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Al Avila is Terminated! That's right he was Fired! Now Asst. GM Chadd is Fired!

https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/01/06/saturday-survey-59/
SATURDAY SURVEY.
Totally Tigers

We are learning just how tight-lipped President of Baseball Operations, Scott Harris, is. Ever the diplomat, he is loathe to criticize or reveal negative information about former executives and current players. While he has offered general details about the direction and action of the team, he sidesteps questions that ask for more information.

We are also learning that he has been very busy hiring but that the announcements are not made for weeks.

Harris is reminiscent of Dave Dombrowksi when he was the GM.
Al Avila, Dave?s successor, was anything but. He would regularly reveal exactly what was on his mind, what he was doing and shared details of failures and strategies for the world ? and other teams ? to hear.

Fans were upset with Avila?s desire to broadcast everything but now they are frustrated with Harris playing everything so close to the vest.
As a fan, which leader?s style do you prefer?

Which communication style do you prefer?

1. Harris ? Sharing as little as possible gives him leverage and helps make for better deals.

2. Avila ? I wanted to know as much as possible about what he was doing.

3. Neither - I guess I should be careful about what I wish for....

VOTE
 
Each passing day seems to reinforce just how poor former Detroit Tigers GM Al Avila was in judging and trading for talent. A major reason for the huge backslide in 2022 team performance.

New PoBO Scott Harris cut 16 of Avila's choices from the roster. Only 2 of them have new MLB contracts but they are 1-year contracts with bad teams and at reduced pay. More than half of those players remaining are still unemployed for next year.

Out of those 14 left, apparently half have signed minor league contracts. The lastest? Elvin Rodriquez. Avila acquired him and Grayson Long in exchange for Justin Upton. Long retired from baseball 1 year after the trade.

Totally Tigers
 
Grab a cocktail before reading this. After all those years of tanking, the Detroit Tigers have 1, count 'em, 1 player in the top 100. Is this more of statement about Al Avila's incompetency, the poor player development system - or are both equally guilty?

The lone ranked Tiger, RHP Jackson Jobe, lands at No. 83 in BA rankings, but players drafted just behind him are No. 5, 10 and 13.

The Tigers were expected to pick Marcelo Mayer but teams were stunned when they passed and selected Jackson Jobe. Mayer ranks #10 in prospects.

Ryan Garko, VP Player Development, certainly has his hands full. This will be a year of trying to undo the damage from the previous regime. How many reclamation project prospects will they be working with?

Totally Tigers
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/01/26/five-for-friday-57/
FIVE FOR FRIDAY.
Totally Tigers

Scott Harris continues to dig and address all of the many issues surrounding the Tigers. Some of them more visible than others.

But the problems don?t stop once the 2023 season starts. In fact, many of them will become even more glaring and increasingly in need of a fix.

There have always been stories and examples of some of the problems they?ve never been able to address properly.

Until maybe now.
And that is today?s theme.

If we exclude discussion of the roster, what problems does Scott Harris need to solve that impact the roster the most?

I?ve got my top 5.

CORPORATE CULTURE.

DEPTH.

IDENTICAL HITTERS.

INJURIES.

LEADERSHIP.
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/01/31/watercooler-wednesday-70/
WATERCOOLER WEDNESDAY.
Totally Tigers

Today, another opportunity for readers to discuss the hottest topics in a forum where thoughtful dialog and a variety of opinions are welcomed.

Let?s create some running conversational threads. And for those of you back in actual offices, here?s a question to take with you ? or use via Zoom ? as you talk to your co-workers.

Here is today?s topic??..

In less than 2 weeks, spring training starts. The Tigers have invited 62 players with 22 of those being non-roster invites. Here is how they break down:

9 LHP (4 new players).

22 RHP (11 new players).

For a maximum of 14 pitchers on the roster.

8 catchers (6 new players).

For 2 open positions.

16 infielders (10 new players).

For app. 7 open positions.

7 outfielders (2 new players).

For app. 4-5 open positions.

Do you like that Scott Harris has added so many potential candidates? Are more options better than fewer?

Do you feel he?s also addressing depth and using spring training to assess talent to a better degree?

Or do you believe this is more of a statement about the previous regime?s failure to build a competitive roster?

Is this more about the holes that exist and the search to fill them?

Which of these 2 options do you feel gives a more accurate read on the purpose of all these invites?

The spring training invites says more about...

1. Scott Harris' strategy of rebuilding, assessing talent and adding depth.

2. The failures of the previous regime.

VOTE
 
Isn't it interesting that so many Detroit Tiger fans are directing more of their anger towards an owner who isn't spending on the roster (but spending a lot on the infrastructure) this year instead of placing the majority of the blame on the former GM who blew the rebuild?

There's certainly enough blame to go around but this team started regressing again over the past year+ under Al Avila. A farm system that now once again ranks at #30 and is described as having no depth other than pitching. And fewer prospects showing up on top 100 lists.

Consider is that this team has taken 1-2 steps backwards and is not yet ready to invest in free agents until the new Front Office digs out of the mess created by the former GM. Will adding a couple new players actually make this team better when there are so many holes to fill?

Totally Tigers
 
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