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

[kalinecountry]

IT’S NOT THAT SIMPLE – Part 2.

by Holly Horning On Tuesday, we started addressing the factors that go into the creation of the Opening Day roster. A number of elements that are based upon an overall strategy and limitation…

totallytigers.wordpress.com

IT’S NOT THAT SIMPLE – Part 2.
Totally Tigers

On Tuesday, we started addressing the factors that go into the creation of the Opening Day roster. A number of elements that are based upon an overall strategy and limitations rather than simply selecting the best performers.
What they all had in common were contractual and team-controlled obligations.

 

[kalinecountry]

DEEPER DISCUSSIONS

The 2024 baseball season starts later this week. Scott Harris is going into his 2nd year as the PoBO and now Jeff Greenberg has joined him as the GM. The Tigers have tweaked 2 infield positio…

totallytigers.wordpress.com

DEEPER DISCUSSIONS.
Totally Tigers

The 2024 baseball season starts later this week. Scott Harris is going into his 2nd year as the PoBO and now Jeff Greenberg has joined him as the GM.
The Tigers have tweaked 2 infield positions and 2 outfield slots while overhauling their starting rotation and making significant changes to their bullpen. At least 3 rookies are expected to make their debuts during the coming year.
But some struggles remain with several players and an offense that needs significant help. However, there has been more competition for roster openings, unlike previous years.

As we await that first pitch, what are your thoughts about the new season?
Are you excited about what may happen?
Are you looking forward to watching this team more?
Or do you think the Tigers haven’t done enough?
Today’s assignment is to tell us what you’re thinking and why when you consider what the 2024 season may bring.

How are you feeling about what the 2024 season may bring?

1. I am very excited about the new season.

2. I'm leaning somewhat more positive about my expectations of the new season.

3. I'm not sure how I feel right now.

4. I'm not feeling very positive about the new season.

VOTE

 

[kalinecountry]

FIVE FOR FRIDAY

by Holly Horning Now that the Detroit Tigers’ PoBO Scott Harris has been in the job for 1 full year, the 2024 season should prove to be much more interesting. Whenever a franchise makes…

totallytigers.wordpress.com

FIVE FOR FRIDAY.
Totally Tigers

Now that the Detroit Tigers’ PoBO Scott Harris has been in the job for 1 full year, the 2024 season should prove to be much more interesting. Whenever a franchise makes a significant change in its leaders, you have to expect that the first year will be filled with analysis and righting the ship.
Much of that (but not all) should be over with the priority now becoming moving forward and throwing off the last of the world’s longest rebuild.

The Tigers have played 6 games through their first week of the new season so it’s still fairly difficult to make any meaty observations from that handful of games. However, we can identify some of the biggest stories that will play out this season. Stories that will impact how quickly – or how slowly – this team gets up to speed.
Today, I’ve got 5 significant stories we all need to follow this year.....

 

[kalinecountry]

CORPORATE CROSS POLLINATION

by Holly Horning Recently, I was watching a Tigers’ game and a Little Caesar’s ad broke out in the middle of it. The strange thing was that the broadcast hadn’t gone to comm…

totallytigers.wordpress.com

CORPORATE CROSS POLLINATION.
Totally Tigers

 

[kalinecountry]

WATERCOOLER WEDNESDAY

The hottest trend in home run celebrations (or “celly” as the players call them) continues to survive into the new season. It is when players use designated props in their dugout …

totallytigers.wordpress.com

WATERCOOLER WEDNESDAY.
Totally Tigers

The hottest trend in home run celebrations (or “celly” as the players call them) continues to survive into the new season. It is when players use designated props in their dugout to celebrate a HR being hit.
Last year, the Tigers’ celly was donning a Red Wings helmet, grabbing a hockey stick and make a shot into a net. This year, it’s a spear with 3 faux pepperoni pizzas on top just like the Little Caesar’s logo.
How the Tigers came up with this year’s version and the strategy behind it can be read in yesterday’s blog.

The Tigers’ are MLB’s only team to not have their celly tied to their name, the city of Detroit or the Michigan region. Approximately one-third of teams refuse to introduce a dugout celebration.
So what do you think of the Tigers’ 2024 version with the spear and pizza?

What do you think about the Tigers' newest HR celebration?

