Indeed, although it seems like his defense has regressed as the bat heated up. Hopefully he'll put the bat and glove together as he gets more experience. Easy to forget he's still 23.
I've watched so much more Tigers baseball since moving back. I always got mlb.tv instead of Extra Innings, and it is so much more convenient to my life. Feels good. Can't wait for hockey season - I was a slave to national television and the Wings coming to Chicago for too long. Heck, I might even watch the Pistons again!
Pretty good day for JaCoby Jones in Erie Tom Reisenweber @ETNreisenweber JaCoby Jones' 3 HR today: right-center, left-center, dead center. #tigers #powersurge #allfields
I know Mike Hessman isn't on the 40 man roster, but it would be nice if the Tigers found a way to bring him up when rosters expand to finish career. He just set the record for minor league home runs in a career at 433. That's a lot of home runs in any league.
Not really sure what this means. Maybe Simon is going to the DL? WagnerBlade @jwagnerblade Welp, some #Tigers news involving @MudHens. Went into lockerroom late after game, and Matt Boyd's locker was EMPTY. Call up?
My very first thought when I read that. And yeah, since the Tigers have called it a season they should be doing whatever makes the fans happy. I'd like to see Hessman play the last series or something.
Probably starting in place of Simon. He only pitched two innings in his Toledo debut in case they needed him for that.
I'm totally down to give all the young guys some run to end the year. Let's see what we got going in to next season. Maybe we'll only need to acquire one FA starter instead of three ...
Norris is definitely pitching through August and probably as much as it takes to get him to about 160-70 innings (he threw 130 last year and 90 the year before, so I'd assume they don't want to blow him out). He's at 120 right now so depending on how his starts go, he should have about 7-9 starts left. Boyd will probably get Simon's start this week and/or move into Farmer's role. It sounds like they are already working on making his fastball move, so he might need to work on that in Toledo for another few starts depending on what happens this week. Fulmer will probably make 1-2 starts later in the year unless we're somehow still in contention. The rotation will have Verlander, Anibal and Norris for sure, and I'd asssume 1 FA + whoever wins the spring competition between Greene, Boyd, Farmer, Lobstein, Cessa and Fulmer. I'd assume 2 of Greene, Farmer and Lobstein will be in the bullpen if they aren't in the rotation, plus Wilson, Hardy and then 3 more coming from Kyle Ryan, Krol, AlAl, Rondon and FA signings. I think both Ryan and Farmer are more likely to be relivers than starters and could be effective pitching at 94-96 in short burts. And frankly, I wish we'd more actively move mediocre starting prospects into the pen and give them real jobs - this August and September would be a great time to do it. Kyle Ryan is a fringe starting prospect - pitch him in the 7th and 8th. Buck Farmer can't throw enough strikes to be a starter, but he throws enough to pitch the 8th inning of games.
Justin Rose @JRoseWXYZ 7m7 minutes ago As he was inside, other Tigers execs gathered outside clubhouse, when DD left, he didn't stop to talk to his front office folks. Justin Rose @JRoseWXYZ 6m6 minutes ago The Front office folks have been in clubhouse, closed doors, for 30 minutes. We're waiting for any indication on what's transpired.
Boyd starting instead of Farmer and Simon still on schedule? Interesting. Maybe Dave is handing over GM duties to Al Avila.
Jason Beck @beckjason 22s22 seconds ago Quote from Ilitch: “I’ve decided to release Dave from his contract in order to afford him the time to pursue other career opportunities.”
Whoa. So they aren't just promoting Al, Dave is flat out quitting? Who is going to be the CEO/President? Christopher?
Catherine Slonksnis @CSlonksnis 1m1 minute ago From owner Mike Ilitch in team release: "I feel this is the right time for the Tigers to move forward under new leadership.”
I don't know who else you'd really target. Epstein and Freidmen have new jobs, and Billy Beane seems happy. What other rock star GMs are really out there and looking to move up to a big market franchise?
lol ok Catherine Slonksnis @CSlonksnis 39s39 seconds ago Avila: "We’re confident we can make a strong push to win this year."
I'm under the impression that Al is pretty well regarded, especially when it comes to LA scouting, fair statement?
Well, they're definitely going to save money on the GM - Avila should be about half the price of Dave. I wonder if Christopher wants to chop salary down and Dave said to Mike, "what the fuck, you're the one who busted the market to overpay Verlander and Miggy before they even needed an extension, you're the reason I'm spending $6M a year on Prince, you're the reason I emptied out the system every year and had no money to spend on relief pitchers after you insisted I get a $10M closer..." and got fired.
Not interim, not cutting costs, not firing Ausmus until October: Avila signed his new contract on Tuesday, but he would not disclose the terms. He did say he has enough years on his contract for security going forward, "to maintain the winning tradition of the Tigers." Avila said Brad Ausmus will remain Tigers manager this season. "I believe in Brad Ausmus," Avila said. "He's our manager for the rest of the season for sure. He's done a good job. I have all the confidence in Brad Ausmus." Avila said Ilitch was on board with the three trades the Tigers made last week, dealing David Price, Joakim Soria and Yoenis Cespedes. Avila said Ilitch is not in a "cost-cutting mode" and that the franchise would continue to pursue a World Series championship.
Not sure it means anything at the end of the day but no one from the Illitch family was at the presser. Personally though I expect this team is sold in the next five years.
Honestly I think Illitch decided he wasn't playing the game after going through the Babcock ordeal. He probably offered him a new deal with a raise and said take it or leave it.
I have to believe Dombrowski balked at some terms laid down by Mike or Chris, or had terms of his own, and was immediately let go. Avila isn't young and up and coming - he's 57 to DD's 59. It seems pretty stupid/reactionary.
Has Mr. I even made any public appearances the last year or two? This has Chris Illitch written all over him. Those kids are going to sell this team as soon as he passes.
It doesn't. Ilitch made a snap judgment that Dave had to go Saturday morning and canned him. You don't fire the GM if you're selling the team.
Either Mike heard Dave was interested in other opportunities and fired him, or blames Dave for the Tigers being sellers and fired him. Any other reason can wait until the end of the year.
On the Royals broadcast, they showed DD on the field during Tiger's batting practice. His son was in the outfield shagging fly balls.
On the radio the said Ilitch called Avila Saturday to see if he was interested. Today Ilitch fired Dave without warning and had a contact in place with Avila. This is a seriously "what the fuck" move. Why embarrass Dombrowski like this unless there was some sudden issue like Dave looking for a new job, unless you're just an old crank?
I really think that Illitch told Dave he needed to make up his mind on a new deal today, or else he was going to promote Al. I am sure DD didn't appreciate that ut still gave it some thought and this is the end result. Illitch is loyal to a fault, but I think Babcock ruined some of that trust and as a result he took measures to make sure it didn't happen to him twice in the same calendar year.