The Tigers called Parker Meadows back up from Triple-A yesterday, optioning Akil Baddoo to Toledo in the corresponding move. Meadows marked his return to the Show with a solo home run in the Tigers’ 5-4 win over the Reds on Friday, hopefully indicating that the 24-year-old outfielder can translate his Triple-A success to some more consistent production in the big leagues. After batting only .096/.224/.219 in his first 85 plate appearances this year, Detroit sent Meadows back to Triple-A on May 7, and Meadows responded with a .298/.394/.511 slash line in 221 PA over his two months in Toledo.
“A little mechanical adjustment” seemed to do the trick, as Meadows told Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press that keeping his hands up allowed him to keep a more level swing, since “it’s hard to hit a rising fastball when your swing is uphill.” While Meadows continued to have trouble with breaking balls in Toledo, being able to catch up with high velocity could help Meadows produce at something closer to average offense in the majors, which might be all he needs to stick as a regular center fielder given his top-tier glovework. Since Detroit is falling out of the playoff race, the remainder of the season could be an important evaluation period for Meadows to show he can continue to be a key part of the Tigers’ future plans.
More from the AL Central…
- Yoan Moncada played in just 11 games before a left adductor strain sent him to the injured list, but the White Sox third baseman is set to get back to action in the Arizona Complex League next week. Sox manager Pedro Grifol told MLB.com and other media that Moncada will be limited to only DH duty for now, and “if everything goes right, we’re looking at him probably at the end of, close to the end of July” for a return to the majors. Moncada’s strain was bad enough that he was initially given a 3-to-6 month recovery timeline, and while his rehab plan still seems somewhat fluid, it seems like his season is no longer in jeopardy. Moncada is in the final guaranteed year of his five-year, $70MM contract, and since Chicago is very unlikely to exercise its $25MM club option on Moncada for 2025, the infielder could be returning for his final games in a White Sox uniform.
- Alex Kirilloff has been on the Twins’ 10-day injured list since June 13 due to a back strain, and Kirilloff provided media (including the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Bobby Nightengale) with an update on his status yesterday. Since part of the discomfort in Kirilloff’s back was due to a nerve issue, he received a cortisone shot and has been working on core-strengthening exercises for now, hopefully with an eye towards soon starting to take swings. Injuries have plagued the career of the former top prospect, as Kirilloff has been limited to 249 games since his MLB debut in 2021 due to a shoulder surgery, two wrist surgeries, and now this back problem.
- In other Twins injury news, relievers Brock Stewart and Justin Topa each threw 20-pitch sessions (Stewart a live batting practice, Topa a bullpen session) in the last few days. Stewart has now missed over two months due to tendinitis in his right shoulder, but manager Rocco Baldelli told Nightengale and other reporters that Stewart isn’t far away from a minor league rehab assignment. Topa has yet to pitch at all this season after initially starting on the IL with left patellar tendinitis, but in mid-May was diagnosed with a partial tear in his patellar tendon. Since Topa has only recently restarted his throwing progression, it will still be a while before the right-hander is fully ready for his 2024 debut.
Moncada makes sense for a lot of teams. Cubs are a good fit but they gotta start playing better. Mariners good fit. Moncada is versatile he can play 2b and 3b and switch hits easy guy to plug in on the fly.
Problem is no one is trading for a player on the IL. The return timeline is right there and says “end of July” so that puts his return at the deadline with no one really getting to watch him play
You can make a trade for a guy on the IL. And he’s starting his rehab assignment he will be healthy by the end of July anyways. Most teams wait until the last second and I imagine that’s when he will get dealt.
Moncada has been less than desirable every year except 2019. He doesn’t make sense for any teams to give up anything of value for even when he xan stay healthy. Staying healthy is his 2nd biggest issue behind simply not being very good.
Either this is Moncada’s agent or Moncada’s burner account
Blackpink: There’s no guarantee he will be able to play by the end of July. Setbacks frequently happen during rehab assignments.
So what? He’s not gonna cost much regardless. If his health is still questionable then you factor that in.
What kind of weirdo comment is that? Weird hate for Moncada here I don’t get it.
