform to give back part of his salary even though it is a legal and guaranteed contract?
Should a team try to break a contract given the player’s inability to perform? Or is there a risk that it will put a black mark on the Tigers’ Front Office and create friction between the current roster of players as well as potential new ones the Tigers may want to sign?
Today’s blog addresses this question and allows readers to share their thoughts in more detail. And hopefully, to actively engage with others by responding to their posts and creating back-and-forth discussion threads. The more the merrier!
For this one blog only, you’ve got 6 sentences max to share your thoughts. Of course, you can also respond to other readers.
TT will supply the ammunition. One thought-provoking question. Several options provided. One hard choice to be selected. One vote.
Ready?
What should the Tigers do about Javier Baez’s contract if he can no longer perform at the plate?

What should the Tigers do about Javy Baez's contract if he can no longer perform at the plate?

1. Cut him and pay him the full amount of his contract.

2. Negotiate a retirement package that would restructure his contract.

VOTE
 
DEEPER DISCUSSIONS.
Totally Tigers

There is an ugly matter playing out with the Washington Nationals and one of their players, Stephen Strasburg, their World Series hero and MVP.
Strasburg has been unable to pitch since June 2022 with legitimate arm problems. Last year, they approached him about retirement, there was an agreement and a big farewell party planned.
Until the Nationals cancelled it all. They expected him to re-negotiate his guaranteed contract even though they pushed for his retirement in order to open up his roster spot. They still owe him 3 years of salary adding up to $105 mill.
Now there is a standoff between both sides with the Nats trying to strong-arm Strasburg by telling him to report to spring training. They are hoping to get him to concede part of his salary in a re-configuration of his contract.
In a somewhat similar vein, the Tigers still owe Javier Baez $98 mill for his guaranteed contract.
Baez has been significantly falling offensively every year since the Tigers acquired him. Last year, during a particularly bad stretch, he was benched.
The Tigers have spent 2 off-seasons working extensively with him to try to get him back on track. Baez has admitted that he has a hard time seeing fastballs.
So far this spring training, he’s had 2 hit in 12 games and 26 at-bats. He has struck out 50% of the time and is hitting .077. He is by far the worst hitter on the team.
His horrible performance is now getting the attention of the national baseball writers.
If his struggles continue at this significant rate, what should the Tigers do, esp. when they are in dire need of offense?
Should they simply cut him and pay out the rest of his full contract?
Or should they attempt to renegotiate his contract to reflect his inability to hit that would release him from the team and reduce the team’s obligations?
Is it fair for a player who can no longer perform to give back part of his salary even though it is a legal and guaranteed contract?
Should a team try to break a contract given the player’s inability to perform? Or is there a risk that it will put a black mark on the Tigers’ Front Office and create friction between the current roster of players as well as potential new ones the Tigers may want to sign?
Today’s blog addresses this question and allows readers to share their thoughts in more detail. And hopefully, to actively engage with others by responding to their posts and creating back-and-forth discussion threads. The more the merrier!
For this one blog only, you’ve got 6 sentences max to share your thoughts. Of course, you can also respond to other readers.
TT will supply the ammunition. One thought-provoking question. Several options provided. One hard choice to be selected. One vote.
Ready?
What should the Tigers do about Javier Baez’s contract if he can no longer perform at the plate?

What should the Tigers do about Javy Baez's contract if he can no longer perform at the plate?

1. Cut him and pay him the full amount of his contract.

2. Negotiate a retirement package that would restructure his contract.

VOTE

I'd give him half a season to figure it out. If he doesn't then craft a retirement deal. Because his career is effectively over.
 
He's not going to retire. He's 31. If you see what others are getting paid and what the payroll is for Detroit, his $25m is chump change. It doesn't matter if he's not worth it. Detroit can easily absorb it. If they want the spot release him, no way he'll renegotatiate. If he can't see the fastball get his eyes checked..
 
IT’S NOT THAT SIMPLE – Part 1.
Totally Tigers
 
IT’S NOT THAT SIMPLE – Part 2.
Totally Tigers

On Tuesday, we started addressing the factors that go into the creation of the Opening Day roster. A number of elements that are based upon an overall strategy and limitations rather than simply selecting the best performers.
What they all had in common were contractual and team-controlled obligations.
 
Former Tigers minor-league pitcher traded to Phillies.
Mlive

Former Tigers pitcher exits one deal, signs another with Red Sox.
Mlive

Spencer Turnbull could be in Phillies’ rotation; another former Tiger will start on IL.
Mlive
 
PLAYING CHESS INSTEAD OF CHECKERS.
Totally Tigers
 
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