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Tigers named Ryan Garko as the club’s Vice President of Player Development and Assistant GM

https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2022/11/21/let-go/
LET GO.
Totally Tigers

It?s interesting to read some of the social media comments about the Tigers? recent moves involving waiver wire claims, revamping the 40-man roster and the non-tender deadline.

It?s funny that after so many years complaining about a number of players, some fans are now upset that they?ve been dropped from the roster.

Actually, I think it has more to do with Stockholm Syndrome than actually believing these players had something important to offer.

Part of it also has to do with how many years some of these players stayed in Detroit. And how they were hyped by Al Avila and the major local media.

The result? A number of fans were tricked into believing that these were actually legitimate players. Seeing them year after year made them think it was true.

In actuality, Avila oversold the talent on this team. Mostly because he had to preserve his own job by telling us how great these players were.

Failure to do so would certainly have given credence that this rebuild was false and failing.

And for the same reasons, it?s why he hastily rushed up Spencer Torkelson before he was ready.

It no longer became about the rebuild. It turned into a strategy for job preservation.

But even more interesting is the belief by some fans that the Tigers won?t be able to find better players to replace them.

This ain?t Al Avila?s team anymore, folks. The grown-ups are now in charge....
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2022/11/22/watercooler-wednesday-62/
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??..

The Detroit Tigers non-tendered Jeimer Candelario last week. In 2022, he had his worst year ever ? both offensively and defensively. He was scheduled to receive $7+ mill via arbitration. The team is currently without a 3rdBaseman.

Javier Baez also had his worst year with the glove and the bat. He led MLB in errors at SS.

While he struggled offensively, Jonathan Schoop had a great year defensively and garnered a Gold Glove nomination.

To round out the infield, the Tigers currently have a big question mark at 1B.
It is hoped that Spencer Torkelson will be able to take over at some point but Scott Harris said the team will be looking for a short-term solution.

Baez has experience playing 3B and 2B. Schoop has worked at 1B.

Given the concerns surrounding the infield, how should the Tigers handle filling all the slots?

Should they move players like Baez and Schoop to help fill the voids at 1B and 3B? Baez in particular may benefit from playing a less-demanding position like 2B or 3B.

It is said that 3B may be hard to fill given the current market. It may be easier for the Tigers to find players to slot into SS or 2B.

Or should they keep these 2 where they are and trade for or sign a designated 3rdBaseman and/or 1stBaseman?

What do you think?

What should the Tigers do about their infield?

1. Keep everyone where they are. Fill 1B and 3B from outside.

2. Move players around. Fill holes where needed from outside.

VOTE
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2022/11/25/saturday-survey-55/
SATURDAY SURVEY.
Totally Tigers

Going into the off-season, the Detroit Tigers have made a lot of significant changes to their organization. After bringing on Ryan Garko and A. J. Hinch back in 2021, this year saw the firing of Al Avila and the ascension of PoBO Scott Harris.

Harris has continued to address the issues with Player Development as well as scouting and drafting. He is currently working on programs to address the lack of offensive skills while promising significant changes to both the organization and the roster.

Many of the familiar faces who have been with the team for decades are now gone, replaced by top talent from some of MLB?s best teams.

And Harris has started to address the roster via releases, non-tenders and waiver wire signings just 2 weeks out from the end of the World Series.
We have been told to expect big changes.

Given all of this, and the fact that it is still very early in the off-season, how excited are you about the anticipated changes that are expected to happen between now and February?

How excited are you about the Tigers' off-season?

1. Very excited.

2. Maybe a little more interested.

3. Yawn.

VOTE
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2022/11/27/the-fans-have-spoken/
THE FANS HAVE SPOKEN.
Totally Tigers

How many of you return a day or two later to check the final results of our weekly polls?

We really have an excellent cross-section of fans and historically, this group of readers almost always tend to be spot on about what they see happening with the Tigers. In part, those who come to this site are educated about the team much more so than the average fan. I am hoping that those with offices at Comerica read what is being said and use it to gauge the pulse of the fans, not to mention incorporating this factor into their decision-making.

