TUESDAY TIDBITS

By Holly Horning

We’re flipping the blog schedule around a little bit this week due to the news that came from the Tigers’ camp late last week.  So today, let’s pretend it’s really Monday and cover those smaller stories hitting the media.

These tidbits may be bite-size, but often they are just as important as the headline-grabbing news.  Sometimes, even more.

So, let’s kick off this week’s musings… er, tidbits.

---

The Cubs are continuing the trend of some teams to fund new off-season training programs for a select number of their top prospects. The program is more like a summer camp in that it is 4-months long and an intensive program that also covers the costs of housing, meals and transportation.

The Tigers are not doing anything like this yet, despite replenishing a farm system with top draft prospects. While I don’t expect A. J. Hinch’s and Ryan Garko’s influence to create immediate solutions, I will be watching closely to see if Detroit moves more quickly to become updated and proactive in their player development.

The Tigers have never been great at developing a conditioning program of their players. I am reminded of when Bo Schembechler became the President of the Tigers in 1990 and was horrified to learn that Detroit had no training or conditioning program in place. The Tigers expected their players to come to camp fully conditioned on their own with no expert guidance. Bo ended up bringing in his Michigan football trainers to help out.

Thirty years later, this department continues to be seriously behind the times.

---

Former Commissioner, Fay Vincent, wrote a shocking opinion piece on the failure of the Hall of Fame voters to get it right.  And boy, did he hear it from the readers.

Vincent has always been outspoken but this particular piece challenged history as well as the standards of civilized society.  Simplifying events in order to serve his narrative.

Specifically, he was upset that Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens were not in Cooperstown.  He wrote:  “The writers seem to have punished Messrs. Bonds and Clemens for steroid use, though neither tested positive…”

Never mind the fact that everyone saw both of them grown physically larger.  Never mind that Bonds grew so much that his jersey size changed from a size 42 to a size 52.  Or that his hat size increased substantially.  And his feet?  They went from a size 10.5 to 13.  If that’s not proof that steroids were being used, then what is?

And somehow, if that isn’t enough proof, there’s the BALCO records and testimony.

Like some others, Vincent uses the excuse of players never having tested positive when the fact is that methods of covering up test results remain ahead of the testing methods.  The evidence of PED use comes primarily from documents and testimony in the BALCO and Biogenesis cases.  With Alex Rodriguez, it was his medical “advisor’s” partner who was stiffed financially and released a ream of medical records to a Florida newspaper implicating ARod.  Within these documents were clear instructions about how to beat drug testing results.

Mr. Vincent conveniently forgets all about this.

But his most shocking revelation is his call to “dump the character standard.”  He writes: “By trying to inject nobility into its election standards, the Hall of Fame aimed to maintain the old-fashioned view that honors should accrue to the honorable. Messrs. Bonds and Clemens may not have been saints, but they were great players. Pretending anything else matters is hypocrisy. “

In other words, he says that character is old-fashioned and no really longer matters.  And that the end results, no matter the methods, is what counts.

Maybe he should be listening to those currently in the Hall.  While he was alive, Joe Morgan was the voice of the Hall of Famers, expressing how dissatisfied they were with PED cheaters and how they should never be elected. 

This year, a number of Cooperstown members told the Board of Directors that they would not attend the ceremonies this summer if players like Bonds or Clemens were elected.

Apparently, character still matters to them.

Especially to Hank Aaron who said “My feeling has always been the same — the game of baseball has no place for cheaters. There’s no place in the Hall of Fame for people who cheat.”

That’s good enough for me.

Which one of these stories resonated the most with you?

(Comments are limited to a MAXIMUM of 3 sentences. Please see the complete list of rules at the link above in order for your comments to be approved.)

---

What did you miss on our Twitter feed yesterday? (And why aren’t you following TT yet?)

• The very best article, hands down, ever written about why PED users have no place in the Hall of Fame.

Get your Totally Tigers fix beyond this blog.  We publish breaking news, national stories of note, videos, observations and polls throughout the day.  Every day.

