To finish off the long holiday weekend, readers get another chance to be heard. Yep, one more opportunity to comment on the Tiger topic of your choosing.
As usual, we have opened up the comment parameters for you, so you can really get those juices flowing. Comments on THIS DAY ONLY can be expanded to a maximum of 8 sentences. So pick a topic and let us hear from you! What’s on your minds?
Totally Tigers loves your comments! But please remember that responses are only published if they address today’s topic, are respectful and do not exceed the maximum response length. All rules are at: https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/commentsrules/.
The Saturday Survey offers another way for readers to weigh in on a relevant topic. So here is a poll to gauge the pulse of our baseball-lovin’ peeps.
As always, we welcome your comments, so please vote and then submit your reasons ( 4 sentences max!) for how you voted in the usual comment box. Don’t forget to come back later and view the results!
Joe Vavra, one of MLB’s best hitting coaches while with the Twins, has been moved into the same position with the Tigers. What kind of an impact will he have on the Tiger hitters as he coaches them?
Totally Tigers loves your comments! But please remember that responses are only published if they address today’s topic, are respectful and do not exceed the maximum 3-4 sentence response length. All rules are at: https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/commentsrules/.
With the holiday season upon us, let’s have some more fun with our newest blog, Would You Rather.
As you will see, the choices aren’t easy – and that’s the way it’s meant to be. But it is meant to stir up some good discussion.
As always, we welcome your comments, so please vote and then submit your reasons ( 4 sentences max!) for how you voted in the usual comment box. Don’t forget to come back later and view the results!
Totally Tigers loves your comments! But please remember that responses are only published if they address today’s topic, are respectful and do not exceed the maximum 3-4 sentence response length. All rules are at: https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/commentsrules/.
This is a day where we all give thanks. And we here at Totally Tigerswant to show ours to you, dear readers.
We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you. So we send out a big roar of approval to those who read us every day, to those who binge-read us, the solid core who comment regularly, our newest readers, those who have been with us forever and to the thousands who silently lurk in the shadows. Even those who read us occasionally. We love you all.
We are thrilled that you get us and why we started this blog. We love that you’re looking for conversation starters and not spin. And the fact that we often don’t give answers – but offer explanations and ideas instead. All in a civil, user-friendly environment that encourages the sharing of thoughts.
We know this year has been especially trying as a Tigers fan. Little to no news coming out of the organization and what appears most days to be the re-arranging of the deck chairs on the Titanic. Let’s all hang in there together and keep our love of baseball alive while we watch for signs of hope, share ideas and develop a familiarity of the standards that create a solid team and organization.
And if you have thoughts and/or topics you’d like to see covered here, email us and let us know. We won’t publish them immediately but we will give you credit when they appear.
Thank you from the bottom of our little blue and orange striped hearts for being our readers. And may the only turkey you see this week be the one that is sitting on your dining room table – and not a comment coming out of Comerica’s Front Office.
Totally Tigers loves your comments! But please remember that responses are only published if they address today’s topic, are respectful and do not exceed the maximum 3-4 sentence response length. All rules are at: https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/commentsrules/.
With the holiday season upon us, let’s have some fun with our newest blog, Would You Rather.
As you will see, the choices aren’t easy – and that’s the way it’s meant to be. But it is meant to stir up some good discussion.
As always, we welcome your comments, so please vote and then submit your reasons ( 4 sentences max!) for how you voted in the usual comment box. Don’t forget to come back later and view the results!
Totally Tigers loves your comments! But please remember that responses are only published if they address today’s topic, are respectful and do not exceed the maximum 3-4 sentence response length. All rules are at: https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/commentsrules/.
Back in August 2015, Al Avila became General Manager and was rewarded with a 5-year contract. Tiger ownership said that the 5 years was necessary as that was the amount of time needed in order for Avila to get the Tigers back into playing competitive baseball.
And yet, with more than a year to go and no evidence of a rebuild even taking place, Chris Ilitch extended Al’s contract for a super secret number of years. A first in MLB while also being a contradictory statement of support. Not revealing a single shred of the contract details shows that the owner is either embarrassed to own his action or that it was done to facilitate an imminent sale of the team. Only one of these options makes sense.
Nonetheless, Avila goes into his 5th off-season where the vision and planning of how to construct the team is done. It is the most important part of any GM’s job.
Al has been in the crosshairs of fans throughout this time period as they point to this trade or that trade as having failed. But is it right to cherry pick a handful of trades?
Shouldn’t we be looking at his entire resume of trades and signings? Wouldn’t that be a more accurate assessment?
I hope you’re saying “yes” because I did all the legwork for you. I have that complete list of Al’s work since he took over.