As background, each poll is carefully constructed, offering the full spectrum of options as well as avoiding the possibility of leading readers to a specific answer. And they are also tamper-proof. Unlike the All-Star voting, it?s 1 reader, 1 vote. The blog platform kicks out any additional votes submitted by a reader who has already voted once.

Let?s now take the time to review all of the major polls completed since Scott Harris was hired. How often were you in the majority?

Here are a list of over 20 of the questions, followed by the winning percentage. In a few cases, the runners up are also listed.
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2022/12/01/five-for-friday-52/
FIVE FOR FRIDAY.
Totally Tigers

It?s interesting to read how so many fans are still holding onto the same list of roster needs that Al Avila had. Thinking the same way and selecting players that fit the old mold of the Avila roster years.

But this is a whole new ballgame. New(ish) owner, new manager and a new man in charge. Even new titles.

Everything is going to be new in this regime. Including the characteristics of every player who is signed.

PoBO Scott Harris has given us the parameters in a number of interviews and statements. Here are the top 5 things he?s going to be looking for before inking any player to the 2023 roster?..
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2022/12/21/three-wise-men-3/
THREE WISE MEN: Part Three.
Totally Tigers

On Tuesday, we started a 3-part series about the 3 Wise Men of the Detroit Tigers. A riff on the historic story and the gifts they should give Tiger fans this season.

The first wise man is Chris Ilitch.

The second wise man is Scott Harris.

Today, the third and final Wise Man is Ryan Garko, VP of Player Development.

I believe the best gift Garko can give fans is to resurrect the development of the Tigers? top draft picks, especially Spencer Torkelson.
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2022/12/22/who-is-the-wisest/
WHO IS THE WISEST?
Totally Tigers

Over this week, we identified the 3 Wise Men of the Detroit Tigers.

The first is Chris Ilitch:
His offering? A new tv broadcast crew.

The second is Scott Harris:
His offering? Watchable games this coming year.

And the third is Ryan Garko:
His offering? The resurrection of top draft picks like Spencer Torkelson.

Out of these 3 presents, which is the one gift you want the most?

Which is the one gift you would most like to receive?

1. New tv broadcast team

2. Watchable games

3. Resurrection of top draft picks

VOTE
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2022/12/26/the-fans-have-spoken-2/
THE FANS HAVE SPOKEN.
Totally Tigers

How many of you return a day or two later to check the final results of our weekly polls?

We really have an excellent cross-section of fans and historically, this group of readers almost always tend to be spot on about what they see happening with the Tigers. I am hoping that those with offices at Comerica read what the fans are saying and consider it when they are making decisions.

As background, each poll is carefully constructed, offering the full spectrum of options as well as avoiding the possibility of leading readers to a specific answer. And they are also tamper-proof. Unlike the All-Star voting, it?s 1 reader, 1 vote. The blog platform kicks out any additional votes submitted by a reader who has already voted once.

Let?s now take the time to review all of the major polls completed since mid-November. What you may find most interesting is the often-seen difference between how the overall population of fans feel compared to the published reader comments. Sometimes, the most vocal of fans are in the minority. Some of you may be surprised at what you see.

What is also fun to see is how far apart ? or how close ? fans are in voting. Of special note are a couple polls that were done in advance of moves being made.

As you peruse the questions, it may also be interesting to see how often you were in the majority ? or in the minority.

Here are the questions, with the winner listed at the top.
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2022/12/29/the-payroll-poll-3/
THE PAYROLL POLL Part Three.
Totally Tigers

Let?s conclude the 3-part series on payroll in baseball.

The first poll was focused on Mets owner Steve Cohen and his willingness to spend whatever it takes to win a ring. Yesterday, we explored what each team was spending, especially those shelling out the most and the least. We asked the question as to whether MLB should install salary caps. If you missed that poll, you have today only to vote before that survey also ends.

Now let?s turn to the Detroit Tigers and their payroll.

