2025 Detroit Tigers

**softailrider** · February-13-25, 09:13 AM

I would have loved to have seen the Tigers sign Alex Bregman. They need a thumper, preferably two. I'm sure the outfield dimensions at Comerica Park had something to do with it. That was a part of Mr. I's legacy he shouldn't be happy with - leaving us with that monstrosity of a ballpark.

**Cincinnati_Kid** · February-13-25, 09:17 AM

I'm glad they didn't sign him. He's nearing the end of his rope. His numbers have declined steadily the last 2 seasons. He settled for 3/120 because nobody was signing him to a 200 million dollar contract.

**Trumpeteer** · February-13-25, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by Cincinnati_Kid

I'm glad they didn't sign him. He's nearing the end of his rope. His numbers have declined steadily the last 2 seasons. He settled for 3/120 because nobody was signing him to a 200 million dollar contract.

Agree, absolutely NO loss he's done.

**401don** · February-13-25, 03:29 PM

Bregman wouldn't have been a great signing but it still leaves the Tigers with no righty power bat and roster problems. They only have room for 3 of McKinstry, Jung, Ibanez, Perez, Tork and Malloy. McKinstry was given a contract and is out of options so he's on the team. Jung will be given a chance to play some 3rd base along with Vierling. That leaves one of the others, likely Ibanez or Perez since they need another guy who can play defense. They need to trade for a power bat that can play 3rd or outfield but that's going to be tough. Will probably have to wait for the deadline.

**softailrider** · February-13-25, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by Cincinnati_Kid

I'm glad they didn't sign him. He's nearing the end of his rope. His numbers have declined steadily the last 2 seasons. He settled for 3/120 because nobody was signing him to a 200 million dollar contract.

Couldn't disagree more. There's no way Bregman's bat wouldn't have been a plus in the Tigers lineup. I could care less about Chris Illich's money.

**Lowell** · February-13-25, 07:20 PM

Two things I'm happy to see the end of: signing talk about Bregman and Ja-red Goff chants.

I'm also happy he wasn't signed. Let this young team get playing time to develop and not be stuck with an aging-Miggie situation.

If the team is rolling, which I think it will, they can always grab somebody at the trade deadline, maybe even Bregman.

That said...
I always feel over the hump of winter when the pitchers and catchers report. Play ball!

**Cincinnati_Kid** · February-14-25, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by softailrider

Couldn't disagree more. There's no way Bregman's bat wouldn't have been a plus in the Tigers lineup. I could care less about Chris Illich's money.

We agree to disagree. He might have some renewed success only because he'll be playing in Fenway, with shorter field dimensions and the Green Monster. The stats don't lie. He's still not worth 40 per, and he took a lesser deal to sign with Boston, rather than with Detroit. What does that mean? If they're really desperate, they can go after Nolan Arrenado. He's available. But it would be the same thing. Paying out a big contract for past performance.

**Zads07** · February-14-25, 08:29 AM

Good riddance. Spending $28.5 per year for 6 years for a guy who had slightly better numbers than Matt Vierling, yea no need to spend this kind of money on a 31-year-old.

I'm OK with what the team offered money wise, but you don't give out that kind of term to a 31-year-old.

**softailrider** · February-14-25, 07:45 PM

I can't believe what I'm reading. Can anybody look me in the eyes and seriously say the Tigers wouldn't be better with Bregman in the lineup for 2025? I'm not talking about long range; I'm not talking about rationing Chris Illich's money I'm talking about being in contention now.

**ABetterDetroit** · February-15-25, 12:54 AM

If he wanted to play here that would have been something… But the reality is he did not. That fact alone tells me that this worked out for the best.

**Zads07** · February-15-25, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by softailrider

I can't believe what I'm reading. Can anybody look me in the eyes and seriously say the Tigers wouldn't be better with Bregman in the lineup for 2025? I'm not talking about long range; I'm not talking about rationing Chris Illich's money I'm talking about being in contention now.

Of course they would be better with his bat in the lineup. But this team isn't in win now mode, their window isn't closing. Build but build smart so this team can compete for awhile.

**401don** · February-15-25, 11:36 AM

I could have gone either way with Bregman. Clearly he didn't want to play in Comerica. However they are in win now mode because they are co-favorites to win the division. Hopefully they're not in "win only now" mode because they are still young and improving with some good prospects on the way. However Skubal is likely gone in two years. Possibly they trade him at the deadline next year. At least I hope he's gone because I sure don't want them locking him up at 300 m plus based on his injury history. No mid-market team can afford that the way pitchers are getting hurt.

**Cincinnati_Kid** · February-15-25, 11:47 PM

Originally Posted by softailrider

I can't believe what I'm reading. Can anybody look me in the eyes and seriously say the Tigers wouldn't be better with Bregman in the lineup for 2025? I'm not talking about long range; I'm not talking about rationing Chris Illich's money I'm talking about being in contention now.

It's possible he could help, but it's also possible he can continue to decline. He didn't want to come here anyway, turning down Detroit's offer, which was more than Boston's. There's no guarantee signing veteran players on the wrong side of 30, especially at 40 per for 3 years. If anything, they should have learned from signing Baez. The Tigers are rebuilding the right way with youth and sprinkling in a few vets on reasonable deals. Leave the big, splashy contracts for the Dodgers and Yankees.

**401don** · March-15-25, 07:32 AM

Meadows and Vierling both out to start the season. Meadows' nerve issue could linger for a long time. Not a good way to start the season. They are going to need Jung and Keith to take a big step forward offensively. On the plus side, Mize is throwing his fastball and especially the splitter much harder and could finally see a breakout year. The pitching is really deep.

**401don** · April-22-25, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by 401don

Meadows and Vierling both out to start the season. Meadows' nerve issue could linger for a long time. Not a good way to start the season. They are going to need Jung and Keith to take a big step forward offensively. On the plus side, Mize is throwing his fastball and especially the splitter much harder and could finally see a breakout year. The pitching is really deep.

Part of this quote is right. Meadows is out even longer than expected, the pitching is really deep and Mize has been great. However Keith has been awful and Jung just got called up. Tork and McKinstry have been their best hitters - didn't see that coming - and Javy is our centerfielder since Meadows, Vierling, Perez, Baddoo, Margot and now Carp for a couple games, are all injured - really didn't see that coming. If the Tigers ever get healthy they should win 90 plus games and the division.

**Lowell** · Yesterday, 08:58 AM

The great Baltimore manager Earl Weaver famously said, “The key to winning baseball games is pitching, fundamentals, and three run homers.”

That seems to be the Tiger's formula so far amid all their injuries.