@Blackpink/Joel It is in no way hate for Moncada, I’m just speaking on reality. If anything it’s weirdo adulation on your behalf. The guy aside from 2019 has been regularly hurt and regularly inconsistent with his bat, I’m not making anything up there those are simply facts.
He is going to cost the remainder of the $25M owed and a $5M buyout next season. On top of that whatever prospect capital the Cubs would have to give up. That makes zero sense for a last place team to take on another teams sunken expense.
Tigers3232: But Blackpink hates the Cubs, so he doesn’t care.
I have that Tigers guy on mute he’s a troll I can’t see what he’s saying.
I don’t hate the Cubs. I like when the Cubs and Cardinals are both competitive kind of surprised the Cardinals have a better record in 2024 so far. The Cubs can’t really sell they have nobody to sell they might as well try to get better.
Is 3b a weakness of the Cubs or not? You tell me champ.
Yes you can see the ones it has the reply under.
And yes you muted me because you thought I made up a pitch “sweeper”, when you were attempting to talk down to others proclaiming how much baseball you watch. Yo know when you were talking about Hicks and pitches of his he has never thrown once in his career.
Kind of like when you were arguing with others about LHs being able to play any IF position. You regularly are talking out of your a@$ and make ridiculous statements and often don’t even know some of the most fundamental things about baseball.
How does adding an often injured player with a very inconsistent bat make the Cubs better?? How does taking on the remainder of this year’s salary and his $5M buyout improve them next season??
@Joel I’m anything but a troll. I pointed out that he made no sense for the Cubs.
I tried not to ridicule you. But as usual you try and turn to talking down to others to try and back your false or ridiculous comments. You invite anyone whose critical of what you say by turning to being snide or condescending when you are regularly the one who is wrong.
You should try being accountable instead of feeble attempts at deflection….
“Weird hate for Moncada..I don’t get it”…The Moncada career has been a major disappointment. He was traded for an ace in Chris Sale so much was expected from him. Pointing out that Moncada is an overpaid, injury-prone disappointment is hardly “hate”. It’s more like truth.
I guess if you are a White Sox fan I would understand some degree of hate towards him. But I don’t think some of these people are I really don’t know for sure.
We aren’t talking some big deadline deal here he’s overpaid for sure. But he’s worth more to someone else than he is to the White Sox so I think they should deal him
I don’t see that happening given how much he costs and the $5M buyout on his option next year. Sox would have to pay down so much to get anything of value and that’s not JR’s style.
Blackpink: He’s worthless to any team unless and until he proves he is healthy and can get on the field, so there’s nothing to talk about now.
If he’s on a rehab assignment, which the article clearly states he’s about to be, then he can certainly be dealt in late July.
The site is called trade rumors. It’s July. This kind of thing is going to be discussed if you don’t want to discuss it then dont.
Moncada does not stay healthy for long stretches. When healthy he is probably one of the best defensive third baseman in the game . Offensively, he tends to get very lazy running the bases and he has only one or two years of good hitting. Not worth the money he will ask for after this year. I’m a WS fan and thought he was a good acquisition when they got him but since not so much.
Blackpink: Moncada, an excellent defensive 3b man whose hitting was starting to come around at the end of last season, can use the rest of the season to highlight his skills for his next team. No way in hell is Reinsdorf going to pick up his option. Not because he isn’t a good player. It’s because jr has his wallet welded shut. I don’t recall Yoan playing 2b, but versatility always helps. As for his next team, Mariners? Yes. cubs? HELL NO!
Yes that’s why I think a trade makes sense. He’s not going to sign with the White Sox after this year. Whatever help he can provide the rest of the year won’t matter to the White Sox so they should trade him. Not sure why he isn’t good enough for the Cubs. That’s a big weakness on the Cubs last time I checked.
Blackpink: I just hate the cubs and it would be hard seeing a player who was a big part of the Sox’ 2017 rebuild wearing pajamas with a little teddy bear on them.
Oh come on its not permanent he’s just sleeping over for the night.
Nobody would pick up Moncada’s $25M option. As for his bat starting to come around, that’s the story of his carrer aside from 2019 where offense could be found anywhere. He regularly flashed glimmers of his talent then either implodes or goes on IL.