Click here: https://twitter.com/totallytigersbb or simply enter “totally tigers bb” (make sure you add the “bb”!) in the search box at twitter.com and click on “Follow.”

MONDAY MUSINGS

by Holly Horning

We interrupt the regularly-scheduled blog because of something that happened late last week. And it left us all looking like this:

You know what I’m talking about…

The L’s are back. Legendary Lloyd and his close friend Jim Leyland, who clearly still retains the power to persuade.

Just when we thought that the Tigers had turned the corner and moved on from the Marlins/Pittsburgh/Detroit group mentality and ways, we were caught off-guard with the re-hiring of Lloyd McClendon as AAA’s manager.

First of all, new manager (who never got to manage), Gary Jones, was promoted to the Tigers’ 1B coaching job after the passing of Kimera Bartee. Jones spent 3 years as the third base coach for the Cubs, working with Javier Baez during this time.

But the Tigers have now hired Lloyd 4 times. He’s close to Jim Leyland, having played and coached for him in both Pittsburgh and Detroit. The two have been friends for over 30 years.

Leyland was the one who originally brought him to Detroit.

It’s telling that McClendon couldn’t get another job in baseball after he left the team in 2020. Even with so many teams looking to fill their coaching ranks over the past 2 seasons. But every time he was fired from another job (Mariners and Pirates), the Tigers kept taking him back.

Needless to say, no one was expecting him to return after he, his manager and most of the other coaches were released in 2020. He’s old school and preaches outdated methods.

Last year, I wrote a blog about a national article detailing how antiquated Lloyd’s coaching was. It highlighted how, under his tutelage, young Tigers suffered and regressed in their development, esp. hitting.

DATED AND HATED WAYS

So it simply makes no sense that someone so outdated in his ways would earn a position with a new crew known to be the most modern and successful at player development.

So how did it happen?

There are a couple viable explanations.

First of all, this simply had to be a hire that Leyland pushed through Al Avila. Jim and Al go back decades to when they were both with the Marlins.

It’s highly unlikely that either Scott Bream or Ryan Garko would have green-lighted such a hire on their own.

The bottom line is that Lloyd had to have an advocat to push him across the finish line. Can you think of more than 1 likely candidate who wields that kind of power?

Let’s not forget that Jim Leyland was the one responsible for bringing his friend, Tom Prince, to Toledo as their manager after he was fired from the Pirates. He did it once, he can do it again.

This move has Leyland’s fingerprints all over it and until the day the Tigers throw him an official retirement party, he will continue to unduly influence those within the Front Office with whom he is friends.

Just when we thought that “old school” clique was finally being pushed out the door, many of us continue to be surprised at the influence Jim Leyland is allowed to wield within the organization as merely a “special assistant” while not even holding an executive title. We haven’t seen the other special assistants – Kirk Gibson, Willie Horton, Lance Parrish, Mike Russell or Alan Trammell – influence the organization anywhere close to this degree.

As long as Leyland has the ability to convince Avila to insert his friends into jobs despite their track records, this will continue to mess with the speed and success of the rebuild program. More importantly, if the top new brass feel they are being undermined, it may get them thinking about going elsewhere if their goals aren’t being achieved.

And if Hinch feels his plan is being upended, would this be enough for him to consider exercising his opt-out clause after the 2022 season? Afterall, the Jones hire was definitely Hinch-influenced. The McClendon one was not.

But now, let’s step away from the cliff for a second and consider another potential explanation.

There is a possibility that McClendon is a stopgap solution. Bartee passed away just one month ago and the Tigers had to find his replacement asap. That meant Jones’ promotion and filling the now-vacant AAA manager position had to be done with just a couple weeks before the start of spring training.

Maybe the Tigers couldn’t find the right candidate. Or that it was too late in the season to find another suitable candidate. Or, potentially the people they wanted have contracts with other teams. Most coaching slots are filled in November.

Also consider that any new AAA manager has to get up to speed once hired. Maybe there wasn’t enough time for someone unfamiliar with the organization to be able to do that. Maybe the only viable option was someone who already had some experience with the Mud Hens.

