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

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
 
The final member of Tigers' coaching staff is Tim Federowicz, a former MLB catcher who served as manager at Triple-A Tacoma in the Mariners' system last year.

Introducing the 2023 coaching staff under manager A.J. Hinch. 10 Coaches.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fm112JtaAA4CHPR?format=jpg&name=medium

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/01/tigers-hire-tim-federowicz-as-catching-coach.html
Tigers Hire Tim Federowicz As Catching Coach.
MLBTR

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...aff-2023-tim-federowicz-catching/69822245007/
Detroit Tigers hire Tim Federowicz as catching coach to complete coaching staff for 2023.
Freep

https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2023/0...-coaching-staff-by-adding-catching-coach.html
Tigers finalize 2023 coaching staff by adding catching coach.
Mlive
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/01/19/five-for-friday-56/
FIVE FOR FRIDAY.
Totally Tigers

The Tigers are going into a new season in which a large portion of the roster will not be finalized until late March. There is going to be a great deal of competition for every single position, possibly with the lone exception of CF.

PoBO Scott Harris has already started clearing out the dead wood by axing 16 players and adding a different 16, most acquired from sources outside the system. He is, for the most part, wiping the slate clean.

Yes, it?s a little disconcerting that we don?t yet have a real handle on the level of talent. But it?s also exciting. Intriguing.

We?re going to have a lot of new things to watch. We have no idea what this roster will look like until the dust settles.

But the fact that we know little to nothing about the new players shouldn?t necessarily be equated with disappointment. At least not yet.

All of these players need to be given a chance to showcase their stuff. They can?t be written off before they even don the Olde English D.

Let?s remember how many fans were down on J. D. Martinez at first based upon his earlier reputation. Let?s not jump the gun and make assumptions before we?ve given them all a chance. Not one single fan would want the same done to them as they moved to a new company or position.

And this is what I?m looking forward to seeing. I see this all as a symbol of turning the page and getting a fresh start.

It is better than the alternative of jumping to conclusions about a team before a single pitch has been thrown.

I?d rather watch some young, promising players than seeing the same old, same old faces that kept appearing because there was no one else. I know I?m not the only one who was ready to scream if I had to spend another year watching the Castros, Reyes, Stewart and Cameron.

So who will I be most interested in watching this spring ? and hopefully during the season? I?ve got my top 5 which was unusually hard to narrow down. My guidelines for choosing focused on position players only who are likely to see time in Detroit this year.
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/01/20/saturday-survey-61/
SATURDAY SURVEY.
Totally Tigers

The Detroit Tigers are expected to significantly overhaul their roster for the 2023 season, esp. when it comes to positional players.

They have significant holes at C, 1B and 3B and additional ones in the outfield.

Scott Harris cut 16 players from the roster with only 2 of them going on to earn new MLB jobs. Another 4-5 have signed minor league contracts and the rest remain unemployed.

He added 16 new players from other organizations. Some of them with a little MLB experience and others ranked as top prospects. A few are classified as having elite skills in defense and speed. All of them possess much better offensive skills in terms of plate discipline, working counts, lower strike outs and higher walk totals.

There are 2 new catchers who will compete/work with Jake Rogers and Eric Haase. Three new players who will vie for the 3B job and a couple who could compete against Spencer Torkelson for the 1B position. A few who also fit the needs for Harris? outfield.
How do you feel about the significant influx of new players?

How do you feel about the significant influx of new players?

1. Looking forward to seeing how they may do.

2. I?ll wait to see them play before deciding.

3. Not thrilled w/no interest in seeing them play first.

VOTE
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/01/21/deeper-discussions-58/
DEEPER DISCUSSIONS.
Totally Tigers

Scott Harris once indicated that the Tigers may acquire someone to play first base on a short-term basis. It was a hint that Spencer Torkelson would have to earn that spot all over again.

Recently, A. J. Hinch indicated that the position was Tork?s to lose.

Torkelson was fine defensively but struggled mightily at the plate. So much so that he ranked at the very bottom of all #1 draft picks in first year performance.

AAA hitting coach Adam Melhuse was sent to AZ this winter to work with Tork. The results are unknown however Melhuse has now been demoted within the organization.

This past week, the Tigers sent all of their new hitting coaches to AZ to meet with Spencer. Of concern have been reports that he has refused to change his swing.