Yes he’s got a good glove, it has to be on the field to provide value. His bat needs to be as consistent as his glove if he ever stays healthy as well. Both seem to be huge ifs at this point for Moncada.
Tigers3232: There’s no doubting that Moncada, Eloy and Robert need designated runners since every time they step on a base they pull something or break something. But Moncada’s glove alone would make him attractive to a lot of teams. A good hitting coach could help him there. Look what the Dodgers hitting coach did for J.D. Martinez.
JD was a 4 or 5 time All Star by the time he played for Dodgers. He had just hit .286 with 42 doubles(MLB leading) and 28 HRs 2 seasons prior. Not sure if I’d credit the Dodgers hitting coach all that much with JD.
Lets count the ways Moncada is a joke:
-While he has always had a ton of potential, Moncada has never been a guy that could be relied on. Every time it seems like he is getting to be the player many think he could be, its : Ouch my –insert body part here-…’ Ill see you guys in 1,2,3 months.’
-Makes way too many mental mistakes for a guy getting paid what he is getting paid (then again most do with this pathetic coaching staff on the Sox right now).
-maybe above average at third (looks amazing compared to what the Sox have over there when he is not in) but constantly botches easy throws.
In this instance Reinsdorf would be 100% correct to not pickup his option. I have no problem with the Sox to spend money, but lets see them spend it on a proven commodity and not a guy who gets hurt scratching himself.
Watch, he will come back, look great so he can sucker another team into giving him a monster contract then it will be back to his usual ” Ouch, my-insert body part here- Ill see you guys in 1,2,3 months” I just hope it is not the White Sox.
Could he be motivated enough to be a consistent producer? Maybe, but Im guessing you would need to give him ‘prove it’ contracts of one year loaded with incentives so he can play well enough to reach those before he gets hurt again.
What are you talking about? Moncada would be traded for a couple months at the cost of simple salary relief. He doesn’t have to be Jesus with a bat in his hands.
Good lord the hate for Moncada is weird. He’s not the missing piece for a championship run just a guy that can help for a couple months in 2024.
Its not ‘hate’, its facts, its called ‘watching (the few) games he has been is in’.. and watching 40 years of baseball, including seeing how orgs think. In other words, its called ‘reality’.
14.5 career WAR. He’s more than a 3 win player over 600 at bats for his career.
That’s reality. You are being weird.
His stats are completely skewed by 2019. To try and extrapolate the one outlier of a season in his 9 year career as if it was part of a career norm is not excepting reality.
His career WAR total is heavily skewed by the amazing #s he put up once which just so happened to be the juiced ball year. Again another reality….
According to FanGraphs he has a 13.9 WAR over a 9 year career. So roughly 1.5 games above average per season, tho only playing 83 games on average and at 29+ years old is likely peaking now. Not worth anything in a trade really since he isn’t reliable for more than another maybe 50 games and in those games has approached .6war so maybe gets a team 1 more win. And not at his price tag. Better options for the cost alone.
At this point it likely costs the ChiSox to move him.
9 year career? He had like 20 at bats in 2016. In 2017 he spent two thirds of the year in the minors. 2020 was the covid year and this year isn’t over yet. More like 6.5 years not 9.
He isn’t worth his salary. The Sox should pay all his salary and get the best prospect they can get for him. 3b is a thin position someone could use him.
And the bulk of that WAR came in 2019. So regardless if you want to trim it down to 6.5 years or 9 years, his career WAR total is heavily skewed by 2019 and juiced balls.
Ahh, WAR. Yknow whats great about WAR? People can take that one number and act like that number is the end all be all.
Lets take Mike Trout for example Career WAR of 86. Amazing WAR.
How many games has he missed?
Ok, Ok, something a bit more basic. How many World Series have the Angels won with him on the field (or even off of it with his history of injuries)?
Ok, then how about play off wins with him?
Ok, what did he hit in those games? .083
WAR is only a small piece of the goings on.
