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

https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2022/10/22/deeper-discussions-47/
DEEPER DISCUSSIONS.
Totally Tigers

There are rumors that the Tigers are discussing alterations to Comerica Park. It?s been an ongoing issue for years even after some fences were moved in 2003.

Players from all teams have complained over the years. And a recent study confirmed that Comerica leads all other MLB parks in ?lost HRs? ? fly balls that would have been home runs in all the other ballparks.

The issue revolves around the expanse on either side of deep centerfield called the power alleys. The measurements for those areas exceed all other ballparks.

Power alleys are where most home runs are hit but at Comerica, they often end up being fly balls.

Comerica was originally built to favor pitchers. But in turn, it also required that outfielders be strong defensively and speedy.

If the dimensions should be changed, it would help the team defensively as well as help boost offense. The Tigers play half their game at Comerica and they need every little bit of help they can get. Pitchers would still have an advantage, albeit not as much.

Should the Tigers reconfigure Comerica?s dimensions in order to modify the problematic power alleys?

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?

Should the Tigers modify Comerica's dimensions?

1. Yes

2. No

VOTE
 
https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/tigers-make-changes-to-medical-and-conditioning-staff
Tigers reshaping medical and conditioning staff.
Tigers official site

I hope the reshaping word means leaner, better shape, better condition trainers.
Doug Teter is going to Lakeland in search of more pie eating contests to enter.

Tigers making changes to medical staff, according to Evan Petzold.
- Head athletic trainer Doug Teter transitioning to new role in Lakeland.
- Senior director of medical services Kevin Rand will not be renewed.
- Strength/conditioning coach Steve Chase will not return.
Jason Beck

https://motorcitybengals.com/2022/10/24/report-detroit-tigers-make-changes-medical-staff/
Detroit Tigers make changes to medical staff.
MCBTB

As of September 18, Detroit Tigers players had missed a total of 1,358 games on the IL, which was fifth most in the league at the time. Many of these injuries will carry over into next season as well, with Casey Mize set to miss the entire season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and Tarik Skubal set to miss at least a good chunk of the year. After seeing a number like that, the organization decided that something needed to be done, so these changes were made.

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/s...e-top-of-athletic-training-staff/69586918007/
Tigers make changes at the top of athletic training staff.
Detnews

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...contract-doug-teter-shifts-roles/69583348007/
Detroit Tigers don't renew Kevin Rand's contract; Doug Teter shifts to role in Lakeland.
Freep

In 2022, the Tigers were decimated by injuries but never pinpointed a reason for their health struggles. They used 17 starting pitchers and three former top pitching prospects ? Casey Mize (Tommy John surgery), Tarik Skubal (left flexor tendon surgery) and Matt Manning (right forearm strain) ? ended the season on the 60-day injured list.
 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podca...cked-on-barstool/id1266543495?i=1000583616420
Woodward Tigers Podcast Episode 032: Locked on Barstool. 58 minutes.

Note from Rogelio: This was recorded live on Thursday, October 20th at the Woodward Sports Studio. Apologies on the audio quality but you will hear about that soon enough.

Chris and Rogelio are live in the Woodward Sports studio as they discuss the past week with the Detroit Tigers, is the fan's anger justified and why the blame game seems to be endless.
 
Goodbye Assistant GM David Chadd. Housecleaning continues!!!

https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/tigers-make-changes-to-medical-and-conditioning-staff
Tigers parting with assistant GM, reshaping medical & conditioning staff.
Tigers official site

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/10/tigers-assistant-gm-david-chadd-part-ways.html
Tigers, Assistant GM David Chadd Part Ways.
MLBTR

https://motorcitybengals.com/2022/1...gers-part-ways-with-assistant-gm-david-chadd/
Detroit Tigers part ways with assistant GM David Chadd.
MCBTB

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/s...e-top-of-athletic-training-staff/69586918007/
Tigers part ways with longtime exec David Chadd, shake up athletic training staff.
Detnews

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...tant-general-manager-david-chadd/69587908007/
Detroit Tigers part ways with assistant general manager David Chadd after 18 seasons.
Freep
 
Rob Metzler from the Tampa Bay Rays to oversee all amateur and international scouting

Christmas comes early, Detroit Tiger fans!!!!

Scott Harris just hired Rob Metzler from the Tampa Bay Rays to oversee all amateur and international scouting. The Rays have one of MLB's best scouting systems. Something the Tigers sorely need.

