Welcome to Detroit Sports Forum!

By joining our community, you'll be able to connect with fellow fans that live and breathe Detroit sports just like you!

Get Started
  • If you are no longer able to access your account since our recent switch from vBulletin to XenForo, you may need to reset your password via email. If you no longer have access to the email attached to your account, please fill out our contact form and we will assist you ASAP. Thanks for your continued support of DSF.

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

https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/03/28/watercooler-wednesday-78/
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??..

Teams are rushing to finalize contract extensions with their top players before the start of the 2023 season. Of note are rumors about Shohei Ohtani who is entering his final year before becoming a free agent. In case you are not familiar with him, he is both a starting pitcher and accomplished hitter.

Some teams are already prepping themselves financially in advance of Ohtani?s free agency in case the Angels do not extend him. They are already committed to a lengthy contract with Mike Trout.

For the record, the Angels have not been to the playoffs in 9 years. Their last season over .500 was in 2015.

Ohtani is expected to command a contract of at least 10 years and worth over $500 mill. Many consider him to be MLB?s best player.

But it begs the question about whether paying 1 player a record amount of money is a sound decision. Is it better to add a contract similar to what Ohtani is expected to get (and pay your other players less) or is it better to spread your payroll out over a number of players?

Would you prefer to sign a superstar player like Ohtani just to be able to watch him regularly and be able to claim that he plays for your team?

As you know, the Tigers had a number of very expensive contracts and 2 of particular note: Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander.

When the Tigers become highly competitive again, if you are the owner or GM would you be tempted to throw a record amount of cash to 1 superstar again? Or is it better to spread that cash out among multiple players?

How would you allocate a significant amount of roster payroll?

1. I would be willing to give a significant portion of payroll to 1 superstar player.

2. I would spread out a large chunk of payroll among multiple players.

VOTE
 
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
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/04/01/deeper-discussions-67/
DEEPER DISCUSSIONS.
Totally Tigers

Detroit Tigers? PoBO Scott Harris has a long priority list of what he wants to change with the team.

One of the first is controlling the strike zone on both sides of the plate. For pitchers, it?s throwing more strikes. For hitters, it?s having better plate discipline, not swinging outside the strike zone, working counts and striking out less. This will generate fewer runs being given up and more offense.

The second priority is development of the prospects and especially those young players like Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson, Nick Maton, Matt Vierling, Justyn-Henry Mallow and others. They are the future of this team.

If you could pick just one of these two to be the top priority, which one would it be? A focus on the overall roster or the acceleration of top prospects?

Which one is more important? Which one will get the team more competitive faster? Which one will create more sustainability?

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?

Which strategy for improvement would be your top priority?

1. Controlling the strike zone on both sides of the plate.

2. Focus on development of top prospects and young players.

VOTE
 
I'm starting to wonder if Harris has bitten off more than he can chew. Trying to change the entire organization AND act as the GM. Maybe he should have hired a qualified GM to handle player acquisition and the other duties associated with that job.
 
I'm starting to wonder if Harris has bitten off more than he can chew. Trying to change the entire organization AND act as the GM. Maybe he should have hired a qualified GM to handle player acquisition and the other duties associated with that job.

I would think that he bit off more than he could chew if it was 2025 and we have the same types of players. He did say that he will land a GM, probably after he feels comfortable with some additions and player development showing from the minors to Detroit.
 
I would think that he bit off more than he could chew if it was 2025 and we have the same types of players. He did say that he will land a GM, probably after he feels comfortable with some additions and player development showing from the minors to Detroit.

probably true.

I just feel that if the entire franchise is in need of an overhaul, him trying to accomplish that and play the role of a GM, is too much.
 
probably true.

I just feel that if the entire franchise is in need of an overhaul, him trying to accomplish that and play the role of a GM, is too much.

It is the first week of a new regime in a new season. Let's wait and see what moves he makes leading up to and after the all-star break. There is a shitload to overhaul from the decades of inertia of past front office people....

