THE SATURDAY SURVEY

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Earlier this week, the Detroit Tigers made it official. Signing a shortstop for next year is a priority.

They currently do not have anyone in the pipeline who will be ready within the next couple of years which means that they need a player who can fill the position for multiple years.

The question is just how many years are they willing to go?

Al Avila referenced the Tigers’ history of lengthy, expensive signings:

“Sometimes a big splash turns out wrong for you.” 

“…we’re going to make sure whatever decisions we make free-agency wise, that it doesn’t sink this organization for years to come, but it builds this organization for years to come.” 

The Tigers still have Miguel Cabrera’s contract on the books for another 2 years at $64 million.

Given all of this, there will be a number of solid shortstops entering free agency in several weeks. A few of them come with a high profile, like Carlos Correa. Most of the top 5 are expected to want substantial contracts.

Correa has already turned down a contract for 6 years/ $125 million and it is believed that he wants one similar to Francisco Lindor’s at 10 years/$340 million.

Al Avila has also stated that the Tigers also need at least 2 more starting pitchers and a catcher. Given all of this, what kind of a contract should the Tigers offer a free agent shortstop?

What did you miss on our Twitter feed yesterday?

  • Dave Dombrowski is at it again.
  • Justin Verlander is giving us hints about where he wants to be next year.

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20 thoughts on “THE SATURDAY SURVEY”

  1. Should know within another year if Kriedler is for real and within four if Pacheco is the long term answer. So Simeon might be the answer. A high yearly rate, heavy incentives, 2 yr opt out. Or maybe Story would come for that sort of offer. And he brings the best glove of the group to add to AJ’S budding defense.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Naldo: Simien will want want too much money and longer contract because of the HR’s he hit. Of the present FAs at SS there is also Iggy, although I recall problems he had with other Tiger players when he left, Taylor of the Dodgers, or maybe one others in their 30s could also work. Personally, I’d rather suffer with Zack Short and Harold Castro than deal with Niko and Willie’s poor hitting, subpar fielding and everything else.

      Liked by 4 people

    • What about a trade for the Birds Severino? With Rutscham ready to role, Severino could be had reasonably from a rebuilding team. The FA catching class is incredibly weak and/or old. A 28 year old Severino, sporting good defensive metrics,, could hold fort for Dingler.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. I voted for 4 years or less but IMO all contracts should be games played/ performance based. I guess the players association doesn’t allow contracts like that? It’s not right to have to pay a players full salary if he’s hurt in game one and can’t play the rest of the year.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Sounds like you would have them paid weekly or monthly? Bear in mind a player’s salary is held artificially low for the first six years under team control. The only fair process in your season would have him become a free agent every week or month too. Me, I am not such a big fan of ownership and the reserve clause.

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      • I guess I don’t understand the way players get paid Hughie. I thought a rookie just up from the minors gets paid 550,000 a year. If say an 8 million a year player gets hurt on day one and is finished for the season he should get that 550,000 and his medical bills paid. If I would get hurt on the job I wouldn’t get my full salary.

        Liked by 1 person

      • You’re right that teams are hurt by highly-paid players who are injured for most or all of the remaining games in a season. But most injuries aren’t that serious. How do players and owners figure out who is coming back for most of the remaining games and who isn’t?

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Look,the 2021 team finished 20th or worse in RBI, HR, Avg. OBPS and our team fielding was also 3rd-rate, especially in the infield. This is the time to pay market rate for a STAR shortstop as so many top tier players are entering free agency, and if Kriedler is the real deal he will be a great trade chip. Let’s quit leaning on AAAA players and patching with discards. Time for Chris to put on his big boy pants and compete.

    Liked by 3 people

  5. A thought – Patch the SS with a trade with KC for Mondesi. They have Lopez and Whitt coming up in 22. He is serviceable and relatively cheap with arb for 1 year at $2.5 for next few until FA when our prospects are ready.

    Liked by 2 people

    • What would we have, not named Greene or Torkelson, that KC would want? I agree on the trades though. With AJ hooked to Al’s right hand and with Garko and crew making decisions trades could yield some positive results. Mondesi, although oft injured, could be really exciting in Commerica.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Pitching, Naldo. The higher value the asset they ask in return the higher the value I ask for above mondo. He’s dead weight, has no role there in next two years, so he will likely languish.

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  6. Unless a truly good deal comes along for a SS, I would `name Harold Castro the starting SS for 2022. He doesn’t hit for power, but he is the best, most dependable, clutch hitter the Tigers have had in a long time with a high batting average under any circumstances, and his fielding at SS has been more than adequate, with much potential to improve with regular playing time.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Perhaps, but Harold’s real value is as an elite LH bat in a utility role. Harold has been exposed somewhat against southpaws. The old adage applies, if it ain’t broke don’t try to fix it. Also, Harold thrives in his current role and when he enters a game is ready and up to speed.

      Liked by 2 people

    • Relying on Harold Castro is tempting. His lack of power is probably what Avila will expect to surpass in a free agent. But unless Avila gets a deal–probably an affordable, career-cresting FA–Harold Castro should be given much consideration in 2022. Then if he slumps at the plate or in his fielding, look around the FA options again next winter.

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  7. Never sign defensive first position players(c-sp-ss-cf) they have shortest effective career lifespans. Develop them yourselves and get corner slugger’s as you go. Just like 80’s tigers . Of that group only Morris and Whitaker had effective mid to late thirties careers. The rest were hobbled and became support players.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. In the Ilitch/Avila reality, signing any of the top FA shortstops is a non starter.
    I’d see if LA’s Chris Taylor is receptive to a four year deal. While he plays all over the diamond and is not primarily a SS, you will likely get him at a discounted rate because I bet he years to play every day. He is a good fit for the ballpark. Kind of a Robbie Grossman type signing – nothing flashy but brings many tools to the job.

    Liked by 3 people

  9. As long as we have begun to hire ex- Dodger execs, shouldn’t we pursue their SS? I know, Boros client, but he is a player and a winner.

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  10. Since Al Avila gave away most of our good players in exchange for “prospects” starting in 2017, the Tigers have had one of the lowest payrolls in MLB. If the Tigers are going to sign some free agents (short stop, starting pitchers, catcher, etc) I would prefer that they pursue the top free agents- not the one-year bargain basement type players Avila has been signing. The old adage, “You win with (good) players” is still true.

    Liked by 2 people

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