THE 2024 WISH LIST

/ totallytigersblog

by Holly Horning

The Detroit Tigers are getting close to having played one-third of a season.  It’s time once again to look at what they’ve done so far, what the Front Office has addressed as part of their goals for the year and re-adjust our expectations about the 2024 season.

We know this will not be a competitive year.  It is too soon given the new Front Office and change in direction and strategy.

However, we do need to see certain benchmarks being reached that will reassure us about the future.

In some cases, it’s still too early to see progression.  But in others, this is going to be the make-it-or-break-it year for seeing goals and players moving forward.

So what will make me happy to see by the end of the 2024 season?  I’ve got my top 10 list…

By the end of the 2024 season, I need to see…..

1. … the Tigers finish pretty darn close to .500.  A bonus if it’s over but I’m not holding my breath.

2. … a marked improvement in offense both in runs put up and also in comparison to the other 29 teams.

3. … Kenta Maeda redeeming himself on the mound.  Historically, he starts off very slowly but he simply can’t pitch as he is currently doing for the entire year – and 2025, too.

4. … the evolution of the starting rotation.  We need 3 solid pitchers going forward and currently have only 2 going into next year.

5. … Casey Mize pitching closer to the expectations associated with a #1 draft pick.  He has been a big disappointment in his 3 (not including 2022) seasons here.

6. … Spencer Torkelson showing that 2023 was not an aberration.  And while we’re at it, we can no longer accept an offensive slump that lasts until August.

7. … Scott Harris pulling off a trade that brings a noticeable bump in MLB-ready talent to the roster.

8. … the gradual pull back on Javy Baez’s playing time.  Promoting Jace Jung and moving Gio Urshela to SS combined with the return of Ryan Kreidler from the IL may just be the answer.

9. … Parker Meadows overcoming his offensive struggles and returning to the lineup.  Otherwise, it’s going to hard to duplicate his defensive skills and elite speed in CF.

10. … Riley Greene staying healthy for the first time in 3 years.  The Tigers need a full year of performance from their top player.

Is there something that you need to see this year from the Tigers?  Just 1 thing, please – and let’s keep our expectations realistic.

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21 thoughts on “THE 2024 WISH LIST”

  2. We may have had a harsh reality check in the horrendous series just completed in Kansas City. Maybe the SP is not as good as we thought. In comparison, the Royals seem much more advanced in achieving competitiveness than the Tigers.

    Liked by 3 people

    • The Royals have Bobby Witt Jr. at SS and we have Javy Baez at SS. Enough said. Otherwise, the Royals are on hot streak, so you can’t judge much from this series.

      Liked by 7 people

      • At 32-19, the Royals are more than on a hot streak. With that record, I think we should now be admitting the Royals are a solid team. The Tigers need a wake-up call by the trade deadline and make some roster moves.

        Liked by 3 people

  3. Reese Olson finishing the year more than 170 innings pitched, with an ERA of below 2.50, and with a WHIP of below 1.05. If he does all that, I am not concerned about how many wins he gets.

    Liked by 4 people

  4. Trade some of our pitching for guys who can hit. Buy some free agents this summer who can hit with power. Draft some dudes who can hit and steal bases.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. To complete an offseason rebuild like Cleveland and KC did. Better yet if they started rebuilding now the season may be saved with the hopes the other teams cool off. Maybe calling some players up from Toledo without sending Ibanez or Perez down would be a good start.

    Liked by 4 people

    • I’d like to see them call up Jace Jung to determine if he can handle 3B in ’24. Keeping Keith on the farm all last season did not prepare him to hit for the big league team so don’t let Jung waste time in Toledo. My wish is for Jung to be the answer at the 3B revolving door.

      Liked by 12 people

  7. I have to admit that my patience is beginning to wane. I am going to be a little greedy in my 1 thing. The one thing I need to see is Holly’s whole list come true.

    Liked by 6 people

    • Me too as I thought we might contend for a division title. But 9.5 games behind in the Central makes it hard to appreciate all the progress some of my fellow posters see. But if even half of Holly’s wishes come true that would change the complexion of things.

      Liked by 3 people

  8. The one thing I would like to see is Wenceel Pèrez becoming a fixture in the number three hole. He has displayed all the components needed for that spot and being a switch hitter makes him even more versatile. He’s often become a game changer in that particular spot in the lineup because he can make things happen.

    Liked by 6 people

    • I had the same problem dace (but I left Comcast, went with just internet and added the Bally Sports App ($20 per month).

      Like

  10. My one thing to see them trade Reese Olson for Zach Neto or Bo Bichette. LAA and Toronto can use the pitching. The Tigers can use the SS.

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    • Sorry, but I disagree Robert. We only have 2 proven pitchers, and Olson is one of them. Also, like it or not, Javy is here for quite awhile and I would be really surprised to see Chris I eating his contract.

      Liked by 4 people

      • I just think the Tigers need to trade quality to get anything long term in return. Neto is 23 and Bichette is 26, so both will be around a long time. Olson is having a career year and the likelihood of his continuing that performance is less than that of the two SS’s.

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  11. Since for all practical purposes this season is going nowhere. Would like to see them bring up some hitters from Toledo or maybe even Erie, they can’t be any worse than the current line up. The front office’s mentality of “wait until they’re ready” needs to be changed.

    Liked by 2 people

  12. I’m not conceding this as a non-competitive season yet. We have had a disastrous May to be sure, but those teams in front of us aren’t great. Continued good health and (this is asking a lot I know) a return to form of Riley and Canha will get us back to April levels and an impact bat (Tork?) in the middle of the order is essential.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Hmmm… the AL Central is now the best division in baseball. Cleveland and Kansas City are very good, and Minnesota is competitive.  No other division has two teams with 32+ wins.

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