Meanwhile, the Tigers hired hitting guru Anthony Iapoce to manage the Mud Hens. He is there to address the lack of offensive training and the Tigers? inability to produce strong hitters.

Should Torkelson be allowed to prove himself again in Detroit this year?
The Tigers have now been without a full-time 1Ber for 3 continuous years.

Or should he take a step back in order to potentially take 2 steps forward? Should he spend some or most of the year in Toledo working with Iapoce?

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 respond to as many other readers as you want.

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

Where should Spencer Torkelson spend the 2023 season?

1. Start in Detroit if he has a great spring training.

2. Start him in Toledo and see how he does first.

3. Have him spend most of the year in Toledo.

VOTE
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/01/23/attitude-or-environment/
ATTITUDE OR ENVIRONMENT?
Totally Tigers

As we get closer to spring training, we start to think about all those loose ends from last year. The question marks. The concerns.

The hot topics.

And there is nothing hotter than continued speculation about Spencer Torkelson?s future.

Afterall, he was the #1 draft pick and poster child who would help validate the rationale for why the Tigers decided to tank.

But should we blame Tork for what happened ? or didn?t happen ? last year? Did he burst our bubble?

The answer is no.
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/01/24/watercooler-wednesday-69/
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??..

Under the Tigers? old regime, the organization focused almost all of their attention on developing pitchers, not positional players. This resulted in a lack of depth throughout the team?s minor league system, especially with infielders.

Going into the 2023 season, there are more question marks than solutions for each position.

It remains to be seen if Jake Rogers can recapture his defensive form at catcher.

It is yet unknown if Spencer Torkelson will be able to hit enough in order to keep his job at 1B.

Jonathan Schoop had the best defensive stats in all of MLB at 2B but he had a horrible year offensively. His contract runs out after the 2023 season and potentially he may be traded before that.

After the non-tender of Jeimer Candelario, there is no heir apparent at 3B.

Javy Baez has 5 more years and $117 mill on his contract at SS. Last year, he led all of MLB with the most errors as a SS.

All of this is why such a large percentage of the players acquired by the Tigers this off-season were positional players.

Several of them are catchers. Most of them have experience at 2B, 3B and SS. One or two have just a smidge of experience at 1B.

A. J. Hinch has said that there will be tryouts for almost all positions this spring. And there are multiple candidates for almost every position.

Depending upon what they see, should the team focus on working around the 2B and SS positions held by Schoop and Baez or should they focus on creating the strongest infield possible? That may mean that Schoop plays 1B and 2B while Baez potentially moves to either 2B or 3B. That is if there are new players who have strong spring trainings working 2B and/or SS.
What do you think?

Should the Tigers consider re-arranging their infield depending upon what they see during spring training?

1. Yes, even if that means moving Schoop and/or Baez.

2. No, keep Schoop and Baez at 2B and SS.

VOTE
 
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
 
It tells me that he didn't find a good catcher or any good infielders this off season so they are bringing in a bunch hoping something works out.
 
So Harris's strategy is to find suitable replacements for bad players by inviting players who are bad. Excellent.
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/02/02/five-for-friday-58/
FIVE FOR FRIDAY.
Totally Tigers

Similar to what the rest of MLB teams are doing, the Detroit Tigers Scott Harris and A. J. Hinch said they will be working towards achieving defensive flexibility during the 2023 season. It offers many advantages including elevating the trade value of players, giving the team an ability to create the best lineups from day to day and adding depth when players have to go on the IL.

They emphasized that no one (other than Miguel Cabrera for obvious reasons) is a slam dunk to earn 1 single positional slot. Excluding the outfield, there are 5 ? 9 players who will be auditioning for each non-pitching position.

This begs the question of the best use of Jonathan Schoop. Defensively, he is one of the top players at 2nd base. But last year was his worst year offensively.

There are 9 other players who will try out at 2nd base this spring. And the Tigers have 2 other promising prospects waiting in the wings who could possibly see Detroit before the end of the year.

Keep in mind that Harris said there will be an emphasis on playing the young kids. Ensuring that they get enough reps to allow their talent to be accurately assessed as well as facilitating proper development.

So what will the team do with Schoop this year?

I?ve got 5 options.
 
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