1. It's a fun and smart marketing move.

2. It's boring.

3. It's tacky.

4. It's stupid.

VOTE

 

[kalinecountry]

THE BLACK HOLE

by Holly Horning (with apologies to Simon and Garfunkel) Where have you gone, Alan Trammell? This Tiger nation turns its lonely eyes to you….. Ugh, just when you thought the shortstop s…

totallytigers.wordpress.com

THE BLACK HOLE. (at shortstop).
Totally Tigers

 

[kalinecountry]

FIVE FOR FIVE

by Holly Horning How do we more accurately evaluate how well the Detroit Tigers will perform this year? Do we go with the assumption that they finished in 2nd place last year and improved their rec…

totallytigers.wordpress.com

Five for Five.
Totally Tigers

 

[kalinecountry]

FIVE FOR FRIDAY

by Holly Horning Now that Scott Harris and some of A. J. Hinch’s coaches have a year of experience with the Tigers under their belts, now is the time to start looking at this team to see if a…

totallytigers.wordpress.com

FIVE FOR FRIDAY.
Totally Tigers

Now that Scott Harris and some of A. J. Hinch’s coaches have a year of experience with the Tigers under their belts, now is the time to start looking at this team to see if any fundamental changes have been made.
Changes that are different than their previous m.o. And yes, there are, including some noticeable ones.
Without further adieu, here are the 5 most prominent and positive changes I am seeing....

 

[kalinecountry]

REALITY BITES

by Holly Horning It’s tough being a Detroit Tiger fan. It’s been almost a decade since we’ve had something to really cheer about. The world’s longest failed rebuild.&n…

totallytigers.wordpress.com

REALITY BITES.
Totally Tigers

 

[kalinecountry]

THE HUNGRY HEART

by Holly Horning When Scott Harris was hired just a little over a year ago, he indicated that the type of players he would acquire would be different than those selected by his predecessor. He poin…

totallytigers.wordpress.com

THE HUNGRY HEART.
Totally Tigers

 

[kalinecountry]

FIVE FOR FRIDAY

by Holly Horning There seems to be some debate about how good the Detroit Tigers really are this year and how far they can go. Some point to the much better start this season and current record tha…

totallytigers.wordpress.com

FIVE FOR FRIDAY.
Totally Tigers

There seems to be some debate about how good the Detroit Tigers really are this year and how far they can go.
Some point to the much better start this season and current record that shows the team playing above .500. Others claim the improvement seen at the end of last year is proof of better play.
On the other end, some say the AL Central standings are misleading. Others use offensive stats to show that this team is still a work in progress.

So what is the best way to evaluate the Tigers’ performance and chances for a higher finish to the 2024 season?
It all has to do with stats and where they rank in MLB that will give us a better and more accurate way to evaluate. This team has to be compared with the other 29 franchises (or at the very least, the other 4 teams in the AL Central) in order to put a proper context to their play.
Here are the top 5 rankings fans need to watch throughout the year………

 

[@Stakesarehigh]

FIVE FOR FRIDAY

by Holly Horning There seems to be some debate about how good the Detroit Tigers really are this year and how far they can go. Some point to the much better start this season and current record tha…

totallytigers.wordpress.com

FIVE FOR FRIDAY.
Totally Tigers

There seems to be some debate about how good the Detroit Tigers really are this year and how far they can go.
Some point to the much better start this season and current record that shows the team playing above .500. Others claim the improvement seen at the end of last year is proof of better play.
On the other end, some say the AL Central standings are misleading. Others use offensive stats to show that this team is still a work in progress.

So what is the best way to evaluate the Tigers’ performance and chances for a higher finish to the 2024 season?
It all has to do with stats and where they rank in MLB that will give us a better and more accurate way to evaluate. This team has to be compared with the other 29 franchises (or at the very least, the other 4 teams in the AL Central) in order to put a proper context to their play.
Here are the top 5 rankings fans need to watch throughout the year………

They are 5 to 7th best in the AL. All comes down to how they hit. Definitely not enough in the lineup to beat the best teams consistently.

 

[kalinecountry]

DEEPER DISCUSSIONS

We all know that every team wanting to make the playoffs needs 4 things: solid offense, stellar defense, a lock-down bullpen and both #1 and #2 starting pitchers. Speaking of the latter, Tari…

totallytigers.wordpress.com

DEEPER DISCUSSIONS.
Totally Tigers

We all know that every team wanting to make the playoffs needs 4 things: solid offense, stellar defense, a lock-down bullpen and both #1 and #2 starting pitchers.

Speaking of the latter, Tarik Skubal is pitching like a #1 starter. But do the Tigers have a #2?
Not yet. But they need to put one in place for next year.

Which brings us to whether that person is currently part of the franchise.
Could it be Casey Mize or Reese Olson?
Will it be someone still down in the minors like Jackson Jobe?
Or are the Tigers still too far away from having a #2 SP? Will they have to go outside the organization to find one?
What do you think?

Today’s blog addresses this question 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 also respond to other readers.
TT will supply the ammunition. One thought-provoking question. Several options provided. One hard choice to be selected. One vote.
Ready?