The majority of his significant moves took place between 2015 – 2017. After that, most of the Tigers’ transactions involved releasing players and signing those plucked off the waiver wire. An astounding number of older journeymen were signed to minor league contracts with the hope that the Tigers might get lucky and fill a hole in the Detroit roster. That project did not turn out well at all.
Excluding the minor league contracts and waiver wire grabs, I’ve listed all the moves Al has made since he took over from Dave Dombrowski. The vast majority of the prospects gained are currently sitting in A and AA ball, with just a handful of players having a short taste of MLB so far.
Take a look and judge for yourself. We already know the outcomes of some of these moves. But what about the others? What are the chances that some of them will actually evolve into smart moves?
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
Mike Fiers
Josh Harrison (IL most of year)
Mikie Mahtook
Jordy Mercer (IL most of year)
Matt Moore (IL most of year)
Mike Pelfrey (released)
Tyson Ross (IL most of year)
Francisco Rodriguez (released)
Justin Upton
Jordan Zimmermann
PLAYERS TRADED
NICK CASTELLANOS (and cash) for Paul Richan and Alex Lange
MIKE FIERS for Nolan Blackwood and Logan Shore
SHANE GREENE for Joey Wentz and Travis Demeritte
IAN KINSLER for Wilkel Hernandez (now unprotected) and Troy Montgomery
CAMERON MAYBIN for Victor Alcantara (released)
J.D. MARTINEZ for Dawel Lugo, Sergio Alcantara and Jose King
JUSTIN UPTON for RHP Grayson Long (retired after 4 games) and Elvin Rodriguez (now unprotected)
JUSTIN VERLANDER and player and$16 million for Franklin Perez (pitched 9 games in 2 years), Daz Cameron and Jake Rogers
JUSTIN WILSON and ALEX AVILA for Isaac Paredes, Jeimer Candelario and a PTBNL
PLAYERS RELEASED (with no compensation received)
Victor Alcantara
Josh Harrison
Jose Iglesias
James McCann
Mike Pelfrey
Francisco Rodriguez
Bruce Rondon
Anibal Sanchez
Alex Wilson
Totally Tigers loves your comments! But please remember that responses are only published if they address today’s topic, are respectful and do not exceed the maximum 3-4 sentence response length. All rules are at: https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/commentsrules/.
It’s the last Sunday of the month, folks, which means it’s your day! This is the day for you to be heard. Today is the one day during the month (normally) where you get the opportunity to comment on the Tiger topic of your choosing.
This is the one day of the week where we open up the comment parameters for you, so you can really get those juices flowing. Comments on THIS DAY ONLY can be expanded to a maximum of 8 sentences. So pick a topic and let us hear from you! What’s on your minds?
Totally Tigers loves your comments! But please remember that responses are only published if they address today’s topic, are respectful and do not exceed the maximum response length. All rules are at: https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/commentsrules/.
As we head into the holiday season and the snow continues to fly in Detroit, it is almost time to belly up to the Hot Stove. Trades and free agency will begin to be discussed and the Tigers may dabble with both.
They do have needs, as you know, so it’s not too soon to consider what they might do in the off-season.
Holly and Kurt have not shared their answers to the following question for the purpose of offering a wider range of perspectives.
So let’s get to it and see what our writers have to say.
What moves do our two bloggers expect the Tigers to address during this Hot Stove season?
HOLLY
Not much, which may just be the re-assurance we need that this team is close to being sold. But there are still holes to be filled because the prospect hopefuls aren’t enough and the organization needs to continue the illusion that they are fielding an MLB-level team.
If we look solely at the non-pitching players, the most dire needs (quite frankly, most positions are in dire need) are at catcher and second base.
At the recent GM meetings, Al Avila said that Niko Goodrum is expected to be this coming season’s shortstop. He also mentioned that he wants a veteran catcher on a short-term contract given that his 4 catchers in 2019 completely disappointed.
For one such veteran, Al just may be able to offer free room and board as well as make peace with his wife for trading their son in the first place.
Last season, the Tigers were the only MLB team to not participate in the late summer waiver wire. They signed 4 free agents to major league contracts over the winter of 2018 and each one fizzled for a combined $15+ mill, so don’t expect them to head there again.
Last year, they signed a staggering 20 older journeymen to minor league contracts (more than any other team) and also claimed 6 other players off the waiver wires in a very visible effort to not spend money.
They will most likely continue their strategy of bargain bin rummaging with the hopes that lightning may strike with one or more panning out and making the team.
KURT
I expect nothing hoping to be surprised. Expect the same strategy as we saw last year, as confusing as it was.