Moncada is what he is, potentially good, but has repeatedly floundered when given the chance to be great, especially with what the Sox paid him to be, and since he is what was gotten for Chris Sale (His career WAR, btw, is 49.9). However, the apparent lack of want is strong in this guy, whether its lack of hustle at times, throwing balls away toward first, having base running gaffs, or his propensity of injuries (which I believe is more from a lack of working with trainers to ensure he can get out there most days),
Its evident now, and most teams have also seen it. For the Sox to trade him it would either have to be for another abysmal contract, or eating a significant portion of his salary for the season (Either of which I don’t see ‘The Chairman’ doing).
@avenger65, Moncada played 54 games @2b in 17 and 149 in 18. None since. So technically, ya he may have been a defensively responsible 2b at one point. Doesn’t mean he would be now. Maybe the shorter throw to 1st saves him from some arm injuries. Maybe the more fielding coverage cost him more leg injuries. But yes he did play there.
Moncada may be returning to the lineup soon, but he needs to put up some decent numbers in the final two months of the season. This will be his audition for teams to look at if he’s worth giving a one-year prove it deal.
Great fit for the Cubs if the Cubs can get it together and start competing again.
No thanks, Moncada is a headcase, Cubs need a more stable guy at 3B, but they have more problems than just getting a competent third baseman. Hoyer didn’t do enough this offseason and it’s showing…
I’m not sure why anyone would think it would be a good idea to trade for a rental player who can’t stay healthy and his lone great yr came in 2019. Especially proposing it would be a great fit for a last place team that should be sellers not taking on high risk rentals and losing young controllable talent to aquire them.
What better 3b is available? Name one.
The Cubs don’t need to aquire a 3B, they are in last place. Nor is Moncada avaible, he is under contract on a roster. So if you want to just lump anyone who fits in rental 3B on a team that looks to not be contending or is a spare part a Urshela or a reunion with Candelario would seem better fits.
Again though, a last place Cubs team should not be going out and giving up young controllable players for a rental. Especially one who can’t stay healthy and has been anything but consistent throughout his career. It makes no sense whatsoever.
Moncada will try to play well enough to either get traded to some sucker team then after the trade deadline or after he is traded it will be another injury.
Yeah that’s weird dude
Indeed. Both Moncada and Eloy (2yrs worth) will have their expensive options declined. They are the posterboys of overhyped lethargic prospects that made its rebuild a flop.
Hindsight would’ve been keep them hungry to earn serious money rather than extend. Hurt a ton and no sign of life/drive/perseverance.
Unlike many, liked TA in spite of his faults. He turned himself into a really good hitter with hard work. Since he just got dfa’d elsewhere with a superior work ethic, Moncada/Eloy better be self-aware other MLB teams see them as reclamation project/easy to cut loose pickup in ’25.
TA’s career has really taken one on the chin….
I hope Parkers brother Austin is doing ok haven’t heard anything about him in a while
Yeah, that whole Austin experience was just too freaking weird. That’s a guy I wish the best, but don’t ever want to see him playing for Detroit again.
SweetBabyRayKingsThickThighs, I think the lack of news on Austin Meadows is by design, as I figure he wants his privacy. I’d say assume things are status quo and that he’s retired from baseball, although he’s not announced it.
Hopefully round two with Meadows in Detroit goes better. They can use the offense.
I actually watched the game yesterday. Kind of hard to do because Bally isn’t on Comcast anymore. But, I was impressed with what I saw. The Tigers looked really good, like it felt like I caught a glimpse of the future and I honestly liked what I saw. I especially loved the play of Colt Keith, to include that double play, deep in the hole on the first base side. Moving away from second. Speedy runners. Bang bang at both bags, but got both outs.
Keith is starting to pick it up. Maolly has loojed better too. Maybe the second half of the season will be better. Should be some more new faces after the deadline (trades and callups) and cross your fingers that Carp can get back.
I’m not very optimistic with Carpenter. I’d just rather he takes the time he needs to get it right, even if that means taking the rest of the season off and rehabbing it. Maybe if by super slim chance they enter a playoff race, he could come back if he’s healthy. Otherwise, rehab and get it stronger for next year.
