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 has told us to expect significant changes over the next couple of months.  Part of those changes will involve the roster.

The Tigers have a ton of needs.  More starting pitching, a #1 catcher, third baseman and at least 1 new corner outfielder.  Potentially, they may also have to fill 1B and 2B.

Essentially, the roster requires not just a tweaking but an actual overhaul. 

Where the problems lie is threefold.  There is a farm system that has little depth and few ready solutions.  And there are really no viable trade pieces that will bring back the necessary solutions.

To fill the needs will require serious money and it’s unlikely Harris will have carte blanche when it comes to spending.

However, the Tigers need to greatly improve their performance in 2023.

How shall they accomplish this goal?

Should they focus on signing 1-2 higher end free agents or should they try to upgrade every position with better players who are less expensive?

What do you think?

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28 thoughts on “WATERCOOLER WEDNESDAY”

  1. I liked his quote to the effect that he will be shopping down all aisles for players who can improve this team. He is willing to trade prospects and I bet he will 2-3 free agents to make offensive improvements across the team. If so, I cheer him on.

    Liked by 4 people

  3. Scott Harris’ SF Giants had great success assembling a group of less expensive players. Perhaps he will try this again. It seems to me it would be easier to uncover value among a larger group of less expensive players than in just one or two expensive players.

    Liked by 8 people

    • Well said. At least we will not be treated again to Al’s paint by numbers method: “I am going to do A,BC, I’m done.” Harris seems intent on comprehensibly and continually looking for upgrades by all avenues.

      Liked by 2 people

    • Improving every position without buying 1 or 2 superstars will likely build a more cohesive team. One that will be more willing to play as a team.

      Liked by 2 people

  5. Im going contrarian here. The Tigers desperately need a couple star level players to put a face on the “new Tigers”. I would love to see a couple proven sluggers in the middle of our lineup. I have seen a meddling, Ray Oylerish lineup for too long. I know getting 4 or 5 marginal upgrades seems ok, but we need to turn the page and become more of a lineup that pots fear on the opposing pitchers.

    Liked by 1 person

    • The superstar you are referring to will most likely be an aging veteran who wants to get his money but not care about “the team”. I mean, what superstar wants to play alongside the likes of our AAAA players? Even Pudge saw the potential of coming to Detroit. Detroit doesn’t have that kind of team anymore.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Improve every position. With the state of the current roster, targeting modest improvements shouldn’t be too difficult for a guy with Harris’ abilities. The other (super-star) approach often results in crippling long-term contracts and/or poor team chemistry.

    Liked by 7 people

  8. I’m with you, but perhaps Harris can find slugging value without putting all his eggs in one basket as they did with Baez last year. I wonder if Mitch Haninger or Miguel Sano could be had on manageable contracts.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. I can’t imagine last years’ regression of every player won’t be reversed to some extent this year. I honestly don’t what the coaching staff was preaching last year, but I expect bounce back years from at least some guys like Baez, Candelario, Schoop, etc. They still need to add at least 1-2 big bats wherever they can get them and keep the pitchers healthy to be competitive.

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  11. “…upgrade every position with better players who are less expensive.” This statement is one that every competitive sports team should want to do, but it also is a statement that is not in the realm of possibility, according to common sense, logic and even history.

    Liked by 2 people

  12. Take the entire roster approach. Use the new coaches to help Greene, Tork, Schopp, Baez, Baddoo, Meadows, Manning etc improve. Have new scouts re-evaluate Carpenter, Kreidler, Hill, Rogers, Daz, P Meadows… Sign a couple of mid free agents to 1-2 year deals to fill serious roster holes, and trade some prospects for more MLB ready players with possible future star potential. Any detail he can fix to make the entire roster better, should be the mindset.

    Liked by 2 people

    • This sort of sounds like let’s take a mulligan on ’22 and try again with the same cast of losers. BTW, the Braves, Phillies, Astros, Yankees, Padres were all in the top ten of opening day pay roll last year, so I agree with supplementing the makeover with 1-2 impact free agents.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic wouldn’t have prevented the inevitable and won’t prevent disaster if that’s your plan to right this ship either.

      Like

  13. Haven’t we already done the “sign the big name and we’re good” game? How did that work out? Look for less expensive position players while continuing to develop the younger, newer players in the pipeline.

    Liked by 5 people

  14. Not wanting play the bad guy, but the Tigers have a terrible history of trading (read, ‘giving away’) players and getting next to nothing in return. No need to go through the list, some have won Cy Young’s, some have won World Series, some even have video clips that are derogatory towards the team. Just hope Mr Harris has better luck.

    Liked by 1 person

    • I feel better about Harris because while “luck” may have something to do with winning a specific WS, being in the hunt year after year is more about competence. (Ok, being big market and big budgets doesn’t hurt.) I think Harris has the background and (more important) personal skills to get it done.

      Liked by 2 people

  15. I have always appreciated the Oakland A’s Billy Beane Moneyball strategy. Get undervalued players, a lot of them, and build a good team. Let’s stay away from huge contracts.

    Liked by 1 person

    • It would seem to me that the Oakland philosophy somewhat goes against Scott Harris’s philosophy for how he wants to attract, develop, and retain young talent. It’s also tough to build and keep a fan base if you continually trade away your young players just as they reach their most productive prime years.

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  16. The A’s are having some problems with a dwindling fan base. It’s one of the worst declining in MLB. They’ve been blaming it on the stadium and giants success.

    Liked by 1 person

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