Tigers 2024-2025 Offseason: Trades, Free Agents, Call ups, Rule 5, tender, non-tender, Awards

[tomdalton22]

PLANTING, NOT YET HARVESTING

by Holly Horning The Detroit Tigers may not have made more than 1 acquisition over the Winter Meetings, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t really busy. There is lots going on. But…

totallytigers.wordpress.com

PLANTING, NOT YET HARVESTING.
Totally Tigers

The Detroit Tigers may not have made more than 1 acquisition over the Winter Meetings, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t really busy. There is lots going on.
But the majority of their moves won’t be made for weeks yet. Maybe even months. Let’s not forget that the Hot Stove season just really started and there are 2 more months to go.
Keep in mind that most deals come after the biggest free agents have signed. Teams that lose out on their top picks now have to re-allocate their dollars and re-adjust their goals. After the Soto signing, the trade and free agent markets will loosen up a little and the other significant free agents will start to sign, freeing up everyone else.
So what have the Tigers been doing? Here are my biggest takeaways so far.

"Scott Harris confirmed that they are going after Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki. Since the new Front Office took over, they have been developing a program to go after Japanese players including hiring Japanese scouts and coaches.

A distinct advantage for the Tigers is that Kenta Maeda is helping recruit him. He is revered over in Japan.

Just maybe that money not being spent is being saved for Sasaki."

This doesn't make too much sense. Sasaki is a international free agent. Isn't his signing limited to the international free agent signing bonus pool already set in place? I think the Tigers have around $7M to spend on all international free agents, tied with a few other teams. Just spend it all on this kid.

 

[gotime909]

"Scott Harris confirmed that they are going after Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki. Since the new Front Office took over, they have been developing a program to go after Japanese players including hiring Japanese scouts and coaches.

A distinct advantage for the Tigers is that Kenta Maeda is helping recruit him. He is revered over in Japan.

Just maybe that money not being spent is being saved for Sasaki."

This doesn't make too much sense. Sasaki is a international free agent. Isn't his signing limited to the international free agent signing bonus pool already set in place? I think the Tigers have around $7M to spend on all international free agents, tied with a few other teams. Just spend it all on this kid.

Exactly, they're in on him because he'd be a 200m+ contract on the open market. This is a cheap way to get a good pitcher. Give him every penny of that 7m they have.

 

[tomdalton22]

Since they seem intent on signing "reclamation projects", why not go after the biggest one out there. Sign Trevor Bauer to a one year deal.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Exactly, they're in on him because he'd be a 200m+ contract on the open market. This is a cheap way to get a good pitcher. Give him every penny of that 7m they have.

They signed the 4th best IFA guy just recent. 16 year old Power Arm RF. And that used up about 3.5 of the IFA budget. Not sure they have enough to get Sasaki. And those guys seem to like the west coast but I can dream.

 

[tomdalton22]

They signed the 4th best IFA guy just recent. 16 year old Power Arm RF. And that used up about 3.5 of the IFA budget. Not sure they have enough to get Sasaki. And those guys seem to like the west coast but I can dream.

That was last years budget. The guy we are talking about will go against the 2025 international signing, which doesn't start until Jan 15, 2025

 

[Mitchrapp]

That was last years budget. The guy we are talking about will go against the 2025 international signing, which doesn't start until Jan 15, 2025

Did not know that. I think I got my dates all mixed up

 

[tomdalton22]

Did not know that. I think I got my dates all mixed up

I would never have know either. I heard it on MLB radio the other day.

 

[gotime909]

I think I heard there were like 6 teams with 7m in international funds and detroit was one of them.

 

[tomdalton22]

I think I heard there were like 6 teams with 7m in international funds and detroit was one of them.

Cincinnati Reds
Detroit Tigers
Miami Marlins
Milwaukee Brewers
Minnesota Twins
Oakland Athletics
Seattle Mariners
Tampa Bay Rays

 

[Mitchrapp]

Cincinnati Reds
Detroit Tigers
Miami Marlins
Milwaukee Brewers
Minnesota Twins
Oakland Athletics
Seattle Mariners
Tampa Bay Rays

This list - those are not the teams I'd expect to be in on the top guy. So many mid west teams. Guys from Japan seem to like the west coast so maybe Seattle has the best chance.

 

[tomdalton22]

This list - those are not the teams I'd expect to be in on the top guy. So many mid west teams. Guys from Japan seem to like the west coast so maybe Seattle has the best chance.

Those are the teams with the most money available to sign him. That said, the difference between those teams and the next few levels down isn't that great.

Here is the list

2025 International Signing Bonus Pools For Each MLB Team

Major League Baseball informed clubs what their international bonus pools will be for the 2025 international signing period.

www.baseballamerica.com

 

[Mitchrapp]

Those are the teams with the most money available to sign him. That said, the difference between those teams and the next few levels down isn't that great.

Here is the list

2025 International Signing Bonus Pools For Each MLB Team

Major League Baseball informed clubs what their international bonus pools will be for the 2025 international signing period.

www.baseballamerica.com

I assume IFA can take less and go wherever they want?

 

[tomdalton22]

I assume IFA can take less and go wherever they want?

Yes. They are free agents. Most teams don't offer their entire bonus pool to one player, but this guy may be the exception. I think you are right, he will probably end up on a west coast team.

 

[kalinecountry]

Tigers' silence on Casey Mize suggests there's still a lot to solve with rotation

Predicting the Detroit Tigers 2025 starting rotation after Alex Cobb's signing and with an unknown future for Casey Mize.

motorcitybengals.com

Tigers' silence on Casey Mize suggests there's still a lot to solve with rotation.
MCBTB

 

[kalinecountry]

Alex Bregman 'open to a lot of things' in free agency, including Detroit Tigers

Alex Bregman, a free-agent third baseman, is a two-time World Series champion who has competed in the postseason in each of the past eight seasons.

www.freep.com

Alex Bregman 'open to a lot of things' in free agency, including Detroit Tigers.
Freep

Speculated Alex Bregman social media activity gets Tigers fans irrationally excited

Alex Bregman following Max Clark, Spencer Torkelson, and Miguel Cabrera on Instagram got Tigers fans excited as his market heats up.

motorcitybengals.com

Speculated Alex Bregman social media activity gets Tigers fans irrationally excited.
MCBTB

 

[gotime909]

I also saw that you can trade for money too. Like 250,000 per trade. But there's a cap on how much total you can trade for. Never realized how much went into this lol