We can only hope that those are the reasons.

But now that McClendon is back, will this open the door for him to bring back some of the old gang in Toledo?

Let’s see if he’s allowed to hire anyone or if Bream and Garko will maintain control over any other hirings.

Yet, I still shudder at the thought that Lloyd will mess with the development of Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene. Or any of the other top draft prospects.

The other clue to watch is the revamped player development department. Garko has expanded this arm of the organization and brought in a number of new hires who will oversee development and coaching in the minors.

They include directors of minor league operations, player development, pitching, coaching and fielding. Under them are a variety of minor league coordinators who will oversee and regulate how players are taught the new “Tigers Way.”

Maybe the Tigers have moved to a system where the manager is simply the conduit while others are really in charge of the shaping.

At least, let’s hope so.

We can also expect A. J. Hinch to continue his pattern of asking for weekly reports and phone calls from each of the minor league managers. Reports that would provide feedback to the Front Office. They were part of the reason why former AAA manager, Tom Prince, was fired.

But the Tigers really need to create a stable, successful environment in AAA. They’ve had 6 managers in 7 years. They need to find the right solution and I don’t think I’m alone in believing that Lloyd is not it.

Let’s just hope that a solid minor league manager candidate becomes available very, very soon.

In the meantime, we can’t help but think about the return to “deja-vu all over again.” However, while the current managerial battle may have been lost, I don’t think that the new splendid player development hires will lose the war. So I will leave you with this:

(Comments are limited to a MAXIMUM of 3 sentences. Please see the complete list of rules at the link above in order for your comments to be approved.)

---

What did you miss on our Twitter feed yesterday? (And why aren’t you following TT yet?)

• The Players Union appears to have their first CBA win.

Get your Totally Tigers fix beyond this blog.  We publish breaking news, national stories of note, videos, observations and polls throughout the day.  Every day.

Click here: https://twitter.com/totallytigersbb or simply enter “totally tigers bb” (make sure you add the “bb”!) in the search box at twitter.com and click on “Follow.”

DEEPER DISCUSSIONS

We have now experienced a decade of intense debate over Hall of Fame elections and players who most likely used PEDs extensively.

Fans and writers, however not former players, have a variety of opinions about the infamous character clause that asks voters to consider the sportsmanship, integrity and character of each nominee.

It doesn’t appear that this yearly frictional event will be over anytime soon. While Bonds, Clemens et al are officially now off the ballot, they can still be nominated in their respective Era Committee. There are also others, like Alex Rodriquez, who just had their first of 10 years on the ballot.

Given that MLB has no jurisdiction, what should the Hall of Fame and BBWAA do? Should they keep things as is and allow writers to interpret players’ info and background?

Or should they take a more definitive stand and implement a universal standard that recognizes these players without inducting them into the Hall? Potentially, a section devoted to that era of the game?

If so, should the PED history of that time be explained while also acknowledging what these players did? Including their accomplishments and stats?

What do you think they should do?

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?

(Please see the complete list of rules at the link above in order for your comments to be approved.)

---

Get your Totally Tigers fix beyond this blog.  We publish breaking news, national stories of note, videos, observations and polls throughout the day.  Every day.

Click here: https://twitter.com/totallytigersbb or simply enter “totally tigers bb” (make sure you add the “bb”!) in the search box at twitter.com and click on “Follow.”

SATURDAY SURVEY

Several days ago, the Detroit Tigers made some coaching and managerial moves. New AAA Manager, Gary Jones, was promoted to the Detroit where he will be the new 1B coach. He has previous experience as a third base coach, working for 3 years with Javier Baez. His promotion fills the void created by the passing of Kimera Bartee earlier this year.

Replacing him in Toledo will be the familiar face of Lloyd McClendon. Lloyd has been unemployed since leaving Detroit in 2020. He played and also coached for Jim Leyland with the Pirates and Tigers. The two have known each other for over 30 years and are known to be close friends.

McClendon has had 3 stints (now 4) with the Tigers in a variety of coaching roles and interim manager. He was also the AAA manager for 1 year back in 2016 after being fired as the Mariners’ manager .

