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

DEEPER DISCUSSIONS.
Totally Tigers

The lack of offense on this Tiger team is the biggest issue facing them. It was a huge factor in this month’s games so far and pushed the team under .500 at one point.
PoBO Scott Harris has emphasized that the top prospects have to play and cannot be blocked. We all know that inexperienced players struggle offensively in the beginning.
We’re also aware that last winter’s free agent market was one of the weakest ones in history which is why the Tigers were unable to find a suitable bat to sign.

Currently, there are no viable solutions in the farm system that could spark the team’s offense.
Given these conditions, there is only 1 clear solution to improving the Tigers’ offense now instead of waiting until late July or the end of the season. A trade.
Let’s remember that in order to trade for someone who would make an impact, the Tigers would need to give up 1 or 2 promising young players or prospects.
Trading a pitcher would appear to be the most logical currency the Tigers have. Opponents are always in need of pitching.
But don’t expect the Tigers to receive an above-average hitter in exchange for a player who isn’t expected to reach the majors soon. Other teams would want someone who is MLB-ready or very close to it.
Given this, would you approve a trade of Casey Mize, Reese Olson, Ty Madden or even Jackson Jobe for a chance to increase the Tigers’ offense?
 
THE FIRST TEST.
Totally Tigers
 
THE FIRST TEST.
Totally Tigers
"We knew that this year’s Tigers would struggle offensively. When you have a lineup that consists of only 2 veterans with the rest either rookies or inexperienced hitters, there are going to be more dry spells than good."

"If solving offense issues was easy, the Tigers would have already enacted them
."

If everyone knew it before the season, shouldn't Harris have known it too? Shouldn't he have done more during the off season?
 
THE 2024 WISH LIST.
Totally Tigers

The Detroit Tigers are getting close to having played one-third of a season. It’s time once again to look at what they’ve done so far, what the Front Office has addressed as part of their goals for the year and re-adjust our expectations about the 2024 season.

We know this will not be a competitive year. It is too soon given the new Front Office and change in direction and strategy.
However, we do need to see certain benchmarks being reached that will reassure us about the future.
In some cases, it’s still too early to see progression. But in others, this is going to be the make-it-or-break-it year for seeing goals and players moving forward.

So what will make me happy to see by the end of the 2024 season? I’ve got my top 10 list…
By the end of the 2024 season, I need to see…..
 
SATURDAY SURVEY.
Totally Tigers

In a short period of time, the Detroit Tigers have gone from several wins above .500 and 2 games out of 1st place to a 5-game losing streak and sit in 4th place, 10 games out and 4 games under .500.

As has been the case, the lack of offense is their #1 problem. Overall, the team is hitting .231/.301/.364/.655 (through Thursday). Out of their regular 8 positional players, only 2 of them are hitting over .250, 1 is under .200 and 5 are hitting between .207 and .235.

PoBO Scott Harris has repeatedly said that “the kids need to play” but given the current situation, should he be modifying this strategy given its failure so far?
Or will the team’s hitting get better as the younger players gain more experience? Do they need to continue to wait this out?

Or is this simply one of those stretches in which the team plays poorly and then rebounds for awhile?
How concerned about the team’s performance for the year overall should we be?

Or should the team pivot and start to shuffle the lineup, bringing up another player or two from Toledo in the hope that there may be another Wenceel Perez ready to break out?
What should Harris do?

What should the Tigers do about the current roster?

1. Keep the current roster and hope that more experience will improve offense.

2. Shuffle the roster and give a prospect or two the chance to help improve offense.

VOTE
 
SHORT AND SWEET.
Totally Tigers

Normally this is the day where we engage in extended conversations about the Detroit Tigers. But on this holiday weekend, we’re going in the opposite direction.
Now that the Detroit Tigers have played nearly one-third of the season, what are your thoughts and feelings about what you’ve seen so far?
But here’s the catch: You have to sum up it all up in just 1 word. One word only.
 
STEP IT UP.
Totally Tigers

Last week, I wrote about how Scott Harris must address the lack of offense this season – the sooner the better. That this is his first big test now that he’s had a year to evaluate the organization.
 