Clown Shoes Al Avila just a complete clusterfuck of everything top to bottom,
Dave Dombrowski PoBO and GM most successful but destroyed the minors of any players and no upgrade to coaching staff and player development, to bring up by trading them for big name players.
 
It is the first week of a new regime in a new season. Let's wait and see what moves he makes leading up to and after the all-star break. There is a shitload to overhaul from the decades of inertia of past front office people....

Clown Shoes Al Avila just a complete clusterfuck of everything top to bottom,
Dave Dombrowski PoBO and GM most successful but destroyed the minors of any players and no upgrade to coaching staff and player development, to bring up by trading them for big name players.
You think he's going to make moves now.. All offseason he got us nothing to help the major league team he's not getting us anything. Its time the fan base stops blaming the guy before .. Why does the new guy always want to start a new rebuild. There were mid level guys we could have added this offseason.
 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podca...f-detroit-tigers/id1674627945?i=1000607216957
Days of Roar Tigers Podcast: Sound the alarm? What to make of Detroit Tigers after a nightmare in Tampa Bay. 1 Hour.

This week, Mark and Evan are breaking down the less than stellar start to the 2023 Tigers season. Offensive woes may not be new but did the bullpen regress from last year? Is there any resilience or swagger on this team? Is it time to hit the panic button? How are Evan and Mark feeling about their team projections for the year? Later, the guys talk which minor leaguers they're keeping their eyes on.
 
All season long, we?ll come together to honor a living legend and say #GraciasMiggy.
Tigers official site

The Tigers' marketing and ticket sales departments are working overtime, especially after this weekend's games.

They are thankful for Miggy, who is still the fans' favorite player. They are planning no less than 8 special events for him throughout the season. But once he leaves, what's the plan if the Tigers are still god-awful next year?

It's so bad that many Opening Day tickets are still available. Stats show that after 5 years, fans depart in large numbers and it takes years to get them back. It's been 7 years so far in tanking/rebuilding.

Totally Tigers
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/04/11/watercooler-wednesday-80/
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??..

For multiple years now, the Detroit Tigers have failed to control the strike zone, leading them to sit at the bottom of most offensive categories. Last year, they set a record for lowest offense.

PoBO Scott Harris said that controlling the strike zone ? on both sides of the plate ? is the priority. Teams with hitters who do that best score more runs and get to play October baseball.

In the Tigers first 9 games of this year, they have MLB?s 3rd highest strikeout rate (26.9%), 5th lowest walk rate (7.4%), 5th highest chase rate (32.4%) and the sixth-lowest contact rate (73.5%).

The team hired Anthony Iapoce, a well-known hitting guru to take over AAA Toledo and instill a more disciplined hitting strategy with their prospects. They also hired well-known hitting coaches for the MLB level.

But it does take time for coaches to get to know players and figure out how to best advise them. And the learning process is not linear. It takes awhile for players to practice at a level where new techniques come more easily and consistently.

But how much change can Detroit?s new coaches inspire? Do results come mainly from coaching or from talent? Or is it a bit of both?

Currently, we are seeing very little proof that Detroit?s hitters have changed their approach at the plate. Is it too early?

Will it take longer? Or is this something that is too hard to change?

When do you believe we will start to see fewer strikeouts, more walks and a lower chase rate?
When do you believe we will start to see improvement in controlling the strike zone?

1. 1-2 months.

2. Second half of the season.

3. Not with this current group of players.

VOTE
 
I brought up the point that Harris could be in over his head because he didn't hire a GM. I wonder if the plan the entire time was to elevate AJ Hinch to the GM role after this season.

I can't really think of any other explanation.
 
I brought up the point that Harris could be in over his head because he didn't hire a GM. I wonder if the plan the entire time was to elevate AJ Hinch to the GM role after this season.

I can't really think of any other explanation.
Gotta be better than his coaching abilities. But that would be a terrible idea.
 
Back
Top