Since A. J. Hinch was hired, the Tigers have systematically been replacing the long-time Marlins/Pittsburgh/Detroit clique of coaches with younger ones from some of MLB’s top teams. McClendon’s return appears to have changed this pattern.

Why do you think the Tigers have re-hired him now for the 4th time?

(Comments are limited to a MAXIMUM of 3 sentences. Please see the complete list of rules at the link above in order for your comments to be approved.)

---

What did you miss on our Twitter feed yesterday? (And why aren’t you following TT yet?)

• A visit to the Ty Cobb museum is chronicled.

Get your Totally Tigers fix beyond this blog.  We publish breaking news, national stories of note, videos, observations and polls throughout the day.  Every day.

Click here: https://twitter.com/totallytigersbb or simply enter “totally tigers bb” (make sure you add the “bb”!) in the search box at twitter.com and click on “Follow.”

FIVE FOR FRIDAY

by Holly Horning

The clock on the new season is ticking away and MLB and the Players Union have started to meet once again.

Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report in just 3 short weeks and some of those in baseball, along with fans, are starting to worry. There’s not much wiggle room left for a new CBA to be hammered out before spring training starts.

But while many hold dire thoughts, I am of the opposite mind. I believe that baseball will either start on time or only be slightly delayed.

And I’ve got 5 reasons why……

---

There was a rush since the last pitch of the World Series by teams to sign free agents. And players moving quickly, too, to get new contracts before the CBA expired on December 1st. No one makes those job and monetary commitments if there’s any doubt that the season will be significantly shortened or cancelled.

---

While teams can’t contact other organizations or players at all, they’ve been very busy beefing up their own organizations. Front Offices, including the Tigers, are expanding with new departments and hires. You don’t do that if you believe they won’t have much work to do this season. These moves tell us they believe business will be normal.

---

Because the minor leagues have no affiliation with the Players Union, their year will be normal, no matter what. And teams are busy signing MiLB players, esp. to AAA, so they can start their season on time and hopefully contribute to the parent team in the near future. They wouldn’t be preparing their camps, gathering their managers, coaches, etc. and spending money on signings if there was any question that there wouldn’t be a season. A number of organizations are holding winter-long specialized training camps for their top players as well that includes housing , travel and meals.

---

Everyone learned lessons from the 1994-95 baseball strike that killed the end of a season, post-season play and part of the next season. Teams each lost 3-figure millions. But most importantly, severe damage was done to the sport. Millions of fans left and a significant number of them never returned.

Baseball has been losing fans yearly for the last decade and they can’t afford to lose any more if a season is significantly delayed or cancelled.

---

Covid hit in 2020 and managed to destroy 2/3rds of the season. Teams lost millions. The Tigers lost the least amount – $85 million while others were in the red by over a quarter of a billion dollars.

They are still trying to recoup what they lost. Trust me, they aren’t going to want to stop or delay revenue by shortening the season in any way. Owners want every single game of this season played.

As further motivation, tv and other media contracts don’t start paying off until games are played. There are a lot of contracts that don’t start generating revenue until the call of “play ball!” is heard.

In the end, it’s all about the money and owners don’t want to lose revenue or to be unable to recover from their losses in 2020. They have way more to lose than the players.

(Comments are limited to a MAXIMUM of 3 sentences. Please see the complete list of rules at the link above in order for your comments to be approved.)

---

What did you miss on our Twitter feed yesterday? (And why aren’t you following TT yet?)

• The reasons AAA Manager Gary Jones got promoted.
• Oh no, just when you thought he was gone from Detroit for good, he’s baaaaack.….

Get your Totally Tigers fix beyond this blog.  We publish breaking news, national stories of note, videos, observations and polls throughout the day.  Every day.

Click here: https://twitter.com/totallytigersbb or simply enter “totally tigers bb” (make sure you add the “bb”!) in the search box at twitter.com and click on “Follow.”

CONUNDRUM IN COOPERSTOWN

by Holly Horning

Baseball fans, former players and MLB dodged a bullet last night as the results of the election for the Hall of Fame were announced.