If they were journeymen free agents, they were candidates to become Tigers. If they were viewed as players who could come to Detroit and experience enough of a comeback to become valuable at the trade deadline, get fitted for your uniform.
It will be the same, tired strategy the Tigers have used the last 2 seasons. In 2018, they had some luck with free agents and their perceived value at the deadline.
In 2019, everyone the Tigers signed fell flat on their faces; it was a complete disaster.
If there is anything certain with this team, it’s their need for a veteran catcher, which by all indications, will be filled by Alex Avila.
Additionally, they are going to need 1 or 2 more pitchers to fill out that rotation or at least compete for a spot. So expect the Tigers to hunt for more sleepers who can supplement their rotation until the youngsters start filling those holes.
Totally Tigers loves your comments! But please remember that responses are only published if they address today’s topic, are respectful and do not exceed the maximum 3-4 sentence response length. All rules are at: https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/commentsrules/.
It is about the great risk – the increasing risk – that technology poses to the game.
This is a blog about cheating and preserving the integrity of the game, especially as legalized gambling and MLB’s recent deal with MGM could set the table for a Black Sox 1919 scandal redux.
It is about what needs to be done in order to prevent future problems. It is about what should be done. It is about preventing more of the same.
Everyone is aware of the current cheating scandal focused on the Houston Astros. The details about how they used video monitors and garbage cans to steal the opposing battery signs from their opponents and relay the pitch type to their batters at the plate.
And according to MLB rules, using technology to steal signs is expressly prohibited and recently re-affirmed with updated rules. Ironically, back in 2017, the same year once again in question, the Red Sox were punished for using Apple watches to steal signs from the Yankees. An opponent, btw, who was also fined for using dugout phones to do the same thing.
Both teams were assessed undisclosed fines for this sporadic foray into dabbling at cheating. Not at all comparable to what we are learning about the Astros level of effort.
After the Boston and NY episodes, MLB put all 30 teams on warning with the threat that further similar actions would result in much more serious punishment such as the loss of draft picks.
It’s apparent that the Astros weren’t listening.
Which brings us to what level of punishment would be appropriate for Houston. And in order to assess, let’s review the latest information in order to give an accurate picture of the depth of their willingness to consistently break the rules.
There are now multiple pieces of evidence showing that the Astros planned a full-blown strategy for cheating including using MLB’s live feed to steal signs. They include:
1. Testimony from at least 4 former players and several scouts.
2. Multiple emails from top Front Office executives asking scouts and others for help in ascertaining the best system for setting up technology to be used in stealing signs.
3. Video (with sound) of a garbage can being hit 1-2 times right after the signs had been given and just before the pitch was thrown.
4. Video of the bullpen coach draping his arms (or not) over walls to signify fastball or off-speed pitches.
5. A comparison of home and away Astros’ hitters stats showing a huge (and startlingly so) difference in performance greatly favoring the home stats. Players like Jose Altuve hitting 3 HRs in a single game during the playoffs is just one more example.
6. Pictures and video of an additional monitor and laptop set up near the steps to the dugout. Gatorade towels hung strangely overhead to shield them from being seen by official security monitors.
7. Pictures of players at the steps just before they walk into the dugout showing them looking at the tv screens. Some of them getting ready to bat.
8. A playoff record at home in which they went 8-1 against the Dodgers, Yankees and Red Sox. Away, where they were unable to steal signs, they went 3-6.
What we learn from all of this is that there was a concerted and detailed effort to create an effective system of cheating. An egregious – and arrogant – breaking of the rules. An intent so clearly far beyond what other teams have done.
Evidence seems to support that multiple people were on board, at least one going so far as to authorize the purchase and installation of tv equipment. Equipment that was not hidden in a corner but for everyone who walked those corridors to clearly see.
It means that someone or some people within the Front Office came up with the idea and got the ball rolling. GM Jeff Luhnow’s assistant was one of those who put the illegal intent into emails that were recovered.
It also means that every player, especially the hitters, knew what was going on. Even the pitchers knew. Cue Mike Fiers.
It means that the coaches had to know. And the manager, too. They heard the banging. They saw the monitors. They walked past the laptop.
It also means that few Astros, if any, could plead innocent to not knowing what was going on.
But here is where it gets tricky as MLB ponders their punishment.
A number of players have left Houston since 2017. Carlos Beltran, a player then, is now the manager of the NY Mets. Alex Cora, an Astros coach, went on to manage the Red Sox . Hitting coach, Dave Hudgens, is with the Jays now.
The stain has essentially spread and is no longer containable.
Much discussion has taken place concerning the brazen plan to steal signs. However, little has been said about how MLB should punish those responsible.
