Addressing the media yesterday, Tigers owner Christopher Ilitch struck a notably optimistic tone regarding his organization’s outlook. Evan Woodbery of MLive.com was among those to cover the chat; we’ll tick through a few items of particular note here.
Needless to say, with a 59-86 record, the current roster is not up to snuff. But that doesn’t mean the current campaign hasn’t been productive in the estimation of the man who sits top the organizational hierarchy.
As Ilitch put it, “I think this year has been a tremendous year of progress for the Detroit Tigers.” He credited the major-league club and its staff for producing “a fun team to watch,” even if it isn’t one that has won many games.
Of course, that substandard record was widely anticipated entering the year. GM Al Avila has been tasked with building for the future, rather than prioritizing the present. The Opening Day payroll was down by about $75MM against its 2016-17 levels and stands to fall yet further in the seasons to come.
The “tremendous” season cited by Ilitch, then, has less to do with the MLB showing than his take on the broader organizational overhaul efforts undertaken in this new era for the franchise. He explained:
“I see how hard Al Avila and his staff worked to enhance our scouting, our analytics, our player development. Our goal is very clear: We are working to build a world-class organization that will compete for championships on a sustainable basis. And I’m very committed to providing all of the resources and assets that are necessary to accomplish that.”
There’s little question that the Tigers have accumulated some intriguing young assets. The club’s farm is considered especially deep in pitching, led by recent first overall draft pick Casey Mize and including several other players added in recent drafts and trades.
Just when and how the club will begin to turn the corner again toward contention remains to be seen, but continued progress from those young arms could perhaps force the matter in relatively short order. Of course, health and development remain risk factors. And gathering up a new position-player core will also represent a challenge.
Eventually, we’ll find out whether Ilitch will spend to supplement the roster as lavishly as his father did, but it seems rather unlikely that the openness of his wallet will be tested full this coming offseason. Still, the club could consider some targeted free-agent spending, particularly if there’s good value to be had on a risky or more youthful player. And extensions could always be explored, though Nicholas Castellanos is the only realistic candidate who’ll be entering his walk year.
Tigers win the 2025 Pennant you heard it here first
And nowhere else
I just hope Faedo, Burrows, Mize, Funkhouser, Perez and the other young guns stay healthy. We could have a Cleveland-quality rotation in 2020-2021, and beyond, if they keep healthy and progressing.
This rebuild is about 3 years too late for the Tigers. They should have seen the writing on the wall that the division was shifting to Cleveland and tbsjr old roster couldn’t compete any longer. I get that the owner wanted a title before he passed but it was at the sacrifice of the next 5-7 years of the franchise.
This rebuild kind of started in 2015. Although they took 2016 off from major deadline deals, the fire sale continued in 2017.
Even if they didn’t have a decent core of kids (which they do) they draft well couple of years, then spend wisely on IFA kids and any team can become contenders quick. problem used to be some teams never scouted, or spent resources much on either.
This new CBA is going to weed out the teams which pocket money I think and foolishly cheap out on 1 or the other. Everyone knew Baltimore did not spend on IFA. I’ve posted here and other places how have seen the Sarasota GCL team as recent as 2017 looked like a bunch of 250lb overweight stacked types who IMO signed for next to nothing and looked like swung for the fences every AB saw in the 2 games.
Gardenhire was a great HIRE. With the talent (or lack thereof) Miggy being out for the year, #1 overall pick Casey Mize last draft, I’d be thrilled too. I like their direction.
Tiger fans who disapprove of Al Avila’s methods are ungrateful. The worst place to be, is stuck in the middle, which is where you’d be had Al not done, what he did.
I’m saying I’m amazed they got to where they did, with Miggy out for the year, not thrilled Miggy’s out Lol.
59-86 is even more impressive to me, without Miggy.
59-86 is impressive to you? Who spiked your coffee this morning?
I will say Victor Reyes is an intriguing prospect to me though
I thought they would meet or exceed the mediocrity of the Orioles’ 41-103 record.
Det did the right thing with Reyes — a rule 5 pick — by not playing him the first half when he would have been over matched. Now that he has been around the show for a while they can start him. Next year he has options to use.
Totes agree
I think they should extend Castellanos. That kind of production is hard to find without trading a big chunk of the farm. And he’s still young enough to be in his prime by 2021-2023
Problem is, he’s below average defensively. So, why pay a premium price for a one dimensional player during a rebuild? He’s matured just a little too early. Get some prospects and move on. Best of luck to him.
If you have watched the Tiger’s this year, Nick has improved considerably, defensively. He’s never going to win a GG, but teams are learning you shouldn’t run on him. Due to his defense, his price won’t skyrocket. Detroit is not NY. They need to sell tickets. He will provide more value as a draw than he will in prospects as a “one dimensional”, rental player. If he demands too much, let him walk and let him find out what his market really is (with a QO attached), then sign him for a reasonable price.
Well, the Tigers aren’t going to let him play out next season with free agency forthcoming and risk not getting anything in return. If they don’t put together a deal by like July 1, he’ll absolutely be dealt.
Like Scherzer. Too bad his last year the Tigers were in the race. They could have gotten a Price like package.
Nick doesn’t sell tickets. He’s above average on the field, super average off it.
Sorry above average *at the plate. Way below average in the field LOL
Don’t understand why they don’t play him at first base.
Extend, build around him for a few seasons then trade him for something more useful.
Can’t see how anyone could object to what the Tigers are doing. Building with pitching is far from the only way to rebuild, but it’s the best way. And they have the money to start constructively signing Free Agents when the time comes (2020 maybe?).
Not a real big Tiger fan, just by geography, but Avilla and Company seem like pretty bright guys. And yes, Gardy was PERFECT for this team right now.
‘Building with pitching is far from the only way to rebuild, but it’s the best way’
… The last two world series champions disagree (Although the Astros did give it a shot by drafting Aiken first overall in 2014)
Looking past the Miggy contract, the Tigers’ payroll outlook beyond 2020 is very good. If they can get some prospects to develop into good major leaguers, I see that as their timeline to bring in some experienced players and try to compete like the Phillies did (/tried to do) this year. Untill then, good luck
I would express optimism in their pizza.
Bite bite. Sip sip. Do the combo mambo.
Pizza, Pizza
LC is the worst