Well, kinda.

Maybe not the announcement some fans were looking for, but at least, the system was not entirely blown up.

It could have been way, way worse.

Yes, David Ortiz was voted into Cooperstown.  The same man who was released by the Minnesota Twins in 2002 because the Twins couldn’t find a trade partner and they opted to bring in a Rule 5 pick to replace him.

A man who ended up signing a 1-year contract with the Red Sox in 2003 and later than year tested positive for PEDs on a test study done by MLB – and leaked to the press 6 years later.

His 2003 season offensive performance was remarkable as every important statistical category improved significantly that year.

Coincidence?  You tell me.

When most players start to slow down performance-wise in their early 30’s, Big Papi was just getting started.  His best years ran from age 29 through 40.  What really sticks out is his increased production from age 37 – 40 with numbers that consistently ticked upwards.  Esp. his last year at age 40.

Tell me that’s normal.

His other really stellar year?  2013.  Yeah, Tiger fans know about that season.

If Oritz has anyone to thank, it’s Rob Manfred, who publicly defended Oritz and threw shade on the test results because they weren’t “official” and shouldn’t be used to judge Big Papi.

But what few have brought up is the 3-year investigation by the FBI and DEA over Ortiz’s constant companion who was a Dominican drug dealer. And then there was Big Papi’s gambling, in which he bet heavily on Red Sox games in 2005.  Something that didn’t escape MLB’s investigators.

The story continues to unfold as police continue to explore the shooting of Ortiz 2 years ago in the Dominican Republic by a rival of his drug-dealing friend.

But other than that, Ortiz is hailed as hero in Boston.

And that’s where I’m headed today.  Baseball writers who ignore information, make excuses or impose double standards on players in order to push their chosen ones into Cooperstown.

Everyone sees the stats.  Players like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens achieving their biggest and best numbers after the age of 34 when the majority of players are trending downward.  They ignore Clemens improbably winning 4 Cy Youngs between the ages of 34-41.  Bonds putting up eye-popping numbers from age 36-40 and winning 4 straight MVP Awards while compiling a .349 BA and insane .559 OBP, while averaging 52 homers. 

It doesn’t get more obvious than this, yet too many baseball writers voted for them anyway.

We spent the last month reading multiple reporters’ ballots.  Journalists who were flogging their choices and writing front page articles on their decisions.  And the majority of them were casting their votes for Bonds, Clemens and other suspected PED users.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who was left wondering how they could rationalize their votes and how out of the perceived mainstream viewpoints we appeared to be.  And as I look back, I realize that in all probability that this was a concerted PR effort to sway other voters into casting similar ballots.  It really did appear that Bonds, Clemens et al would get the required votes.

In their efforts to do so, every excuse for voting them in was offered.

One writer said that because the character clause was rarely invoked in the past that it should not be part of the voting.  Another actually said that since Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis wrote the character clause into the process, it should be ignored because Landis was a segregationist.

Another even wrote that since there were already PED users in the Hall, that it was OK to vote the rest of them in.  That it wouldn’t be fair if they were left out.

Others felt that those who committed physical violence against women were acceptable but one who practiced free speech that they didn’t like, wouldn’t make the cut.

Omar Vizquel, via police records, committed domestic violence and sexual harassment  – not acceptable to most of those voting.  However, Barry Bonds, also via police records and court statements, beat his wife (even while she was pregnant) for 6 years.  But it’s OK to vote him in.

Throw in lying under oath to Congress, obstructing justice, having a long-term relationship with a minor while married and being tied to her suicide are also ignored by many of the journalists who seem to have two sets of rules for judging different levels of player performance.

Now, it’s a completely different story when we look at how those in Cooperstown, combined with former players, have reacted to the voting.

They are on a very different page.

And it was evident when panels of players discussed the possible results yesterday.  A fight almost broke out on tv. That’s how passionate they are about not allowing PED users into the Hall.

