Tigers Need To Make a Move

The Den
1

I know the Trade Deadline is still 60+ days away. But I am seeing a good chunk of people saying “World Series or Bust”

Yes this team is good enough they COULD do it, but I am not confident enough to say that. Many of the guys are starting to come back down from their career/ 5 year highs. Some injuries are trickling in.

All that solidifies the fact they need to make MOVES before the deadline. And they have plenty of money. But will Chris spend?

I went back and looked at the final 4 teams from 2004-2024. And looked at their payroll vs the MLB average and tax cap. And there is a clear trend.

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Gold is WS champ.
Silver is WR Runner Up.
Blue is AL Runner Up.
Red is NL Runner Up.

Also included are the 4 current favorites for the WS.
LAD, NYY, PHI, DET.

In the far top right box is the super spenders. (Ie LAD this year) i never expect the Tigers to EVER get to that point.

The second box is the Mike Illitch box. He got into that box a few times, “spending like a drunken sailor” i dont expect the Tigers to get there either.

The 3rd box is the sweet spot. Most of the final 4 teams and WS winners fall into that box. Above average but below the tax limit.

Then theres the last box. The money ball teams. With no WS winners. And the current Tigers.

In my opinion, the tigers need to make some trades. And that 2nd box is the target. ~$175m

Meaning the Tigers have $30m available to them.
Aka, a good reliever, and another Bat.

No excuses this trade deadline to make those kind of moves.

Also makes me wish that MLB had a hard Salary cap of ~$180m

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They will but it wont be a big move

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I listed the 3 big needs on the kc vs tigers thread

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Not asking for a BIG move.

Reliever, and rotational bat.

Figure $15m aav each.

So $30m more on the payroll. Boom. Over average payroll. And still a whopping 70m under the tax cap.

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I think they need a big splash with a bat. Closer would great as well. My thing is let Skubal know you actually serious to win, might go along way. Yzerman dicked around, what happened to them? Pistons made a move and helped them almost win round one in the playoffs

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4 weeks ago discussion

Helsley and Ozuna.

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Closer would be huge. That’s what I was thinking. The other issue is there are so many wildcards these days… Teams are hesitant to trade anyone if they are even close at the deadline.

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So we have to pick a player from the White Sox, Rockies, or the Blue Jays.

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Closer would cost a top 3 prospect.

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Obviously 8weeks to go but Cardinals are only 3games out, not sure if they are sellers or buyers at the deadline if they stay close.

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I’m not sure that Hinch goes for the prototypical “closer” as he doesn’t use his pen in that manner.

I do think they need 2-3 RP additions via trade or minors. Manning as a RP is looking pretty good since he made the move, granted I haven’t looked at recent performances.

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Nah. Helsley might cost a 10-15. Expiring deal and costs three mil in payroll for 2 months.

No one with a good system is trading their top 3. Flaherty cost LA a 8-10 and a 15-20 with Sweeney and Liranzo and he was a top 8 AL Starter when they dealt him.

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It is looking like Braves could move Ozuna, curious what it would cost. Some injury history in his past but would be a good pickup.

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That would be an ideal bat to add to our lineup.

He is a very streaky player but when he is on…wow

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Jays got some legit options… Lots of expiring contracts. But they need to suck more to sell. Which is likely lol

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Plus returning bats…

PARKER MEADOWS CONTINUES TO DOMINATE IN HIS REHAB STINT

The Detroit Tigers continue to get healthier and soon, their official center-fielder not named Javy Baez will be ready to make his 2025 Tigers debut.

Parker Meadows has dominated AAA pitching since he began his rehab assignment for the Toledo Mud Hens last week batting .455 with the team by having 5 hits in 11 at-bats with 1 home run, 1 double, 1 triple and 4 RBI’s.

Meadows began his rehab stint in Single A where he played in 2 games and went 1-5 with an RBI, a walk and 2K’s.

Overall between Single A and AAA here’s a look at Parkers combined stats:

GAMES PLAYED: 5 (2 Single A - 3 AAA)
AVG: .375
HR: 1
RBI: 5
2B: 1
3B: 1
SB: 1
WALKS: 3
K’s: 3 (two of them in Single A games)
OPS: 1.224

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Don’t remember if I posted this in another thread or not, from the below sounds like he’s back sometime next week.

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It doesn’t look like center fielder Parker Meadows will be joining the Tigers in Kansas City this weekend. But his return is looking more imminent every day.

“It’s exciting to see what he’s doing,” Hinch said. “I think building volume is the next step for him. He’s played up to seven innings in the outfield. He’s going to play the weekend (with Triple-A Toledo) and hopefully get close to a full game.

“When that happens, it becomes a readiness issue.”

Meadows, who’s been out since early in spring with a nerve issue in his right arm, was the designated hitter for the Mud Hens on Wednesday morning.

He went into that game with five hits in 11 at-bats, with a double, triple and home run.

“He’s made all the throws and he’s responded well to playing back-to-back days,” Hinch said. “His spring training legs are starting to get back under him again. He’s getting close. He needs a few more things to happen to work his way back here.

“But we’re all kind of peeking over the fence watching and seeing how he’s doing.”

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I just hope we make a move that will help move Sweeney to the bench, or out the door.

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19

How is Bichette’s defense?

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I think Dylan Smith is the one pen guy to watch from the Tiger’s minor league rosters

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