That’s where I’m turning it over to you, dear readers, to voice your opinion about what should be done. Cast your vote below – and as always, share your thoughts in the comments section.
Totally Tigers loves your comments! But please remember that responses are only published if they address today’s topic, are respectful and do not exceed the maximum 3-4 sentence response length. All rules are at: https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/commentsrules/.
Out of 30 teams at the end of this year, there were 4 General Manager (sometimes substituted with VP of Operations, depending upon the team) openings.
And not one of these organizations asked Dave Dombrowski to come interview for their job.
Quite a change for someone who was once considered one of the best GMs in baseball. Someone who was secretly job hunting before Mr. I released him from his contract back in 2015 and almost immediately got his new job offer from the Red Sox by the time he cleaned out his office at Comerica.
But now, times have changed. Baseball has advanced.
Trader Dave kept the same skill set that earned him accolades for decades instead of staying current and developing new strategies. And that’s what got him fired less than a year after helping Boston win the World Series.
The story will sound very familiar to Tiger fans.
A GM who took a payroll of app. $180 million and boosted it to $236 mill in just 4 short years. The Red Sox have had MLB’s largest payroll for the past 2 years.
A GM who filled the team with stars and multiple-year expensive contracts.
A GM who traded away so many prospects that ownership eventually took away his trading privileges. A farm system that now ranks dead last in MLB.
A GM who could never really figure out how to build a bullpen but put together stellar starting pitching.
The only real difference between his stints in Boston and Detroit is that he helped bring a World Series championship to New England.
But many are noticing that he’s doing to the Red Sox what he did to the Tigers. Departures both characterized by bare-bones farm systems, expensive contracts that may be hard-to-impossible to move, an exploding payroll and challenges to extending players they would like to keep.
Ageing players like David Price who will receive $100 mill over the next 3 years. Chris Sale’s injury that may require surgery eventually and a $145 mill contract that goes 6 more years. DH-only guys like J.D. Martinez who decided not to opt out which now has made keeping players like Mookie Betts almost impossible.
It’s a strategy that only focuses on winning in the near term with complete disregard for the future.
And that is in contrast to today’s game where teams are increasingly concentrating on long-term sustainability and competiveness. Teams are hanging onto their prospects with iron fists and are practicing much better fiscal responsibility and an eye towards the bottom line.
Dave, on the other hand, always needed lots of money to do what he did. He was a man with short-term goals of winning. He was a man who didn’t consider a team’s future beyond that championship parade.
And he is now a dinosaur.
If you really want to see how quickly baseball is evolving, just look at profiles of every team’s GM.
The first notable trend is how young the sport has skewed. Dave now ranks as one of the oldest in the biz at age 63.
Eleven GMs are in their 30’s. Thirteen are in their 40’s. Four are over 50 and only 2 are in their 60’s.
The second benchmark is their education. Twelve have graduated from Ivy League colleges with another 6 from other elite colleges. They received degrees in business, economics, sports-related majors and psychology. Six GMs have multiple degrees, usually with “Harvard” written on their diplomas.
The third trend is baseball experience, once considered a requisite for anyone in the industry. Almost one-third of today’s GMs have zero baseball experience of any kind. That includes not even playing in high school or college. A full 24 of them never played a day in the MLB systems.
Both Dombrowski and his successor, Al Avila, are of the old-school variety. Both among the very oldest (Avila is 61) with no specialized degrees from elite colleges. Avila has over a quarter of a century working in Front Offices while Trader Dave has over 40 years.
The majority of GMs today have 10-15 years of total Front Office experience. Nine GMs have been in their jobs longer than Al Avila (since 2015). A whopping 19 GMs have been hired since Al inherited his job. Only 3 other GMs have more job experience than the Tigers current boss.
In a complete 180, the Red Sox hired Chaim Bloom away from the Tampa Bay Rays. You know, the team that consistently does very well on MLB’s lowest payroll. He is credited with making the Rays into baseball’s most innovative team and usually described as the guy who “works magic” with whatever he touches.
Bloom is also 36 years old, never played the game and graduated from Yale with a major in….Latin Studies.
It’s quite a change that the Bosox made. Not just a change in management, but a change in direction. A change in strategy. A change in how things will be done going into the future.
Bloom was hired to mop up Dave’s mess and get them back on firm footing. But who will be mopping up for the Tigers’? One of MLB’s oldest of the old-school guys?
Totally Tigers loves your comments! But please remember that responses are only published if they address today’s topic, are respectful and do not exceed the maximum 3-4 sentence response length. All rules are at: https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/commentsrules/.
To finish off the long holiday weekend, readers get another chance to be heard. Yep, one more opportunity to comment on the Tiger topic of your choosing.
Totally Tigers 