Metzler will also be a VP and Asst. GM. The Rays were believed to have had an "anti-poaching" policy towards their employees because they were losing so many. The Tigers got around it, probably by offering a more elevated position.

Also expect that more personnel changes will be happening in the scouting department once Metzler has had a chance to dig in. Quick! Someone please gift him a Biiiiig Shovel......

Totally Tigers

Scott Harris says the Tigers will hire a scouting director. The decision is up to new assistant general manager Rob Metzler.
Harris still plans to hire a general manager but hasn't started the interview process. He has no update on the timeline.

Freep
 
Christmas comes early, Detroit Tiger fans!!!!

Scott Harris just hired Rob Metzler from the Tampa Bay Rays to oversee all amateur and international scouting. The Rays have one of MLB's best scouting systems. Something the Tigers sorely need.

Metzler will also be a VP and Asst. GM. The Rays were believed to have had an "anti-poaching" policy towards their employees because they were losing so many. The Tigers got around it, probably by offering a more elevated position.

Also expect that more personnel changes will be happening in the scouting department once Metzler has had a chance to dig in. Quick! Someone please gift him a Biiiiig Shovel......

Totally Tigers

Scott Harris says the Tigers will hire a scouting director. The decision is up to new assistant general manager Rob Metzler.
Harris still plans to hire a general manager but hasn't started the interview process. He has no update on the timeline.

Freep

maybe the tigers will be on the other end of a Paredes/Meadows trade next time :tup:
 
https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/rob-metzler-named-tigers-vp-assistant-gm
Tigers hire Metzler as assistant GM to lead amateur scouting.
New Detroit exec spent past 7 years as Rays' senior director of amateur scouting.
Tigers official site

https://www.blessyouboys.com/2022/1...s-scouting-mlb-draft-scott-harris-rob-metzler
Tigers hire long-time Rays scouting director Rob Metzler.
Another key piece of Scott Harris? developing front office is now in place.
BYBTB

https://ilitchnewshub.com/2022/10/r...vice-president-and-assistant-general-manager/
Rob Metzler Joins Detroit Tigers as Vice President and Assistant General Manager.
IlitchNewsHub

https://motorcitybengals.com/2022/10/25/detroit-tigers-hire-rob-metzler-as-assisant-gm-and-vp/
Detroit Tigers hire Rob Metzler as assistant GM and VP.
MCBTB

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022...or-rob-metzler-assistant-general-manager.html
Tigers Name Rob Metzler Assistant General Manager.
MLBTR

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/s...sident-assistant-general-manager/69589672007/
Tigers hire Rob Metzler as vice president, assistant general manager.
Detnews

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...zler-tampa-bay-rays-scott-harris/69589372007/
Detroit Tigers hire Rob Metzler from Tampa Bay Rays as new assistant general manager.
Freep

https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2022/10/tigers-hire-rob-metzler-as-new-vice-president-assistant-gm.html
Tigers hire Rob Metzler as new vice president, assistant GM.
Mlive
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2022/10/25/giddy-up/
GIDDY UP!
Totally Tigers

I am writing this on October 25th but had to look twice at the calendar because it felt like December 25th. Christmas came early for us, Tiger fans! Or rather it feels like Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa and Festivus all rolled into one.

The Tigers are finally making changes. Changes that should have been made 8 years ago in terms of personnel.

And then there are changes that should have been made decades ago as the Tigers ignored all the departments and resources that every other organization had added and improved ? advanced farm systems, analytics, technology, drafting, biometrics, conditioning and others.

It now appears that Detroit will be officially entering the 21st Century.
 
Scott Harris: "I don't want to create this perception that we are completely cleaning house here. We are not doing that. We are establishing new leadership for a handful of departments that are ultimately going to help us bring more talent here ..."

Sounds as though Tom Moore, the Tigers' director of international ops, will remain with the organization.

Harris also said he feels good about the org's pro scouting under Scott Bream and Sam Menzin.

Few other notes from Tigers baseball ops president Scott Harris:
- He still plans to hire a GM, but is way early in that process.
- Metzler will hire an amateur scouting director.
- Harris has been impressed with pro scouting department in their discussions.
 
Last edited:
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2022/10/26/gauging-fan-feelings/
GAUGING FAN FEELINGS.
Totally Tigers

While MLB prepares to start the World Series, baseball teams were hard at work making changes within their organizations. The biggest move was done by the Detroit Tigers who brought in Rob Metzler from the Tampa Bay Rays as Assistant Manager/VP in charge of scouting.