Last week, I wrote about how a number of current Hall of Famers have told the powers that be that if certain PED users were voted in, they would not attend the ceremony.  Joe Morgan, may he rest in peace, was the leader and spokesperson for those in Cooperstown who didn’t want to see the credibility or the honor destroyed.

It is clear that those who played are in direct opposition to many of the writers who vote.

If you watched some of the programs on Tuesday, the shows emphasized the “sportsmanship, character, integrity” part of the character clause.  Make no mistake, it was important to them.  And all of them agreed that even if you put up great numbers before turning to PEDs, your eligibility should be negated by the cheating.

Even as the final results were being announced, the full statement about character was being read by the Hall to everyone tuning in.  It’s something that couldn’t be ignored. And one ponered how players like Bonds and Clemens could possibly be voted in given those words.

Wasn’t it a relief when they weren’t?

If they had, the worst case scenario would have kicked in.  The floodgates would have opened, allowing all the other PED users to enter Cooperstown in the ensuing years.

And as a result, the honor and credibility of the entire Baseball Hall of Fame would have been destroyed.

Instead, writers voted in the most popular of the players.  One in which there is still some doubt about PED usage. It was the safest choice then available.

Did they feel forced to vote in Ortiz because no one made the cut a year ago? Many had speculated that not inducting any players in 2 straight years would be problematic.

Or did those writers who chose not to push their narrative and publish their ballots win out?  Did they see the unrepairable damage that could have been done?

Have these writers made a silent statement and drawn a line?  That 2 of the most egregious cheaters, and those similar to them, will never get in?  That voting in Bonds who held an “unofficially” official record of the most HRs was simply too damaging to the history of baseball?

Would they have voted him in if he hadn’t exceeded Hank Aaron’s record?

Many of these players are now off the ballot.  However, they will be up for consideration once again later this year when the Today’s Game Era Committee meets to assemble a ballot for induction next year. (Conflicting reports have Lou Whitaker in both the Today’s Game and also the Modern Era. It’s conceivable that he could qualify for both categories.)

Those involved are Hall of Fame members, veteran media and baseball executives. All are appointed by Cooperstown’s Board of Directors.

But be forewarned. The last time this group met, they were heavily lobbied by Tony LaRussa and the White Sox owner to elect Harold Baines.

We’ve got to hope none of the above make this upcoming ballot.

For obvious reasons. 

But also because someone name Lou Whitaker should be making this list, not them.

(Comments are limited to a MAXIMUM of 3 sentences. Please see the complete list of rules at the link above in order for your comments to be approved.)

---

What did you miss on our Twitter feed yesterday? (And why aren’t you following TT yet?)

• What will Jackson Jobe be doing in a couple weeks?

Get your Totally Tigers fix beyond this blog.  We publish breaking news, national stories of note, videos, observations and polls throughout the day.  Every day.

Click here: https://twitter.com/totallytigersbb or simply enter “totally tigers bb” (make sure you add the “bb”!) in the search box at twitter.com and click on “Follow.”

WATERCOOLER WEDNESDAY

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 still going into offices, here’s a question to take with you – or use via Zoom calls – as you talk to your co-workers.

Here is today’s hot topic.

---

Yesterday, the Baseball Writers’ Association of America revealed their votes for induction into this year’s Baseball Hall of Fame.

Notable in this year’s ballots was the continuing shadow of PED use among most of the top candidates. Reflected by the voters’ refusal to elect them in all of their eligible years so far. For those believed to use PEDS for many years, this was their last year of eligibility.

Last year, no one was elected.

This year, just one. David Ortiz.

Not without some question about his PED use.

How do you feel about what happened today?

Was justice served? Did the right choice of the entire ballot get in?

Does the reputation and exclusivity of admission to the Baseball Hall of Fame remain intact?

Cast your vote and share your thoughts.

Are you ready?

(Comments are limited to a MAXIMUM of 3 sentences. Please see the complete list of rules at the link above in order for your comments to be approved.)

---

Get your Totally Tigers fix beyond this blog.  We publish breaking news, national stories of note, videos, observations and polls throughout the day.  Every day.