TroyVan, Interestingly enough, I wasn’t able to watch the game yesterday. I watch Bally on Direct TV Stream and the broadcast was on Apple TV. I did see the highlights via Twitter. I am pleased to see Colt coming into his own. Meadows, even though he hit a monster homer in his first AB back, it’s only one game. I’m hoping for more. Olson from what I have gathered pitched another solid game. Plus, Greene, he’s going to be a star, if he can stay healthy. I’ll have to miss today’s game as well, due to other plans.
MCBB, I don’t have much hope that we’ll see Carp at all the rest of the season. I lost that optimism when he was deemed to have a fracture. I hope I’m wrong, however and am not going to get all dramatic like “Dogs” did in a previous thread. He seemed to diagnose Kerry just because his wife has back pain.
We were discussing Flaherty not Carpenter. Totally different diagnosis’s..
Okay, whatever you say, forum moderator, doctor and true idiot.
You get a thumbs up for such a nice comment. It shows you are still an ass.
Look in the mirror and see the real ass.
Project much?
Again, project much?
“Bally isn’t on Comcast”…Consider terminating Comcast and buying MLB.TV if you like to watch MLB. Comcast is not a reliable source for MLB in my honest opinion.
Can’t watch mlb.tv in market. Games are blacked out.
I like Parker Meadows. Solid defender with great speed. He has some power. He won’t hit a lot, but I think he should do well enough to stay up. He needed a reset. Some young guys do. It’s not a bad thing. I was thinking Keith might need one, but he has really come around. I wish they had taught him a defensive position though. Whitaker had a .984 fielding percentage… Keith is at .967. Sweet Lou was never that bad.
I like the comp you had earluer this year for Meadows as being a Kiermaier type. I’d take that. Even when he was drafted as a 3B they said Keith could end up in the OF. It’s his first year at 2B. Hopefully that will improve as he matures.
Mellycheese, how do you know Meadows won’t hit a lot? Got a crystal ball? It’s stupid garbage like that which chased you away from motownsports.
Parker Meadows crushed his home run yesterday. Good to see. Also good to see is Colt Keith coming of age right in front of us. He was my preseason pick for ROY and after the last 2 months, I’d say he’s firmly back in that race.
Step 4: Go away Stuperfife.
Hi Trevor.
Unfortunately, it’s not likely any team takes a chance on you. It’s a bit unfair. We know you are legally innocent, but morally innocent is another story. No teams wants to deal with that potential (but likely) PR firestorm, the cost of which will greatly exceed whatever savings are gained by signing you to a minimum contract.
Meadows is a keeper, and he’s going to be in Detroit a good while. Detroit is loaded with veterans who’ll move on and out. Kieth is a huge win for the Harris regime. Vierling is like the old Aurelio Rodriguez Tom Brookens era’s third base for this Tiger team. He has more power, and finally Detroit has a third baseman that’s not killing them who can lead off. Harris did good in trading for him, and his versatility will pair nicely when Jung comes up.
Detroit has some real good player’s and right now a big star in Greene. They are under performing right now, but they do have guys that make the future bright for them. The Tigers play with anyone who they play against. They are not woeful or have less talent than their opponents either. Jobe the rising star is eagerly awaited, and we all want to see Greene stay a Tiger for life.
Vierling is the prototypical utility man,. He can play well in the outfield and at 3B and is invaluable. Brookens and Rodriguez were versatile as well. Matt fits well on the roster as they did. I agree that Harris made a good trade, even though Sands or Maton didn’t work out. Soto was never going to be consistent anyway. Regarding, underperforming, it’s called growing pains for the youngsters. We’re now seeing the breakout of Keith and Greene, now that he’s been healthy all year. Get Tork straightened out and you have two potential 30+ HR 90+ RBI players on the team in the future (Tork’s hit that plateau once, and Greene is well on his way, if he stays healthy). I have a feeling Keith will join that group as well, probably next year and beyond.
It would be nice to see the Tigers just make Vierling the regular 3B for the rest of the year. Keith is a huge win, (but was part of the Avila regime). It would absolutely be nice to see Greene signed on long term. Unfortunately, Chris I doesn’t want to spend actual money, and that’s what it would take to keep Skubal or Greene long term.
I don’t think Illitch is adverse to spending as most believe. I to had thought he was not in the past. But as Tigers started to show a little life he okayed spending on ERod and Baez(unfortunately). He also did so again this offseason with Cahna’s option, Flaherty, and Urshela. Keith was extended early.
