DEEPER DISCUSSIONS

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The Detroit Tigers are going through more struggles and have now lost 8 straight.  There are variety of factors that have put them in this downward spiral.

The team has lost some significant positional players like Riley Greene, Kerry Carpenter (until 2 days ago) and Matt Vierling.  Pitchers like Eduardo Rodriguez.

As they have lost these players, it’s been harder for the organization to fill the holes either from within the roster or from Toledo.  They continue to suffer from a lack of depth.

And offense is even harder to find.  They have only scored a total of 14 runs in their last 8 games.

All three of these factor into the Tigers losing streak.  But which one has created the most damage for the team?

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 other readers as well.

TT will supply the ammunition. One thought-provoking question. Several options provided. One hard choice to be selected. One vote.

Ready?

FINAL RESULTS FROM A MAY TOTALLY TIGERS POLL:

Which department should receive more focus, money and resources?

  • Player Development  76% 
  • Scouting/Drafting  24% 

Comments are limited to a maximum of 6 sentences. Please make sure to check out the other rules for posting under the link at the top of the page in order for your comments to be published.

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17 thoughts on “DEEPER DISCUSSIONS”

  1. I believe at times like this the psychological impact kicks in for the players. They jell with certain players and it’s reflected in their confidence as a team and when these certain players are lost for an extended period it negatively affects the team. The losses start to mount.

    Liked by 6 people

  2. The Tigers had the league’s worst offense last year, cut a bunch of players but then only replaced them with part time or fringe players. So far we see more walks, but the hitting remains dismal. Besides Miggy vets like Hass and Schoop have struggled. Newbies like Maton and Vierling have not really taken the next step. I am guessing the front office is frustrated with the lack of hitting development. Of course the lack of depth has also been completely exposed.

    Liked by 7 people

  3. It’s definitely the offense especially the AB’s that continually fail with runners in scoring position. It’s encouraging that runners are there pleading for a clutch hit. Add to that their utter ineptness to put up quality AB’s against right-handers and the offense continues to fail. Their ineptness forces their pitchers to try to be perfect which is the perfect scenario to give up a bomb which is often a game changer. And in the midst of this downward spiral their competition leads the NL West. Their margin of error is so slim and causes everyone to try and hit a five run homer.

    Liked by 7 people

  4. How has this team won 26 games? Last in team batting, 21st in pitching and 23rd in fielding. Only 1 legitimate hitter & SP-both injured. Even Baez who 2 years ago hit 31 homers and was an exciting though inconsistent player seems totally lost. Add to that a farm system ranked by most in the 20’s. Remember when Lou Piniella quipped about the Cubs that any team can have a bad century.

    Liked by 7 people

  5. Unsurprisingly its the lack of offense. I was critical and disappointed that Harris signed no major league proven hitters in the off season. He dumpster dived the waiver wire and signed/acquired AAA level talent. I half jokingly said we have a lineup full of Ray Oylers and AAA talent. The current results speak for themselves. Im fed up.

    Liked by 9 people

  6. I suppose offense is the main issue. Too many utility type players. A few guys can get on base, but they don’t have any clutch hitters to get them home. They have lots of garbage time all-stars.

    Liked by 6 people

  7. Poor offense and lack of depth are a part of the same problem…the inability to choose well in the draft. That’s on Al Avila and his country club buddies. As one watches Scott Harris clean house among the scouting and coaching staffs notice the guys being fired mostly have one thing in common…they come out of the Pittsburgh and Miami MLB systems. Friends of Jim Leyland. Jim and Al appear to have been very close. Harris is clearing the deadwood and this is going to take some time to see the results from the new guys, likely three to five years, so get used to it for awhile.

    Liked by 9 people

      • Hi, Steve – Since his appearance in spring training (wearing a visitor’s lanyard), Leyland has not been seen. He remains a special assistant like the other 5 but it would appear that he is more of a figurehead now. Teams have learned not to get rid of special assistants (see Marlins, Miami) with most of them trotted out for special occasions. Al Avila leaned unusually heavily (as it was reported) upon his Front Office and Leyland who told him who to sign like Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer who coincidentally both played for the Pirates. But no sign of him in the GM box anymore taking notes. – Holly

        Liked by 1 person

  8. When winning, the Tigers are selective at the plate. During this losing streak, they are no longer driving up the opposing pitchers’ pitch counts. I think they feel pressured to make up for the missing bats of Green, Carpenter, Vierling, and others. They are also getting away from situational hitting and are swinging every at bat for the wall. They need to get back to their more disciplined at bats for things to improve.

    Liked by 1 person

    • When they were competing, Mckinstry, Greene, Baez and Torkelson were really making things happen at the top of the order. Greene gets injured and the other three can’t seem to create runs. So disappointing. Like Fred said, they must be pressing without Riley. Even when they were winning some games, the bottom of the order looked pretty scary.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Of future importance / concern is that because of all these factors (and a certain highly-paid free agent infielder and a current former number one overall pick are totally incapable of sparking an offense,) the Tigers, will once again, be forced to greatly overpay in the free agent market for Matt Chapman or a player similar this offseason.

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  10. I voted lack of depth but all 3 are intertwined. You have all 3 bad and you get the Tiger organization. Until there are major changes in personnel 70 wins is a dream. 2 years ago the D’Backs lost 110 games. Does anyone see that turnaround in the Tigers?

    Liked by 2 people

  11. If you are in to sabermetrics there is a measurement called ISO, which basically calculates a hitters extra base power. Average is .140, .200 is considered slugger, with .300 reserved for the Judges, Alonso’s and Ohtani’s. The highest Tigers with enough at bats to qualify are Maton & Greene at .147-average. A few players who rank well ahead of any Tiger include J.D. Martinez, Paredes, Candelario, Adames & Castellanos. Even Robbie Grossman ranks higher than any Tiger other than Greene & Maton.

    Liked by 3 people

    • All these stats are good to a point, but none of those opposing players would have the same offensive slugging numbers if they were playing in Comerica Park. One has to take into account where the player resides.

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      • I would argue that the only player of that group benefiting from their new park is Adames. J.D. has never had a problem hitting for power anywhere. Tropicana Field is actually a slightly harder place for HR’s than Comerica. Grossman hit 23 homers in ’21, and Nick has always been a big doubles hitter and even led the AL in triples one year. Candelario led the league in doubles in ’21. Comerica is a much friendlier hitters park than people realize-if the player can hit.

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