Click here: https://twitter.com/totallytigersbb or simply enter “totally tigers bb” (make sure you add the “bb”!) in the search box at twitter.com and click on “Follow.”

WHAT’S ON SECOND – and I DON’T CARE

(with apologies to Abbott and Costello…..)

by Holly Horning

Under new management, the Tigers spent last year assessing the skills of all the players on the 26-man roster.  Manager A. J. Hinch emphasized all throughout the year that moving players around the field was going to be a key element in terms of who fit in the best and would earn the right to stay.

Things will get very interesting this year as it is likely 2 more non-pitching prospects will hit Detroit.  You know who they are.

And it could be as early as April.  That is, if the owners and players can agree to a new CBA.

And this is where the intrigue may begin.

Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene are not going to be sitting on the bench.  They are going to play as close to full-time as they can (once they’ve been eased in) with concern over ensuring they don’t get burned out in their first year.

Hinch and Jeimer Candelario appear to have squashed the experiment at third base for Torkelson.  He’s now declared to be focused on first base.

Given that, Tork will probably play 4x/week, maybe 5x/week.  Miggy will be there 1-2x/week.  That leaves Eric Haase or a bench player to get a turn at first 1-2/x week.

Which now brings us to Jonathan Schoop.

Given his value to the team, his talent will be wasted at first base if indeed Torkelson is promoted.  Expect him to spend the vast majority of his playing time back at 2^nd.

Also expect Javier Baez to spend the majority of his days at SS.

(For the record, Schoop and Baez can also play each other’s positions.)

What does this mean then for those 2 up-the-middle positions?

That the opportunity for 4 younger players to prove themselves is drying up quickly.

If you’re going to have solid full-time players in Torkelson, Schoop and Baez, there are going to be much fewer reps for Harold Castro, Willi Castro, Isaac Paredes and Zack Short.

The Tigers are finally in the position where a logjam of players has been created.

It’s been awhile.

Currently, the team is at full (expected) roster capacity.  But if Tork and Greene are promoted, then 2 of these 4 are the most likely to go.  Either assigned to Toledo, DFA’d or traded.

All 4 play 3 different positions with both Castros playing the most last year.  Willi did not have a good year at the plate in 2021. However, someone on the Tigers liked him enough that they started to experiment with him in the outfield last year. 

Short is still the least experienced of the 4 and probably the most likely to spend time back in Toledo.  And with a new manager, thankfully.

But Paredes greatly disappointed last year and played the least.  One reason why he is playing winter ball and trying to redeem himself so he can successfully battle for 1 of these spots.

Niko Goodrum is now gone which says that the Tigers have advanced enough in their rebuild that they can afford to release someone with the most experience.  Someone who was a stopgap but not part of the future.

There will definitely be a battle for the bench.

And we can only hope that at least one of these players will show that he is here for the long-term.

(Comments are limited to a MAXIMUM of 3 sentences. Please see the complete list of rules at the link above in order for your comments to be approved.)

---

What did you miss on our Twitter feed yesterday? (And why aren’t you following TT yet?)

• Ken Rosenthal sticks it again to Rob Manfred.

• The latest CBA negotiations and why it benefits Tiger fans.

Get your Totally Tigers fix beyond this blog.  We publish breaking news, national stories of note, videos, observations and polls throughout the day.  Every day.

Click here: https://twitter.com/totallytigersbb or simply enter “totally tigers bb” (make sure you add the “bb”!) in the search box at twitter.com and click on “Follow.”

MONDAY MUSINGS

by Holly Horning

Throughout the week, there are so many smaller stories hitting the media.  They may be bite-size, but often they are just as important as the headline-grabbing news.  Sometimes, even more.

And that’s what brings me to today.  A way to discuss some of these stories. A way to bring them out in the open for discussion.

And that’s the plan for Mondays.  Keeping track of these mighty little bits that hit my radar throughout the week and sharing them with you today because I know one or more will also resonate with you.

So, let’s kick off this week’s musings…

---

With the NY Mets announcing that they have retired another player number, it reminded me of Tiger fans’ concerns that not enough of Detroit’s players have been properly recognized.