Who will become the Tigers #2 starting pitcher?

1. Casey Mize or Reese Olson

2. It will be a prospect still in the minors.

3. He will be a free agent or acquired via trade.

VOTE

 

[kalinecountry]

ANATOMY OF A SERIES

by Holly Horning The Detroit Tigers lost their first series in awhile. Worse than that, they got swept by the NY Yankees. But it’s not really that series we should be focused on. …

totallytigers.wordpress.com

ANATOMY OF A SERIES.
Totally Tigers

 

[kalinecountry]

THE BLAME GAME

by Holly Horning On Tuesday, we addressed the offensive concerns seen with the #5 through #9 batters and why the Tigers can’t continue to put out lineups like this. I wrote that a player woul…

totallytigers.wordpress.com

THE BLAME GAME.
Totally Tigers

 

[kalinecountry]

The Worst Kept Secret In Detroit Sports

The Tigers are 19-17 19-18 as of now. This is good ok. They just broke a four-game losing streak yesterday. So far, they have avoided the kind of long losing skid that tanks their seasons before a …

wizardofwoodward.wordpress.com

THE WORST KEPT SECRET IN DETROIT SPORTS.
Wizard of Woodward

 

[kalinecountry]

MONDAY MUSINGS

by Holly Horning Today, it’s about quick hits – bits of news that catch my radar during the week as well as connecting the dots re ongoing stories. Even the quirky. So let’s get to it! …

totallytigers.wordpress.com

MONDAY MUSINGS.
Totally Tigers

 

[kalinecountry]

REALITY CHECK

by Holly Horning Before we dig into today’s blog, we’re keeping things fresh with a new and exciting addition to every blog. As you know, Totally Tigers is about inspiring and fos…

totallytigers.wordpress.com

REALITY CHECK.
Totally Tigers

Before we dig into today’s blog, we’re keeping things fresh with a new and exciting addition to every blog. As you know, Totally Tigers is about inspiring and fostering intelligent and respectful conversation among readers. What better way to do that than to recognize the best reader comment of the day?
Starting with today’s blog, the “best” comment and reader will be recognized in tomorrow’s post at the end of each blog.
So how will they be evaluated? First, that agreeing or disagreeing with what is written is not a factor. What will score points is the thoughtful comment, the comment that brings up a point not previously considered, the comment that makes us consider something in a completely different way or one that really brings the point home. Even the ones that make us laugh out loud. Overall, the ones that make us all think.
And now, without further ado………

 

[kalinecountry]

SATURDAY SURVEY

The concerns over the lack of offense continue with the Detroit Tigers, most noticeably when they were recently shut out in 2 straight games by the Miami Marlins pitchers, ranked as having the wors…

totallytigers.wordpress.com

SATURDAY SURVEY.
Totally Tigers

The concerns over the lack of offense continue with the Detroit Tigers, most noticeably when they were recently shut out in 2 straight games by the Miami Marlins pitchers, ranked as having the worst pitching staff in MLB.
Statistically, the Tigers have baseball’s 4th best pitching roster. But in 43 games, the starting pitchers have only 7 wins among 6 SPs. Most of them due to lack of run support.

Reese Olson is pitching at an elite level and has yet to get a win. Jack Flaherty pitched a 2-hit shutout and struck out 14 batters in one game, tying Max Scherzer’s record. He failed to get the win because his teammates couldn’t score. He is also among the top 5 pitchers this year in strikeouts. His record is 0-3 (through Thursday’s games).

The Tigers have indicated that because of their young lineup, there was a concerted effort to fortify their pitching staff in order to help keep the team in games. However, we’re now regularly seeing stellar pitching performances go unrewarded and wasted.

Currently, the Tigers have 8 rookie/inexperienced hitters in their lineups and 2 who are experienced but under-performing. There are 7 players overall who have decent offensive numbers. Positionally, the Tigers have dependable hitters at only 3 positions.

The off-season was known as the weakest free agency market in years for offensively-solid players. The Tigers stated that signing just one would not have helped to the level needed. As well, they explained that they needed to focus on seeing what a number of rookies/inexperienced players could do.

The Tigers’ batters comprise MLB’s 5th youngest group (but just barely missing #4). There is a direct connection to youth and lower offensive numbers.

What do you think of the Tigers’ strategy of having younger batters and trying to compensate for their lack of offense by bolstering their pitching?

What do you think of the Tigers' strategy of having younger batters and trying to compensate for their lack of offense by bolstering their pitching?

1. It's a strategy that couldn't be helped given the nature of building a new roster.

2. They should have traded a top prospect/rookie or two for a solid bat.

3. It's not a great strategy.

VOTE

 

[kalinecountry]

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