STEP IT UP.
Totally Tigers

Last week, I wrote about how Scott Harris must address the lack of offense this season – the sooner the better. That this is his first big test now that he’s had a year to evaluate the organization.
like I said in the other post she is talking about...he should have addressed the offense in the off season. If he's as smart as he thinks he is, he should have known this team was going to struggle.
 
like I said in the other post she is talking about...he should have addressed the offense in the off season. If he's as smart as he thinks he is, he should have known this team was going to struggle.
This might make sense or it might not, This guy Harris, got everything in order from the ground up minor leagues and new coaches and a new way to help develop players from the low minors up. Whether it is Ilitch saying no to super players as FA ,or they are really trying to bring them up and not block a player, which shows that it isn't working with the players, they are not ready or the hitting coaches not as good as we were led to believe. I think he is here another year and another year of Garko and player development, they move Harris to another front office position and bring Hinch to the front office and get another manager. I'm trying to figure it out like everyone else. I really do think that Hinch is moving to the front office in some capacity at a later date and year.
 
FIVE FOR FRIDAY.
Totally Tigers

Oops, Scott Harris must have found a lost bottle of that secret potion Al Avila left behind in the office. The one in which you spill too much information when you take a swig. As you remember, Avila ordered it by the case.
Uncharacteristically, Harris had loose lips the other day in a tv interview with Brian Kenny.
He was asked about whether the Tigers will be increasing their payroll and signing some big contracts going forward.
Harris should have heard the internal alarms going off. But he spoke anyway.
Here’s just a sampling of what he said:
“We’re not quite there yet as far as spending at that level because we need to build the foundation of this team to put us in a position to supplement it with some free agency signings in upcoming winters.
“We just have to develop the core that we’re going to spend around, and we also have to target the players in upcoming winters that can really help us.”

And now Harris has just lost some fans. And further poked the bear with others.
What did he say that was so controversial? I’ve got a list of 5……
 
This might make sense or it might not, This guy Harris, got everything in order from the ground up minor leagues and new coaches and a new way to help develop players from the low minors up. Whether it is Ilitch saying no to super players as FA ,or they are really trying to bring them up and not block a player, which shows that it isn't working with the players, they are not ready or the hitting coaches not as good as we were led to believe. I think he is here another year and another year of Garko and player development, they move Harris to another front office position and bring Hinch to the front office and get another manager. I'm trying to figure it out like everyone else. I really do think that Hinch is moving to the front office in some capacity at a later date and year.
I don't necessarily feel that they should have shopped for the high end free agents. Just a few "Vierling" type players.
 
SATURDAY SURVEY.
Totally Tigers

Earlier this week, Detroit Tigers’ PoBO Scott Harris gave an interview on national tv. When asked if the Tigers were going to start spending on some free agents, Harris said this in his many statements:
“We’re not quite there yet as far as spending at that level because we need to build the foundation of this team to put us in a position to supplement it with some free agency signings in upcoming winters.
“We just have to develop the core that we’re going to spend around, and we also have to target the players in upcoming winters that can really help us.”


He appeared to indicate that the Tigers weren’t close to competing for at least several years because they had not yet developed the core of the roster. Of course, he also hinted that the team was not prepared to spend some significant dollars on free agents as a result.

What is your take upon reading this?
Are you surprised at his statements? Shocked even?
Or did his comments validate your observations about how this roster is being built and how much work the new Front Office has to do?

What was your reaction to Scott Harris' statements?

1. Not surprised at all. This club still has a long way to go.

2. Somewhat surprised. I thought the club was further along.

3. Shocked. I thought the club would be competing in the near future.

VOTE
 
DEEPER DISCUSSIONS.
Totally Tigers

Last week, Detroit Tigers’ PoBO Scott Harris made these statements about the Tigers’ roster, core players and timeline of adding free agents:
“We’re not quite there yet as far as spending at that level because we need to build the foundation of this team to put us in a position to supplement it with some free agency signings in upcoming winters.
“We just have to develop the core that we’re going to spend around, and we also have to target the players in upcoming winters that can really help us.”


So where do you think the Tigers are in the development of their core?
Are they still in the process of evaluating the potential of all their young players?
Do they have only a handful (3-5) of players they believe will be part of the long-term future?
Do they believe that they’ve got at least 6 -7 players who will become the foundation of the team?

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?

Where do you think the Tigers are in the development of their core?

1. They are still in the process of evaluating the potential of all their young players.

2. They only have a handful (3-5) of players they believe will be part of the long-term future.

3. They believe there are 6 or more players who will form the foundation of the roster.

VOTE
 
HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY.
Totally Tigers

Well, now we know why Scott Harris said last week that the Tigers weren’t going to be spending big money on free agents in the near future.
And we really can’t fault him for saying that as it turns out.
Harris stated that the Tigers need to establish the foundation of the roster and identify who will become the core. And many fans are just now learning how much there really is to do.
 
HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY.
Totally Tigers

Well, now we know why Scott Harris said last week that the Tigers weren’t going to be spending big money on free agents in the near future.
And we really can’t fault him for saying that as it turns out.
Harris stated that the Tigers need to establish the foundation of the roster and identify who will become the core. And many fans are just now learning how much there really is to do.

I never heard once that those guys were "can't miss prospects". Every baseball fan knows that no prospect is "can't miss"

I never even thought Meadows was the CF of the future, since he never hit in the minor leagues until last year.

This is just another blog that tries to shift the blame to the former GM and gives excuses to the current. They didn't have to go out and sign top end free agents. They could have signed some decent veteran players though.
 
FIVE FOR FRIDAY.
Totally Tigers

As everyone now knows, Scott Harris has stated that the Tigers will not be ready to add prime free agents until they establish a foundation and have a core group of players.
What he didn’t say is whether the Tigers have some of that core group currently.
And that is today’s exercise – identifying who they may be. And considering that today is Friday, we’re limiting that list to 5 players.

Here are the rules for selecting the players: That player has to be an important cog within the team – and considered to be a long-term player going forward. Given that Harris said it would be a couple years to get this done, we have to work with players we believe will be with the team from 2026 and going forward.
In assembling my list, I have to sadly admit that it didn’t take me very long. I see some players here for the next couple years potentially but maybe not beyond that. Harris is going to churn this roster significantly every season until he gets to the level he wants.

I purposely am not including relievers. Their performance can vary wildly from year to year and most of them don’t have very long shelf lives.
And I also have not included (you may want to sit down for this one) Tarik Skubal. Ironically, he is the first core player to stand out, however, he becomes a free agent after the 2026 season and his agent is Scott Boras who will take him to the highest bidder. Skubal will also be 30 years old at free agency and Boras will want a 5-year minimum contract for him.
I believe the Tigers will trade him after next year before he becomes a rental for a pile of proven players.

Sooooo, who constitutes that core group of players?
 
FIVE FOR FRIDAY.
Totally Tigers

As everyone now knows, Scott Harris has stated that the Tigers will not be ready to add prime free agents until they establish a foundation and have a core group of players.
What he didn’t say is whether the Tigers have some of that core group currently.
And that is today’s exercise – identifying who they may be. And considering that today is Friday, we’re limiting that list to 5 players.

Here are the rules for selecting the players: That player has to be an important cog within the team – and considered to be a long-term player going forward. Given that Harris said it would be a couple years to get this done, we have to work with players we believe will be with the team from 2026 and going forward.
In assembling my list, I have to sadly admit that it didn’t take me very long. I see some players here for the next couple years potentially but maybe not beyond that. Harris is going to churn this roster significantly every season until he gets to the level he wants.

I purposely am not including relievers. Their performance can vary wildly from year to year and most of them don’t have very long shelf lives.
And I also have not included (you may want to sit down for this one) Tarik Skubal. Ironically, he is the first core player to stand out, however, he becomes a free agent after the 2026 season and his agent is Scott Boras who will take him to the highest bidder. Skubal will also be 30 years old at free agency and Boras will want a 5-year minimum contract for him.
I believe the Tigers will trade him after next year before he becomes a rental for a pile of proven players.

Sooooo, who constitutes that core group of players?
If they are going to trade Skubal, they should do it sooner than later. The longer the team acquiring him has him under team control, the more the Tigers can get in return.
 
If they are going to trade Skubal, they should do it sooner than later. The longer the team acquiring him has him under team control, the more the Tigers can get in return.
Skubal trade too much risk. Unless they get a young established hitter back.. Like a Gunnar Henderson. All star for all star. Cy Young potential for MVP potential. It rarely works when you trade a stud for prospects that haven't done shit yet.
 
Skubal trade too much risk. Unless they get a young established hitter back.. Like a Gunnar Henderson. All star for all star. Cy Young potential for MVP potential. It rarely works when you trade a stud for prospects that haven't done shit yet.
you aren't going to get a 22 year old stud SS for a 27 year old pitcher with 2 years left on his contract. You might get a good every day player and several prospects. Or an every day player, a young pitcher not on his level, and a prospect or 2. That's the problem with a Boras client. If you don't want to pay, you are going to lose the player for nothing

EDIT: Just going back to your Gunnar Henderson comment. I didn't realize that how loaded Baltimore is. They have him at SS & Jackson Holliday soon at 2B. They are set up the middle for the next 7 years with 2 studs.
 
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