As for Skubal and Greene, I absolutely agree they should both be extended. With Greene I believe they will. As for Skubal, I highly doubt it. I have to believe most players who sign with Boras are all for betting on themselves and seeing it through to free agency. In Skubal’s case I think he’s to far in the process not to go for it at this point. He’s only got 2 seasons to go and has performed well enough that even if he was out with TJS he’d likely see some type of multi year offer with teams betting on him after recovery. The risk/reward I’d just tilted far closer to the reward half in Skubal’s case.
Tigers3232, I’d take anything that STYMEEDONE says with a grain of salt. I saw you were accused of being a troll, well STYMEEDONE, out does trolls exponentially. He doesn’t like anyone in the Tigers front office and shows his stupid bias all the time.
I agree on Vierling, unless they bring Jung up in September for a test drive. Urshela is likely gone at the trade deadline. Maybe the Yankees want to get the band back together and take him for a lottery pick. Next year has to be Jung or a free agent though for 3B. Vierling should be a Utility guy for the long term.
I think Avila could draft just fine. He just sucked at trades and free agents. There’ll be a few more players he drafted who will play in Detroit in the near future.
Greene and Skubal have justified getting long term contracts. Keeping them around for the long term shows a commitment to winning and is a selling point to free agents.
Gem after gem from STYMEEDONE…..Vierling is not going to be the regular third baseman. He’ll play some center field to spell Meadows. As far as Keith goes, let’s just ignore that your hate crush Harris signed him to the extension, but you’ll never ever give him credit for anything he does unless it’s something you think is stupid. Speaking of stupid, you think Chris isn’t going to do anything to keep Skubal and Greene…you’re nuts. Just plain dumb.
It sounds like Urshela is going to be gone at the deadline, and he has only hit sos-sp anyway. McKinistry should be gone too and not getting starts there. They haven’t played Ibanez there very much this year. Urshela was the main competition forc3B at bats. That leaves Vierling to get the bulk unless they bring up Jung at some point.
Perez is also in the mix for CF at bats to spell Meadows.
Wherever they play Vierling he has earned everyday at bats this year. Good until man.
I’m not convinced that Urshela or Canha are going anywhere. All of a sudden they’ve lost the ability to hit. Yeah, Canha had the game winning double yesterday but who would want to trade for either player? I think the only viable trade chips the Tigers have are Kelly and Flaherty (if healthy).
Perez is a corner outfielder. I’m not sure if he’s played any CF at all. That being said, with the Tigers playing Cleveland and the Dodgers before the ASB, that might be the final nail in the proverbial coffin and when play resumes, then might be the opportunity to experiment with him. For the time being though, I’d say that Vierling backs up in center, where he’s got proven experience.
Jung is still hurt. So I’m going with a solution that you mentioned earlier in that if any trade is made, it’s for a 3B.
We do agree that Vierling should be an everyday player, but I say he’s not got a firm position. Utility players are invaluable and can get playing time. He’s proven that in his two seasons as a Tiger. He’s a decent hitter with some pop and a solid defender.
And just after posting my comment, the Tigers lineup for today came out with Vierling starting in LF, giving a defensive day off for Riley Greene, as he’s DH’ing this afternoon. Versatility is Vierling’s middle name.
MLB.COM shows he has played 48 games in RF and 27 in CF. Like Vierling he’s a backup option though as long as Neadows hits a link.
I think someone picks up Canha despite the slump…he’s just a good hitter and gets in vase. Urshela will end up with the Yankees even though he’s not hitting well to join Lemahieu as and knave a daily hole in their lineup. I dream that someone would be dumb enough to take Baez but them I wake up to the nightmare of him still on the team.
We’ll see. Canha got off to a hot start, so did Urshela, but due to the last month or so, it’s hard for me to imagine them making a difference on a contender.
