WATERCOOLER WEDNESDAY

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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:

New PoBO Scott Harris told us all to expect a lot of moves when he officially takes over next week.  Those moves could be in the form of both personnel and roster re-imagining.

During his tenure, former GM Al Avila failed to make any strong signings or trades and it’s expected that Harris will attempt to offset some of the $243 million Avila spent on 5 free agents by attempting to trade 1 or more of them in order to revamp the roster so it is more effective.  Here are those players:

Javier Baez – 5 years left at $120 million
Andrew Chafin – 1 year left at $6.5 million
Austin Meadows – 2 years left (arbitration kicks in @ app. $5 mill/year)
Eduardo Rodriguez – 4 years left $63 mill
Jonathan Schoop – 1 year left @  $7.5 million
 
Some of these players will be more valuable as trade pieces than others.  Some of them, due to either salary or performance, will be more or less tradable.

For each of them, consider what each might generate in return should they be traded. 

Additionally, there is the potential that the Tigers may have to eat a portion of their salaries in order to effect a trade.

Which one of these 5 players will bring back the best return in terms of receiving new talent if he were to be traded?

Which trade has the potential to boost the Tigers’ roster the most?

Which trade may bring back the most players or the highest level of talent?

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35 thoughts on “WATERCOOLER WEDNESDAY”

  1. I think Rodriguez would bring the return on a trade. A solid starter with a reasonable contract in his prime should bring back a potential starting 3rd Baseman and a prospect!

    Liked by 3 people

  2. Keep us informed holly. Time will answer today’s question. It’s going to be interesting watching Harris’s first winter. Can’t wait for your evaluations of his job coming after winter meetings in January.

    Liked by 4 people

  3. I think Rodriguez and Meadows have the best value to any team, including the Tigers. But their personal issues likely cloud a trade. I think expecting a decent return on the other three is wishful thinking, but perhaps Harris can work some magic.

    Liked by 5 people

  4. I believe Eduardo Rodriguez would be the easiest to trade along with netting us some talent. He is still young, a lefty, and a reasonable contract overall. Having said that, the player that would really net a roster rotation would be Baez. Lots of teams needing a SS.

    Liked by 4 people

  6. Chafin appears to be the only one whose perceived value currently matches or exceeds his contract value, but a reliever won’t bring much in return. Meadows and Rodriguez need time to reestablish their full value and might be better candidates to move at trade deadline next season. It’s difficult to see Schoop as anything more than a salary dump.

    Liked by 8 people

    • That’s what I am thinking, but at least Rodriguez has made a few starts since his absence. The Tigers were eighteenth in total payroll this season so they can pick up some paid players in return as far as that goes. Too bad he is not exactly known for his endurance.

      Liked by 3 people

  7. Baez by far has most value. He has no hitting support behind him, plays with a bunch of minor leaguers and team out of race in May so his attitude tanked. Last ten games stats are 4 hrs, 14 RBIs and .318 average with 26 SO in 88 AB. Obviously trying to look better for a trade. Also remember how well he fielded at season beginning…he can field also. Needs a change.

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    • I mostly agree with you , Ron. Just not he part of Needs a change. I think he is finally relaxing. He’s settled in. I look for him to have a much, much better year in 2023.

      Liked by 2 people

      • Robert I would also like to keep Baez as I think he may breakout if we get better players. I compare him to Correa and they are tracking in a similar manner. Both have started to hit recently. Could it be they have adjusted to the AL after spending there time in the NL in previous years? Or are they playing for a contract? If we get a good haul for Baez that would accelerate our teams success.

        Liked by 3 people

      • I did not say “bad” attitude. His attitude toward playing changed in that he could not hit or field with the same success. Whatever the reason for it he did not have the same pep in his step or flair in his fielding. Losing all the time can do that to a person.

        Liked by 3 people

  8. Rodriguez’s problems were likely a one season occurence. He could be back to normal next season and a steady presence in any rotation. He has legitimate value to any team, including the Tigers. Same for Meadows, but he’s a mid-season trade candidate after his numbers (hopefully) begin to match the back of his baseball card.

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    • If he has that kind of a season next year, then why trade him? Wouldn’t that be the player the Tigers were looking for when the got him? The player we were all happy the Tiger’s got?

      Liked by 2 people

      • I agree with you Robert. That’s why I said Rodriguez has legitimate value to any team, including the Tigers. The issue presented was which player had the most trade value, not who should we trade. I would not trade Rodriguez unless the deal was clearly lopsided in the Tigers’ favor.

        Liked by 3 people

    • JR, I don’t think we can get anything worthwhile for either Rod or Meadows. Both have issues that need to be worked out before a haul can be gotten. Both could be huge factors next year if they come around.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. I’m guessing that Ilitch is really frosted over ERod’s AWOL situation this year and that he’ll be shipped out. They’d probably like to dump Meadows too but they would get little if anything in return.

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  10. Schoop has to go because of his ineptness at the plate. Diaz probably has his best years behind him, and his arrogant attitude is not an enhancement making him tradeable, especially with his ridiculous salary. E Rod will blossom next year, Meadows will make a good comeback and Chafin is a keeper.

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  11. I voted for Chafin. As others have smartly stated ERod and Meadows need to show that their issues are fully behind them to have much value. Two good chips to have at next year’s trade deadline.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. IMO, Chafin and Meadows are the only “value” the Tigers have to trade. Schoop will be nothing but a salary dump, Baez will never play to his contract, and Rodriguez just has too many question marks to take on what could be a very reasonable contract.

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  14. In order to be able to trade a player who has a long-term contract, his value to the new team should exceed the balance which he is owed. Andrew Chafin is the only player who meets that criteria. Memo to Ron: According to Baseball-Rrference, in his last 10 games Javier Baez is 12-for-38 with 2 HRs and 5 RBIs.

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  15. Not sure why Harris would jump to trade ERod, Chafin without knowing how ready some of our kid pitchers are. Interest in Schoop can’t be high right now so no return expected. If Schoop has a decent ST, he is gold glove and probably the 2023 starter at 2B. By the July trade deadline, Harris and/or new GM will have enough info to perhaps make some moves.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. I’d hang on to Baez because he is coming off a year that has made his value take a huge hit. I seen him with the Cubs and he’s not washed up. Meadows won’t bring a utility player after this season; Chafin is probably more valuable to Detroit than what they could get in a deal. Eduardo appears to have a legitimate excuse for taking leave and he is taking his regular turn so he’s probably the most valuable in both perception and reality..

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