I don't know how credible the source was but I read a report a few weeks ago that the Tigers had asked for Sproat, Tong, Williams, AND Benge and the Mets fortunately declined.
Thanks for that information because it's been mysterious to me why I never hear reports of (extension) negotiation windows before consummation of trades for rentals.
We'll be in on him. Lousy timing for him, too. There's almost certainly going to be a lockout after this season, and it could be a long one. It makes all the sense in the world for him to push for a trade-and-sign deal. A bird in the hand and all that.
He can't be too happy about Detroit lowballing him and then signing Framber Valdez to a higher AAV, either. I'm not sure what the heck the Tigers were thinking on that one. Sure, it's business. But these guys have pride.
Regarding Skubal maybe wanting to sign early, from everything I’ve read, the lockout won’t happen till December, plenty of time for a FA to lock up money with a new team plus a big signing bonus that he’s guaranteed even if there’s a lockout.
You don't like the simple explanation that they decided to go all-in in 2026? Regarding the Valdez/Skubal comp, the one guy has reached free agency and the other hasn't been around quite long enough to reach it, so the first benefits and the other has to wait. Don't see why this should be held against Tigers management.
Two things on that: first, it was clear Skubal was going to ask for north of $30 million (and get it), which means it would have been no skin off Detroit's nose to offer $28 million and make it look good. They were going to lose the arbitration no matter what.
So why come with $19 million? That strikes me as borderline antagonistic.
Second, they could have waited until after the arbitration ruling to announce the Valdez contract. Also to make it look good: "Hey, the market is set, we're bringing in another arm and we're ready to talk at the top end." (Valdez is getting more than any lefty in history.)
If their goal was to sign Skubal long-term, in my opinion they misplayed this one. Badly.
Of course, if they're looking to deal him for badly needed bats and some more (badly needed) pitching, it looks a little different:
"Might as well take a shot at the lowball number since we're moving Skubal anyway. We'll lock Framber in for three years at market and then see what reinforcements we can get in the haul. Maybe we'll sign Gallen at a discount while we're at it."
I don't know why they'd want to go that way, though. The big boys are likely to just wait and keep their prospects and front-line players and just write a monster check when the dust clears. Everyone else couldn't meet their price in a trade anyway.
Disagree. I don't see or feel a compelling need to participate in the Olympics. Especially since we already have a seemingly uncontrollable avalanche of pitchers' injuries. The highest stage, as the favored phrase goes, is right in front of our noses, Major League Baseball in the United States.
We should be able to handle playing in the Olympics in 2028. Pro soccer takes "international breaks" for tournaments all the time. So, it's possible to schedule these things.
Baseball is unique, so we can't do it just like soccer does it, but we can manage something similar.
Come to think of it, here's an idea: what if rather than playing the All-Star Game, once every four years we just name guys to the All-Stars but play the World Baseball Classic over the summer instead?
It would make for some unique scheduling in WBC years, but I bet it could be done.
Why not go after Skubal if there is a chance to bring him here. Detroit might have difficulty paying 2 30 million dollars+ pitchers
I don't know how credible the source was but I read a report a few weeks ago that the Tigers had asked for Sproat, Tong, Williams, AND Benge and the Mets fortunately declined.
Also read that the Dodgers had a deal but wanted to negotiate a window like they did with Glasnow and Boras pulled a muscle laughing - hence no trade.
Thanks for that information because it's been mysterious to me why I never hear reports of (extension) negotiation windows before consummation of trades for rentals.
We'll be in on him. Lousy timing for him, too. There's almost certainly going to be a lockout after this season, and it could be a long one. It makes all the sense in the world for him to push for a trade-and-sign deal. A bird in the hand and all that.
He can't be too happy about Detroit lowballing him and then signing Framber Valdez to a higher AAV, either. I'm not sure what the heck the Tigers were thinking on that one. Sure, it's business. But these guys have pride.
Regarding Skubal maybe wanting to sign early, from everything I’ve read, the lockout won’t happen till December, plenty of time for a FA to lock up money with a new team plus a big signing bonus that he’s guaranteed even if there’s a lockout.
You can bet Boras is working on that.
You don't like the simple explanation that they decided to go all-in in 2026? Regarding the Valdez/Skubal comp, the one guy has reached free agency and the other hasn't been around quite long enough to reach it, so the first benefits and the other has to wait. Don't see why this should be held against Tigers management.
Two things on that: first, it was clear Skubal was going to ask for north of $30 million (and get it), which means it would have been no skin off Detroit's nose to offer $28 million and make it look good. They were going to lose the arbitration no matter what.
So why come with $19 million? That strikes me as borderline antagonistic.
Second, they could have waited until after the arbitration ruling to announce the Valdez contract. Also to make it look good: "Hey, the market is set, we're bringing in another arm and we're ready to talk at the top end." (Valdez is getting more than any lefty in history.)
If their goal was to sign Skubal long-term, in my opinion they misplayed this one. Badly.
Of course, if they're looking to deal him for badly needed bats and some more (badly needed) pitching, it looks a little different:
"Might as well take a shot at the lowball number since we're moving Skubal anyway. We'll lock Framber in for three years at market and then see what reinforcements we can get in the haul. Maybe we'll sign Gallen at a discount while we're at it."
I don't know why they'd want to go that way, though. The big boys are likely to just wait and keep their prospects and front-line players and just write a monster check when the dust clears. Everyone else couldn't meet their price in a trade anyway.
Tiger ownership is worth 6 billion dollars. I think they’ll be ok lol
Diaz had a freak injury. That sort of thing can happen off the playing field too.
Disagree. I don't see or feel a compelling need to participate in the Olympics. Especially since we already have a seemingly uncontrollable avalanche of pitchers' injuries. The highest stage, as the favored phrase goes, is right in front of our noses, Major League Baseball in the United States.
We should be able to handle playing in the Olympics in 2028. Pro soccer takes "international breaks" for tournaments all the time. So, it's possible to schedule these things.
Baseball is unique, so we can't do it just like soccer does it, but we can manage something similar.
Come to think of it, here's an idea: what if rather than playing the All-Star Game, once every four years we just name guys to the All-Stars but play the World Baseball Classic over the summer instead?
It would make for some unique scheduling in WBC years, but I bet it could be done.