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Tigers FO thread, Scott Harris Pres. of Baseball Ops,Tigers Hire Jeff Greenberg GM

https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/tigers-avoid-arbitration-tarik-skubal-jake-rogers-akil-baddoo
Tigers avoid arbitration with Skubal, Rogers, Baddoo. Taking Mize to arby over 25K. WTF
Tigers official site

https://motorcitybengals.com/posts/...s-terrible-look-for-organization-01hkz3z7rmfx
Tigers' arbitration filing for Casey Mize is terrible look for organization.
The Detroit Tigers are taking one of their players to arbitration over a measly amount of money.
MCBTB

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...e-head-to-arbitration-over-25000/72197286007/
Detroit Tigers, Casey Mize can't agree on salary for 2024. Here's what happens next.
Freep

https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2024/01/will-tigers-casey-mize-go-to-battle-over-25-thousand-bucks.html
Will Tigers, Casey Mize go to battle over 25 thousand bucks?
Mlive
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2024/01/15/mizerly/
Mizerly.
Totally Tigers

Let the speculation begin.

Last week was the deadline for MLB teams to exchange arbitration numbers with their eligible players. And the Detroit Tigers finalized contracts with 3 out of 4 players.

All except for Casey Mize.

Remember him? The #1 draft pick back in 2018 who has only pitched 1 full season and a handful of games over an additional 2 years.

Mize last pitched almost 2 years ago. A lifetime in baseball.

They are going to arbitration over a difference in salary. The Tigers offered $815,000. Mize wants $840,000.

A difference of $25,000.

But don?t think that this is an instance of the Tigers being cheap. Don?t make that automatic assumption.

The Tigers are anything but cheap under the post-Covid, post-tear down and new leadership.

Fans don?t see it but Chris Ilitch has poured millions into the franchise?s infrastructure.The first owner to do such dating back to before we were born. Expanding departments, buying tons of new expensive technology and hiring the best executives, managers, coaches and specialists.

He?s even green-lighted huge expansions of personnel in multiple departments like player development, analytics, scouting and drafting.He is also funding the increase from 5 coaches to 11.

Ilitch hired both a President of Baseball Operations and a GM. He didn?t have to. An extra person and an extra multi-million dollar salary.

So it doesn?t make sense that the team would balk at a measly extra $25,000.

There is something else going on. And it?s why the Tigers are making a statement by staying put in their salary offer.

Let?s explore what possibly could be going on.
 
https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/casey-mize-tigers-agree-to-1-year-deal-avoid-arbitration
Mize, Tigers avoid arbitration with 1-year deal.
Tigers official site

https://www.blessyouboys.com/2024/1...ers-casey-mize-contract-agreement-arbitration
Tigers, Casey Mize come to contract agreement.
The two sides will not go to an arbitration hearing after all.
BYBTB

https://motorcitybengals.com/posts/detroit-tigers-casey-mize-agree-contract-avoid-arbitration-2024
Detroit Tigers and Casey Mize agree to one year deal avoiding arbitration.
Detroit Tigers and right-handed pitcher Casey Mize avoided their arbitration hearing, agreeing to an extension.
MCBTB

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/01/tigers-casey-mize-avoid-arbitration.html
Tigers, Casey Mize Avoid Arbitration.
MLBTR

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/s...on-agree-to-one-year-830000-deal/72288812007/
Tigers, Mize avoid arbitration, agree to one-year, $830,000 deal.
Detnews

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...ation-with-1-year-deal-25-option/72288405007/
Detroit Tigers, Casey Mize agree to $830,000 salary in 2024 with club option for 2025.
Freep

https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2024/01/tigers-casey-mize-reach-deal-to-avoid-arbitration-hearing.html
Tigers, Casey Mize reach deal to avoid arbitration hearing.
Mlive
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2024/01/20/deeper-discussions-102/
DEEPER DISCUSSIONS.
Totally Tigers

The pitfalls of signing established free agents to long-term contracts has been a topic of discussion for years.