The Tigers have, for decades now, been poor at scouting and drafting.
In particular, there has been an absolute dearth of positional players for a number of years. With Scott Harris now in charge, those at the top of the scouting food chain were fired.

On the other hand, the Rays have one of MLB?s top departments and their employees are highly sought by every other team. So much so that Tampa Bay had to put a ?no poaching? policy in place because they were losing so many of their personnel.

Mentzler is known for his ability to blend traditional scouting skills with analytics. His record of drafting top players is long and impeccable.

Unlike many of the Tigers? old guard, Rob has no ties to any of them or to the usual suspect teams ? Expos, Marlins, Tigers or Pirates. He also has no ties or working relationships to Scott Harris, Ryan Garko, Scott Bream, Sam Menzin or A. J. Hinch.
How do you feel about the Tigers? newest hire?

How do you feel about the hiring of Rob Mentzler?

1. Thrilled

2. A step in the right direction

3. Cautious

4. Unhappy

VOTE
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2022/10/27/five-for-friday-49/
FIVE FOR FRIDAY.
Totally Tigers

It?s interesting to review the comments of readers who post their thoughts on social media boards, including here, about the Tigers? current changing of the guard.

While many are happy, there are those who still won?t surrender to what is perceived as good news. They remain very skeptical. Probably because they?ve heard these promises before and they haven?t worked out.

It?s a protective mechanism really. Some fans are adamant about not being fooled again. Others simply point to all of Detroit sports being cursed.

There are those who feel that the Tigers will never be able to escape their past and climb out of that historic hole. They point to all the failed leaderships from decades ago. In particular to Randy Smith, who, like Scott Harris, was young when he got the job.

But that?s where the similarities end.

Baseball has changed dramatically in the 27 years since Smith was hired by Mike Ilitch. It was a much simpler time when those in charge had no real training or business acumen/degrees and earned their way up through the organization. In Randy?s case, his father (a big mover and shaker in baseball) got him entry into the game. Ilitch hired him because he wanted someone young. And that he loved his cowboy boots. (A true story, I kid you not.)

Contrast Smith to Scott Harris who has been in baseball since college. Majored in appropriate subjects, got an MBA, interned for 2 teams and worked for the Commissioner. Went on to work for the Cubs and Giants, directly under the top 2 minds in baseball ? Theo Epstein and Farhan Zaidi......

You don?t work for these 2 people without having real chops.

The guy knows what he?s doing, folks.

Harris has been a game-changer so far and is taking this organization in a newer, more modern direction. And he?s incorporating the aspects that all of MLB?s best teams have adopted.

Scott is digging down deep unlike his predecessors. He?s addressing the foundations of this organization, because without a solid one, the team will flounder on an unstable surface.

Let?s take a look at the top 5 things he?s done so far after only 3 weeks on the job......
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2022/10/28/saturday-survey-51/
SATURDAY SURVEY.
Totally Tigers

The Detroit Tigers will, once again, have to address their catching needs this off-season. Of utmost importance is someone who knows how to pace the game, handle young pitchers and call a strong game.

Offense is no longer considered to be a requirement in today?s game. It is considered only a bonus, not a requirement. It is far down the list for teams when compared to the priority placed on the strategy side of a catcher?s skills.

Tucker Barnhart had the worst defensive year of his career, costing the team -6 DFS (Defensive Runs Saved). When behind the plate, Tiger pitchers had a 4.05 ERA.

Eric Haase, while improved, doesn?t profile as an everyday catcher. He cost the team -9 DFS and pitchers had a 4.08 ERA with him behind the plate.

Jake Rogers is considered to be much stronger defensively and has handled young pitchers better than his counterparts. But he is also recovering from Tommy John and the team may not know how well he may perform until spring training.

Dillon Dingler is at least a year away from reaching Detroit.

Going into the hot stove season, there is expected to be a dearth of available catchers. But that?s not to say that Scott Harris could effect a trade for one.

What should the Tigers do for their #1 catcher next year given that handling a lot of rookies will be a requirement?

Who should be the Tigers primary catcher for 2023?

1. Tucker Barnhart

2. Eric Haase

3. Jake Rogers

4. Sign a free agent or trade for a catcher.

VOTE
 
The MLB GM meetings are in 10 days. The Tigers do not yet have a GM and it's unlikely one will be hired in time.

PoBO Scott Harris said he would hire one but he didn't say when. He also stated that he hasn't started the search process and does not have a timeline for one.

Potentially, Harris may want to oversee the position for the coming year. It will help him get to know the organization much better and more easily match the right candidate with what the Tigers truly need.

Totally Tigers
 
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