There’s always hope for someone taking Baez….remember Prince Fielder and his huge contract? Yes, I realize Prince was far better than Javy is, but still wasn’t worth the money he was getting paid. In return, the Tigers got Ian Kinsler. I’m not saying that Baez will bring back anyone as valuable as Kins was, but there’s always a sucker out there and if he can be dumped for a low level prospect, the Tigers win with addition by subtraction, even if they have to eat some of the contract. If that doesn’t happen, I still say, that unless some miracle happens with Baez, he’ll be cut outright at the end of the season.
I agree on Baez, Urshela and Canha. I could see Urshela cut if no one bites on a trade. You watch if Baez doesn’t get cut, sign on elsewhere and start hitting.
I believe that about Baez. I don’t normally believe or create conspiracy theories, but my gut tells me after watching him play in Detroit that he never wanted to play for the Tigers, but they were possibly the only bidders for his services. When it came to his opt out, he didn’t accept it and stayed because there were no other teams interested. If there were, he’d be playing elsewhere. He’s just playing chicken with the Tigers and might actually want to be cut loose, so his performance on the field has been counter productive, tanking on purpose. He had a really decent career with the Cubs and the Mets, on both sides of the ball.
After saying that Urshela can’t hit anymore, he has a three hit game, through the sixth inning. Of course, it’s likely an outlier.
Of course from time to time my gut fails me and with Baez, he may have fallen off that proverbial cliff and it’s coincidence that his downfall happened shortly after the Tigers signed him.
I hope he’s not doing that. I always liked Baez and how hard he played. He’s just been SO bad it blows you mind sometimes. They 100% need to go find his replacement in trade at the deadline or in the offseason, or perhaps sign Kim or Adames after the season. I like Kim or maybe a prospect like Nacho Alvarez who is close and plays well on both sides of the ball.
I hope I’m wrong too. I’ve seen you post about this Nacho Alvarez before but know literally nothing about him. Is he a type that could realistically come back for a Flaherty (if healthy) and/or Kelly trade?
And then all the vitriol over McKinstry, he homers and has a two hit, 3 RBI performance. Baseball is a crazy game.
Tarik Skubal becomes the second pitcher in franchise history to strike out 13+, walk none and give up one or less runs. Mickey Lolich is the other.
Tigers sweep the Reds, 5-4, 5-3 and 5-1. First sweep since the opening series of the season against the White Sox. They’re now 42-48.
BTW, the 13 K’s is a career high for Skubal and he earns his 10th win of the season. Maybe he’s the starter for the AL in the ASG?
A Braves fan said he doesn’t see it happening because they need a shortstop with Arcia’s poor play this year. I see his point but I also see rumors about the Braves going after Bichette. I think him and Drake Baldwin (C) would be an awesome return and fill two areas of concern for the Tigers. Both are high OBP , lots of walks, good defense. Jim Bowden said the Tigers could get a top 5 and two top 30 prospects for Flaherty from an average system. Atlanta system is not highly rated. Nacho is #6 I believe and Baldwin is #12. I really like the looks of both.
He should be the starter. I see Lugo and Crochet mentioned as well as Corbin Burnes too.
Too bad it doesn’t work on Baez or I’d bad mouth him every day 😉
Well, Javy did homer last night, in Toledo. lol
Let’s now trash Parker Meadows out of a serious injury. It seems to be something in the hamstring. Really too bad as he got off to a good start after three games.
Parker Meadows’ return to the Tigers with a home run is promising. His mechanical adjustments in Triple-A seem effective. Let’s hope he maintains this momentum and solidifies his place in the majors.
Add in that Meadows had another couple of hits today, including a double that came close to leaving the yard. I am now thinking he made an adjustment at Toledo and might be straightened out, but it is a cautious optimism being it’s only two games.
He said in an interview yesterday that he flattened out his swing plane. They told him it’s hard to hit a rising fastball with an uppercut. He got it. Now let’s see if Torkelson can understand that…
I hope Tork can get with the plan. Maybe his best friend Riley the all star can get in his ear and teach him a thing or two about hitting.
The W. Sox are a mess . Keep Crochet Lee Sosa and Roberts build around them. Dump the rest
Yep.
Why not keep Crochet? 2 more years of control, Oh not White Sox fan?
BREAKING NEWS,
Yankees swing deal to send Babe Ruth back to Red Sox for Wong & Duran. Who says No?