But now we?re seeing teams buy out the contracts of their younger players and signing extended long-term contracts with them before they reach free agency. Some Front Offices believe it?s a smarter move to lock in their players while they are young and presumably more productive.

However, the pitfall of this strategy is that these players, while good, don?t yet have an established track record. Who is to say that if they have 2-3 really good years at the beginning of their careers that it will continue long-term? Or that the needs of the team may change? Or that a top prospect comes up and is better than the one they signed to a long-term contract?

Should the Tigers be doing this? Should they be signing players to long-term contracts before they hit free agency and are still young?

Are there any Tigers currently whom the Tigers should buy out and extend?

Today?s blog addresses this dilemma 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 and create back-and-forth discussions.

TT will supply the ammunition. One thought-provoking question. Several options provided. One hard choice to be selected. One vote.

Ready?

Should the Tigers buy out and extend the contracts of any young players?

1. Yes.

2. Yes, but there are no candidates this year.

3. No.

VOTE
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2024/01/24/let-the-pressure-begin/
LET THE PRESSURE BEGIN.
Totally Tigers

The Detroit Tigers are going into their 2nd year under the new regime. New people have now had the chance to work together, the problems created and/or ignored by the former Front Office have been been discovered and changes have started to be implemented.

So what should our expectations be throughout the 2024 season?

We sat on our hands throughout last year, understanding that it was Scott Harris? first season in charge and that naturally, it was going to take some time for him to assess the organization. And as a result, many small moves were made last year as the organization readjusted.

But this year?

We can?t be as patient. Especially because we sat through the unmitigated years of disaster from 2015 through 2022. We need to start seeing bigger signs of hope and progress.

Chris Ilitch does, too. The Tigers have lost just too many fans. Studies show that fans start departing for good after 5 years of witnessing bad sports. It?s been over 6 now for the Tigers. Ilitch can?t afford another year where the Tigers remain uncompetitive.

The franchise lost app. $30 mill in revenue for the 2022 season. Only 5 other MLB teams lost more. (The figures for 2023 aren?t out yet.) This doesn?t even include the big question mark surrounding broadcasting rights ($60 mill/year) which are likely to expire at some point within the year due to the bankruptcy issues tied to Bally Sports. Currently, who will pay for what and how much is still up in the air and won?t be resolved for several months at least.

All of this means that the honeymoon for Scott Harris is officially over at the beginning of April. The pressure is on.

He?s got to start showing bigger and better results this year.

Multiple small moves will no longer cut it. It?s time for bolder moves.

But we need to understand that it?s going to take a month or two for what will eventually be the current roster to settle in. If we don?t include any pitchers, there will be at least 5 new positional players making their debuts. The Front Office needs to see how well they adjust before making any changes.

I wrote last week about just how many holes the Tigers have. One can deduce that the team is still a good distance away from being seen as an October player.

Positionally, the outfield is fairly well-settled. There is actually a surplus of players both current and expected to make their debuts later in the season.

The bullpen is also looking pretty good.

It?s the starting pitching and infield that are of real concern and will require the most work. And that?s what Harris must address and significantly improve this year.

Today, let?s focus on the latter group ? the positional players. First, by reviewing where the holes and question marks are that Harris must address.

And there are a lot of them.....

More in the link.
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2024/01/27/deeper-discussions-103/
DEEPER DISCUSSIONS.
Totally Tigers

During the off-season, PoBO Scott Harris has emphasized a number of times that a team can?t have too many pitchers. And since the 2023 season ended, the Tigers have been very busy dropping and acquiring pitchers more than any other type of player.

So far, they have eliminated 21 pitchers through an opt out, DFA, free agency and trades. A few of those players have chosen to come back. Most of those leaving were on the minor league rosters.

On the other end, the Tigers have acquired 8 new pitchers. Half of them are expected to be on this year?s roster.

Harris has also said he?ll be looking for new pitchers throughout the season.

What do you believe is the single biggest reason for such a significant change in the organization?s pitching prospects?

Today?s blog addresses this dilemma 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 is the biggest reason for such a high turnover in the Tigers' pitching?