For the first 13 years of owning the team, Mike Ilitch spent sparingly on the Tigers. Upon hiring Dave Dombrowski back in 2022, the Tigers increased payroll significantly almost every year. The team went from $54 mill to $212 mill during his tenure. Most of that time, the Tigers ranked within the top 5 of team payrolls. Often sitting at #2 or #3.

While that money fueled multiple division titles and October baseball, it failed the ultimate test ? a World Series trophy. The Tigers won only 1 game out of 2 WS appearances.

And despite attracting large attendance numbers, the Tigers operated in the red for the last 10 years of Dombrowski?s tenure.

Due mostly to contracts that increasingly got expensive, Opening Day payroll continued to climb for the Tigers in 2016 and 2017 while the team slid backwards in the standings. Because of those 2 factors, the Tigers were pushed into a tear down that lasted 5 years and a rebuild that has yet to take off.
They now hold the record for the team with the longest playoff drought.

Last year was the first one since 2017-18 that the Tigers grew their payroll. Chris Ilitch ranked 3rd in spending the most money for the 2022 season but it was not spent well by his former GM, Al Avila.

The Tigers sit at #18 in payroll for the 2022 season with $136 mill. They were $14 mill below the average MLB payroll.

The White Sox are over $200 mill. The Twins are just slightly ahead of the Tigers by $13 mill.

The Tigers are significantly outspending the Royals and Indians. It is way too soon to put a dollar amount on this year?s payroll.

Where should the Tigers be sitting in payroll for the near future? How much do they need in order to become competitive?

Or is a solid organization more of a factor in how successful a team becomes?

How much is enough without putting the team?s future in jeopardy and risking another tear down?

Consider all of this ? and more ? when you think about how much this organization should invest.

Tell us by voting.

What should the Tigers' payroll be for the near future?

1. $203 million (White Sox) or more.

2. Less than $200 million but more than MLB average of $151 million.

3. Within the neighborhood of MLB average $151 million.

4. Similar to current $136 million payroll.

5. Less than $136 million payroll (Royals and Indians spending significantly less).

VOTE
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2022/12/30/saturday-and-sunday-survey/
SATURDAY (AND SUNDAY) SURVEY.
Totally Tigers

New PoBO Scott Harris has a reputation for working the waiver wire and picking up value. He also has a track record of resuscitating pitchers who go on to have productive seasons.

Harris has said in his press conferences that the goal is to always keep improving the Tigers. Reading between the lines, he is telling us that the roster will be churning over through the course of the year as he continues to strengthen the roster.

He has also stated that he intends to fill holes at C, 1B, 3B and the OF. But so far, he has signed only 2 pitchers to MLB contracts. They are Matthew Boyd and Michael Lorenzen.

There are still 7 weeks left to sign players before spring training starts.

But Harris has broomed 16 players and claimed 7 others off waivers. He has traded for 2 and signed 13 more to contracts. All but 2 of them are minor league contracts.

Other than Boyd and Lorenzen, only 2 of the new players have invitations to spring training.

The rest of these transactions are considered to be depth moves. Most of the new players will be reporting to Toledo.

Here are the new additions:

VIA WAIVERS

2 catchers

1 2B

1 shortstop

1 OF

2 LHP

1 RHP

VIA FREE AGENT SIGNINGS

1 catcher

1 shortstop

1 RF

2 LHP (including Boyd)

5 RHP (including Lorenzen)

VIA TRADE

1 3B

1 OF

1 LHP

After reviewing the positions acquired, what is your first impression? Is there a pattern you are seeing? What does all of the acquisitions say about how this team was built under the old regime? Does it say anything about the current roster as it stands now?

Which one of the following options stands out the most to you?

Which statement stands out the most to you?

1. The Tigers don?t feel comfortable with their current crop of catchers.

2, They have concerns about filling or maintaining defense up the middle.

3. After using 17 different starting pitchers, they need to create a new pipeline of pitching options.

VOTE
 
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