The Mets have retired 6 players’ numbers although they have only 2 players in the Hall of Fame. However, they have their own Hall of Fame and 30 of their players are on exhibit.

The Tigers have retired 7 players’ numbers despite having 12 members in the Hall of Fame.

The Mets were founded in 1962 while the Tigers, one of MLB’s oldest teams, dates back to 1894. Detroit has only retired 1 more number than the Mets despite being 68 years older.

---

Baseball writers and broadcasters have, for the most part, run out of things to report while a new CBA gets hammered out. I’m surprised at how lazy and unimaginative many of them are. A good number of those who cover the Tigers haven’t published or tweeted anything in almost one month.

Wouldn’t this be the ideal time to do an in-depth interview with a player, coach or Front Office executive?

But then there are some who are desperate to publish what can only be called click-bait or an attempt at fiction writing. A former GM-turned-analyst recently wrote an article about how the Tigers should trade both Jeimer Candelario and Jackson Jobe for 1 year of Max Chapman before his agent, Scott Boras takes him to free agency. Then 2 days later, in an interview, he “forgot” about that trade and suggested instead that the Tigers go after a back-of-the-rotation innings-eating pitcher.

And then there’s the journalist who stated that despite the signing of Javier Baez, the Tigers still needed to spend $300+ million and sign Carlos Correa as well.

---

The Hall of Fame announcements will happen tomorrow and if you read or listen to interviews, there is a distinct difference between what former players believe and what writers are revealing with their votes.

Many of the journalists who cast votes for the Hall of Fame are backing the consistent PED-users like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. Never mind that they avoid discussing altogether why they ignore significant personal behavior that has seriously impacted, shortened or destroyed the lives of others.

Then you’ve got the players – both Hall of Famers and those retired – who are adamantly opposed to their induction. They believe that the cheating – in order to achieve the desired stats – is a deal-breaker for induction. A number of those already in Cooperstown have threatened to boycott the ceremony.

But just think about what may happen on that day next summer should an inducted PED user get up to give his speech and unveil his plaque. There are going to many very unhappy baseball people and fans.

It’s going to leave a stain.

And it’s this type of thing that continues to chip away at the sport, taking away from its image and desirability. Baseball has steadily been losing fans every year over the past decade and they can’t afford to lose any more.

Which one of these three subjects resonated the most with you?

(Comments are limited to a MAXIMUM of 3 sentences. Please see the complete list of rules at the link above in order for your comments to be approved.)

---

Get your Totally Tigers fix beyond this blog.  We publish breaking news, national stories of note, videos, observations and polls throughout the day.  Every day.

Click here: https://twitter.com/totallytigersbb or simply enter “totally tigers bb” (make sure you add the “bb”!) in the search box at twitter.com and click on “Follow.”

DEEPER DISCUSSIONS

MLB continues its experiment with robot umpires by announcing that it will be used with select AAA teams for this coming season.

The system works via a real umpire who uses an IPhone and ear cord in tandem with a sensor above home plate. That sensor then detects pitch location, relays the data to the IPhone and then sends an audio file to the ump’s ear, telling him to either call a “ball” or “strike.”

It really is not new technology. It is the same system that tv broadcasters use to show viewers pitch location.

This new system is shown to be significantly more accurate than actual umpires, esp. if Angel Hernandez is behind the plate. However, it is not fool-proof as some systems may get off-kilter and need to be re-adjusted.

But it does take the human element out of the game.

Which system is actually better for the game?

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?

(For today only, comments are limited to a MAXIMUM of 6 sentences. Please see the complete list of rules at the link above in order for your comments to be approved.)

---

What did you miss on our Twitter feed yesterday? (And why aren’t you following TT yet?)

• Poll results of this week’s 2 surveys on favorite CBA changes and free agency.

Get your Totally Tigers fix beyond this blog.  We publish breaking news, national stories of note, videos, observations and polls throughout the day.  Every day.

Click here: https://twitter.com/totallytigersbb or simply enter “totally tigers bb” (make sure you add the “bb”!) in the search box at twitter.com and click on “Follow.”