1. The new player development system has determined they have leveled out in their development.

2. The new Front Office is placing more focus on pitchers who control the strike zone, have a higher SO ratio and keep runners off the bases.

VOTE
 
Emergency Pod: Colt Keith signs contract extension.
TMLR
https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1RDGllOWRjgGL

Keith will make $28,642,500 over the first six years of the deal: $2.5M in 2024, $3.5M in 2025, $4M per season from 2026-27, and $5M per season from 2028-29. The deal also includes a $2M signing bonus, $10M club option for 2030 with a $2,642,500 buyout, $13M club option for 2031 with a $1M buyout, $15M club option for 2032 with a $2M buyout, and escalators for the club option salaries. If all options are escalated and exercised, the contract would be worth $82M over nine years.

https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/tigers-sign-colt-keith-to-6-year-extension
Tigers sign No. 2 prospect Keith to 6-year extension.
Phenom inks deal ahead of MLB debut; contract includes club options for 2030-32.
Tigers official site

https://www.blessyouboys.com/2024/1...gns-six-year-contract-plus-three-option-years
Detroit Tigers sign Colt Keith to six year contract, plus three option years.
The total contract value could reach $82 million with all options and accelerators.
BYBTB

https://motorcitybengals.com/posts/...d-risk-with-colt-keith-extension-01hn8hfcwznj
Scott Harris finally takes a calculated risk with a Colt Keith extension.
MCBTB

https://motorcitybengals.com/posts/...h-sign-him-to-contract-extension-01hn8dftdjj4
The Detroit Tigers see the future in Colt Keith, sign him to contract extension.
MCBTB

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/01/tigers-sign-colt-keith-to-six-year-extension.html
Tigers Sign Colt Keith To Six-Year Extension.
MLBTR

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/s...olt-keith-to-long-term-extension/72388236007/
Tigers lock up prospect Colt Keith through 2029, possibly beyond, with long-term extension.
Detnews

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...llion-9-years-contract-extension/72388149007/
Detroit Tigers sign Colt Keith to contract extension worth up to $82 million over 9 years.
Freep

https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2024/0...t-colt-keith-with-huge-deal-through-2032.html
Tigers lock up prospect Colt Keith with huge deal through 2032.
Mlive
 
Last edited:
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2024/01/29/didnt-see-this-coming/
DIDN’T SEE THIS COMING.
Totally Tigers

What perfect timing. Last week, I asked readers the question:

Should the Tigers buy out and extend the contracts of any young players?

The majority of voters (45%) said “Yes, but there are no candidates this year.”

What a silly group we are! It didn’t occur to us that we should have considered signing a prospect who has yet to play a single major league game to a 6-9 year contract.

The news was conveniently released on Sunday when the rest of Detroit-centric sports fans were focused on a football game. It’s a well-known strategy used by PR types to soften the social media frenzy and disperse the reactions more gently over a period of days.

Because it’s controversial. Because most fans aren’t going to understand it.

So before we dig in, let’s review the contract just awarded to Colt Keith. It starts this year and runs through 2029. And it all but guarantees that he will be this year’s starting 2Ber.

There are an additional 3 years with all of them being club options, not player ones. Scott Harris is only doing club option contracts, thankfully.

The details are as follows:
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2024/01/30/watercooler-wednesday-120/
WATERCOOLER WEDNESDAY.
Totally Tigers

Over the weekend, Scott Harris signed Colt Keith to a 6-9 year contract. Keith has yet to play in Detroit but ranks app. in the low-to-mid 20’s in the national rankings.

It’s a team-friendly deal but it does come with some risk. Keith’s salary runs from $2.5 – $5 mill per year guaranteed and with 3 additional years at club option.

The terms of his contract and details may be found here:
DIDN’T SEE THIS COMING
What do you think of this contract?

What do you think about the Colt Keith contract?

1. What a smart move!

2. Still trying to wrap my brain around it.

3. Don't like it.

VOTE
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2024/01/31/degrees-of-expertise/
DEGREES OF EXPERTISE.
Totally Tigers

With just a little over a year of observation, it’s become apparent that the Detroit Tigers have completely changed how they operate from a business perspective. The Colt Keith contract is just the latest example.

