Detroit Tigers

[*JD*]

Bregman stuff:

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2024/12/29/detroit-tigers-miss-alex-bregman-anthony-santander-interest/77300049007/

[Whitley]

Tigers sign Jack Flaherty 35 million/2 year deal. 25 million for the 2025 season with an opt out after the season. 2026 season is 10 million with another 10 million if he makes 15 starts in 2025.

A great signing. Flaherty is going to slot into the 2SP behind Skubal.


Also the signing does NOT put them out of th Bregman sweepstakes.

[-Deborah-]

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[*JD*]

I'm happy that Max Clark is getting some Grapefruit League action. I don't think he was on the original Spring Training roster but he's been in a few games over the last week. I don't see the other stats but he's hitting .250 so far.

[Whitley]

I'm happy that Max Clark is getting some Grapefruit League action. I don't think he was on the original Spring Training roster but he's been in a few games over the last week. I don't see the other stats but he's hitting .250 so far.

I am so looking forward to seeing Clark and McGonigle opening night at West Michigan

[Whitley]

Man I hope they find a way to keep Tork and J Hen on the 26 man

[Tom]

Is it true Baez is doing alright?

[Whitley]

Is it true Baez is doing alright?

He played today. A ball at him up on an in between hop (error) and in the game he ran out of the basepath and Carson Williams (Rays SS of the very near future) throw the ball and it bounced off his batting helmet. This was just after Glyber Torres didn't slide into second base and he overran it and was touched out. It was also very weird because there was no reason NOT to slide there.

They had Greene in CF today with Malloy starting in LF Jahami Jones in RF. Jones is an NRI that is pushing to make a real case of breaking north (I don't think he quite gets there)

If I was guessing right off the top of my head I think the roster probably breaks down like this (as of right now)


Rotation
Skubal
Flaherty
R Olson
Jobe
Mize

Bullpen
RHs: Foley, Brieske, Vest, Kahnle
LHs: Holton, Hurter, Chafin


The lineup is harder to do. For this exercise going to assume Vierling (rotator cuff strain ) and Meadows (nerve) are on the IL.

C Rogers, Dingler
OF Greene, Carpenter
IF Jung, Ibanez, Baez, Keith, Torres

That's9 players right there. They are not going to release Baez and eat the 73 million or so. He is also highly thought of by the Tiger in the clubhouse. The question is what do you do with him. He clearly is not the answer at SS every day anymore. Sweeney I am not sold on and there is a case that he could develop more in AAA. The best use might be to keep Baez as a reserve that can backup 2/3/ss and start Sweeney most days at SS. This would mean exposing McKinstry (who is out of options) to waivers. Would he get picked up? He could he can play just about everywhere (though not great defensively) is a lefty hitter with decent pop and speed in his bat. But he is very much stretched at SS. Wencel Perez (unless his back continues to bother him) is likely to be the CF. With Sweeney that brings it up 11 players.

The other thing the Tigers sorely lack is some RH pop. Torkelson and JHM could provide that. JHM had an 838 OPS after a miserable start when he was striking out in nearly half of his PAs. Excellent eye and the Tigers are looking for ways to get him in there. Torkelson has 4 homers in the spring and is hitting his way onto the time right now. He needs to keep doing it though.

Right now I think the bench looks like this: Dingler, Ibanez, JHM, Torkelson, Baez