https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pippwa01.shtml
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??..
Almost every positional player from 2022 will need to redeem/improve themselves for the new season. But for which player is it most crucial?
Javier Baez was signed to a 6-year, $140 million contract. The shortstop position is the lynchpin for defense and Baez racked up the most errors for any SS in MLB last year. His plate habits are poor and he also leads MLB in swinging at over 50% of pitches outside the strike zone.
Analysts tell us that Javy?s production last year was half of what was expected and that he will need to double his output for each of the next 5 years in order for the Tigers to break even on his contract.
And then there?s Spencer Torkelson, the Tigers #1 draft pick from 2020. After just 1 year in the minors, he was promoted to Detroit to become the team?s full-time first baseman but he struggled the entire year at the plate even after returning from a stint in Toledo to get help.
Torkelson has the distinction of earning MLB?s worst 1st round draft pick based upon first year stats. He is not guaranteed to make the 26-man roster for 2023 and there are hints that Scott Harris will put 1 of several new players at the first base position instead.
Which one of these players needs to improve the most?
The defensive key who has struggled with both bat and glove and is tied to a long-term contract? A contract that could become an albatross to the team?
Or the symbol of the Tigers? rebuild? The justification and presumed validation of years of tanking in order to get top prospects? A player who is the poster child of the Tigers? inability to properly develop talent? An athlete who has the chance to either bolster the team?s new player development system or one who could destroy the team?s purpose of tanking for talent?
Which player needs to have a better year the most?
1. Javier Baez
2. Spencer Torkelson
VOTE
