The Tigers announced that they’ve selected the contracts of right-handers Matt Manning, Alex Faedo, Alex Lange and left-hander Joey Wentz in advance of tonight’s deadline to protect players from the 2020 Rule 5 Draft.
All four players were top 40 picks in their respective draft classes — Manning and Wentz in 2016, Faedo and Lange in 2017. Manning went ninth overall to the Tigers back in ’16 and stands out not only as one of the organization’s best prospects but one of the best prospects in all of baseball. He checks in at No. 15 on Baseball America’s Top 100 list, No. 18 at FanGraphs and No. 20 at MLB.com.
There was some thought that the 22-year-old Manning might even make his Major League debut for the Tigers in 2020, although that didn’t come to pass. He spent the 2019 season with Detroit’s Double-A affiliate in Erie, where he pitched to a 2.56 ERA with 10.0 K/9 against 2.6 BB/9 through 133 2/3 frames and is viewed as a potential top-of-the-rotation piece alongside fellow top prospect Casey Mize.
Both the 25-year-old Faedo and the 23-year-old Wentz factor prominently into the organization’s prospect rankings, though neither is thought to have the same ceiling as that of Manning, Mize or southpaw Tarik Skubal. Still, both are viewed as near-MLB prospects who could fill spots in the middle or back of a rotation. Wentz, acquired from the Braves in the trade that sent Shane Greene from Detroit to Atlanta, will be further off by virtue of the fact that he is on the mend from 2020 Tommy John surgery.
The Tigers picked up Lange, 25, in the trade that sent Nick Castellanos to the Cubs back in 2019. He’s a bit further off than Faedo despite being the same age, as he has just 54 2/3 frames at the Double-A level under his belt and has shown some control issues while pitching there. Still, it’s conceivable that any of Manning, Faedo or Lange could make their big league debuts next season, depending on their progress in the upper minors and on the state of the Detroit rotation. This quartet, paired with the aforementioned Mize, Skubal and righty Franklin Perez, represents but a portion of the deep reservoir of talented young arms the Tigers have stockpiled to this point in their rebuilding efforts.
It’s time to cut ties with greiner and hill.
Agree. Just call up Dingler. Who cares.
There is a reason you are here and not a MLB GM. Dingler was just drafted and has not played an inning of pro ball. It would be foolish to just throw him to the wolves and start him in the majors.
It’s hilarous that people just throw out the dumbest ideas and think they are good if one person agrees with them. Trout had to spend some time in the minors and he’s one of the best ever so lets not rush Dingler becasue our C situation sucks. There are plenty of 4A C that can catch fine. The biggest problem with C in this league is their lack of hitting. Many can do the D part with no problems. I am not worried about who will C in 2021.
Admittedly, I am not high on either player, but why cut them now? They are not blocking anyone, and every organization needs depth. Dingler doesn’t need to be rushed.
I would take another Victor Reyes R5 flyer type; one whose blocked on other team’s roster, over these two. Maybe add Funkhouser to the cut list.
You say that now, but you will be crying when someone snatches Nolan Blackwood or Jason Foley from the rule 5 list.
Send Greiner to Baltimore. If given the chance the kid can play
I would gladly take Severino or Cisco over Greiner.
I agree with Geiner but not Derek Hill. He really hasn’t been given much of a chance.
Nahh let Stewart go not hill
I would play Hill over Stewart in a heartbeat. He can fly on D and he can hit the gaps when he’s hot. He’s worked his tail off to get to the MLB so give him a shot!
I agree and Stewart is absolutely terrible, a “bat first” guy who can’t hit
I’m wondering if Faedo is related to a Lenny Faedo who played infield a bit for the Twins in the 80s. It’s an uncommon last name which is why it stuck out for me.
mlb.com says they are cousins which is a bit interesting given the age gap
Thank you, I had checked Baseball Reference but they usually don’t list player relations until both have made the majors. Yeah, I wouldn’t have figured cousins either but there you are .
However cousins can mean anything with these sites.
Good catch…I remember that name!
There is no mention of their relation on BRef.
Yes,
Alexs’ father and Lenny are cousins.
Ooooh. Getting the roster set for that “All Star” Coaching staff. Lol
You’ve mentioned me that more than once now.. Boy, that one really got you. Lol
Yes sir
Avila had to get his moves in early so he could take his afternoon nap.
GOT EEM
Faedo is overshadowed by the rest of their SP, but i think he could be the best of the bunch.
by what metric would you make that prediction?
So to be real with you guys,Grayson Greiner being traded would be a big deal because the only other catchers are Jake Rogers and Eric Haase.Therefore the Tigers would not have any depth at catcher,
They need a competent catcher whose a good leader. They need James McCann back. Otherwise (if possible), take a risky trade option like on SDP’s Mejia. They gave Grayson a shot..need to move on from the AAAAs
Cubs are trying to save money. Tigers have plenty of salary space. Heyward and Contreras to the Tigers. Contreras would be an excellent catcher until Dingler or Rogers can make the majors. Heyward would play RF until Greene is ready. Cubs have a replacement in Caratini and then top prospect Amaya.
And just who do the Tigers send to Chicago? It would have to be good even as Heyward is ridiculously expensive and isn’t much better than Miggy
Heywood has been a bust in Chicago.
Contreras is almost a free agent.
I see no logic in the Tigers wanting or acquiring either player.
And, Tigers are not given the Cubs any of their great young prospects for those two high salaried, older players.
Tigers just worked for 4 years getting rid of players like those two.
What would be the benefit and/or the point?!
Unless it’s canceling out Miggy’s contract..forget about it!
That is some fantastic pitching depth among their prospects.
Three of the four are not surprising. Alex Lange was a surprise. Not that the Tigers don’t have options if they want to sign a rule 5 pick or some free agents. Plenty of others on the roster they could release or DFA if and when needed.
Yes, and please!
I mean they can start by never giving Stewart a spot again lol
Why are they selecting the very worst people possible. They could be doing so much better things right now than getting matt manning. The Tigers became a train wreck after Miguel Cabrera joined.
OK, that’s my fill of crazy for the week. Thanks for topping me off after the whole taking Killian Hayes over Halliburton thing….
Lol ok. Not like they went to the World Series or anything