https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/03/31/saturday-survey-71/
SATURDAY SURVEY.
Totally Tigers
Breaking news! Just as we were about to go to print this evening, a national report is just starting to trickle out from the West Coast that involves a potential trade between the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels.
Over the winter, Angels? owner Arte Moreno made statements about selling the team and then retracted them weeks later. It is believed that the team?s inability to win at the most important levels, combined with one of MLB?s highest payrolls were factors in his decision to sell. While Moreno started receiving bids, they were lower than expected. Part of the reason has been attributed to the team?s very high operating expenses.
LA currently has a payroll that exceeds the luxury tax threshold. There are multiple players, including Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon, who are each making close to $40 mill/year on long-term contracts. Even having Trout on the roster has not helped the team reach the playoffs since their only appearance in 2014. They are tied with the Tigers with having the longest playoff drought in MLB.
Another one of those players is Shohei Ohtani who is in his last year before hitting free agency. It is expected that he will command a new record-breaking contract that the Angels can no longer afford. They are looking to trade him while his value is at its highest and before they get nothing in return. It is believed that the sooner they trade him, the more they are likely to get.
Similar to the trade that brought Miguel Cabrera to the Tigers, Angels GM Perry Minasian and Tigers? PoBO, Scott Harris have been discussing a trade that would include multiple team-controlled young players in exchange for one of MLB?s best athletes.
Conveniently, Cabrera?s contract ends after this year, freeing up substantial payroll for the Tigers. It is also expected that both Eduardo Rodriguez and Javier Baez will opt out of their contracts if they have good years. They are the only 2 remaining players with relatively expensive contracts.
In return for Ohtani, it is being reported that the Angels would receive Riley Greene, Colt Keith, Jace Jung and Parker Meadows. All team-controlled players who would help bring down the Angels? payroll.
We will update this report as we hear more.
Turning now to the Tigers, this is a difficult time for fans. A rebuild that failed to work and a new regime in charge of putting this team back on the right path.
We?ve had to endure a rebuild for the last 6 years (officially). However, all of those who were in charge of getting this team back to a competitive level, have been fired. There is a whole new cast and crew acquired from multiple organizations known for having top talent and well-rated Front Offices. Many new members have experience in successfully completing rebuilds with other teams.
This is the first year under the new personnel and huge improvements are not expected in 2023.
But this is a turning of the page. The Tigers have completely changed how they build an organization and gather/develop players.
As the 2023 season starts, how are you preparing yourself as you watch this team develop? What are you feeling?
How are you feeling about the 2023 season now that there is a new Front Office in charge?
1. Optimistic/hopeful
2. Cautious
3. Pessimistic
VOTE