Part of the reason lies in the backgrounds of the Tigers’ PoBO, Scott Harris and GM Jeff Greenberg. They are part of the sweeping changes that have come to professional sports, esp. baseball.

Gone are the days when top baseball executives came from the game, scouted, managed or coached. Today, almost every single President and GM has a degree from an elite college with majors that are directly applicable to the sport – psychology, business, sports economics, finance, etc.?Almost none of them played baseball outside of college.

This applies to both Harris and Greenberg, however they also belong to an even higher level of baseball executives.

They have advanced degrees as well. Greenberg has a law degree and Harris has an MBA. A perfect match of both fields that helps a team make bigger and smarter decisions.

They are among the very few in MLB who possess those double degrees.

Who would have thought the Tigers would be leading the way?

Best of all, it’s paying off.

More in the link.....
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2024/02/01/five-for-friday-102/
FIVE FOR FRIDAY.
Totally Tigers

With the news of the Colt Keith contract, there has been discussion about what other Tigers may be signed to an extended contract while their careers are still in the early stages.

Of course, Spencer Torkelson’s name has come up. If you discount the concerns over his defensive skills, there is one huge reason why the Tigers won’t give him a similar deal.

Scott Boras, his agent.

Boras is on the record saying that he is against what are considered to be team-friendly contracts. His job is to get his clients as much money as he can.

And he’s very, very good at it. Boras takes almost every single client of his to free agency. His m.o. is to create demand and a bidding war between multiple teams in order to drive the price up.

You know the Tigers have to be thinking which of their perceived building blocks will be leaving the team once they hit free agency.

There are a couple, like Kerry Carpenter and Parker Meadows who do not have agents as of yet. But that can change.

But if we look at the current 40-man roster, as well as a list of their top prospects, which of these players is repped by Scott Boras?

Here is a list of the top 5:.....
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2024/02/03/deeper-discussions-104/
DEEPER DISCUSSIONS.
Totally Tigers

Last week, the Detroit Tigers surprised everyone by finalizing a long-term team-friendly contract with Colt Keith who has yet to play a single game at the MLB level.

And now we’re wondering if the Tigers are going to repeat their strategy with another player at some point in 2024.

In order for this to happen, we have to consider which players have less risk than others.

There are oft-injured players like Riley Greene who would not currently be good candidates, especially given that he’s just come off Tommy John surgery.

And then there are Scott Boras’ clients like Jackson Jobe, Jace Jung, Matt Manning, Tarik Skubal and Spencer Torkelson. Boras has been clear that his job is to get his clients as much money as possible.

So who may be the most likely to be on the short list for extension?

They are currently all outfielders.

KERRY CARPENTER – He was team’s best hitter overall last year and vastly improved his defense where he is no longer a defensive liability.

MAX CLARK – He is the Tigers’ top prospect and ranks among the top 20 in all of MLB. He is believed to become a multi-tool player and has surprised us all by being invited to spring training so early on.

PARKER MEADOWS – He has elite speed and in the short time he was with the Tigers at the end of last year, he is one of their best defensive players covering the most difficult position – CF.

If you could extend only 1 of these players, who would it be?

Today’s blog addresses this dilemma 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?

Who is the best candidate to be signed to a long-term contract?

1. Kerry Carpenter

2. Max Clark

3. Parker Meadows

VOTE
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2024/02/07/another-quiet-december/
ANOTHER QUIET DECEMBER.
Totally Tigers

What if they threw a party and no one came?

That’s exactly what the Tigers wanted to avoid. It’s been exactly 5 years now since they hosted the annual TigerFest. An annual event at Comerica where fans could come and tour the stadium, listen to speakers and get autographs.

It always sold out in minutes.

But it all stopped after the 2019 season.

You know why. Two straight years of 98 losses back-to-back followed by 114 losses in 2019.

Not a coincidence.....

But one of the biggest factors in what happens next off-season is a person who doesn’t play or even don a Tigers’ uniform.
 
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