By restructuring quarterback Jared Goff’s contract the Detroit Lions free up $15 million

The Detroit Lions were (and still are for the most part) tight against the salary cap. On Wednesday morning it was announced the team has restructured the contract of presumed starting quarterback Jared Goff. There was some cap relief to the tune of $15. It does however also mean the Lions are tied to Goff longer.

Detroit Lions General Manager, Brad Homes, has stated many times that Jared Goff was THE reason the Lions traded former quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams.

DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 16: Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up prior to the start of the game against the Detroit Lions on October 16, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. The Lions defeated the Rams 31-28. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Holmes has had a solid relationship with Goff ever since he spearheaded the Rams drafting him. While it is true the Lions received two-first round draft picks as well as a third round pick, Holmes says Goff was the reason for the trade.

With a base salary of $25.65 million, the Lions converted $20 million of the contract into a signing bonus. So Goff gets all that money up front. While he was going to be the presumed Lions starter this season Jared Goff is now likely to be the Lions starting quarterback for at minimum two seasons and possibly more.

NEW YORK – APRIL 26: A general view shows the stage during the during the 2008 NFL Draft on April 26, 2008 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Sure Brad Holmes has said that all draft options were on the table at #7 including a quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft. Now the Lions have even more options. If a quarterback they like is not there they can either draft another position of need or move back and acquire more picks.

The restructured contract allows the Lions to sign their draft class as well as sign any free agent during the season in case of injury. It could be just as Holmes has said, he views Goff as the starting quarterback moving forward.

The real proof will come during the draft. When the Lions draft their first round draft pick all will be revealed.

 

With the third pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, here is a look at who the Detroit Tigers could take

The bad news, the Detroit Tigers rebuild continues. The good news it is closer to being over. More good news, the Tigers have the third pick in this years MLB Draft. In last years draft the Detroit Tigers went with all position players and no pitchers. Not on purpose mind you. The players selected kept falling into the Tigers lap and the team was right to draft them. So who might the Tigers select in this years draft? Let’s take a look.

It is at this point where I’d like to remind you of my sheer distain for “mock drafts.” They are rarely on point and are in my opinion an incredible waste of time to read and sift through. I prefer to look at the organization and see what needs they have. So here we go.

VARIOUS CITIES, – MARCH 12: A detail of baseballs during a Grapefruit League spring training game between the Washington Nationals and the New York Yankees at FITTEAM Ballpark of The Palm Beaches on March 12, 2020 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Many professional and college sports are canceling or postponing their games due to the ongoing threat of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Detroit Tigers organization is set with pitching. In fact the Tigers pitching prospects are ranked #1. That said if (and it is a big IF) Vanderbilt pitcher Jack Leiter is there at #3 the Tigers should pounce. Pun and no pun intended.

Leiter would be an incredible addition to a future Tigers starting rotation already featuring Casey Mize, Matt Manning and Tarik Skubal. The fact that Jack Leiter threw a no-hitter this past Saturday makes it impossible he slides past #3.

Another player who would be welcomed in Motown is top high school talent short stop Jordan Lawlar. There is a lot of talk that Lawlar is not only the best high school prospect but that he is better than Bobby Witt Jr. (Kansas City Royals.)

A Detroit lineup that features Spencer Torkelson, Riley Green, Isaac Paredes and Lawlar is enough to make Tiger fans drool with excitement. Those four would make a very good core to build around.

Next the Tigers are desperate for a catcher. If the team places this as a priority then University of Miami’s (FL), Adrian Del Castillo would be ideal. Del Castillo brings power and patience with hit hitting. With 39 extra base hits and 43 walks an 32 strike outs in 77 games played, makes him attractive at #3.

It should be noted of the players I mentioned both Leiter and Lawlar (even though he is a high school prospect) are closest to being MLB ready. In my opinion, if the Detroit Tigers select one of the three plays mentioned they will be better.

SECAUCUS, NJ – JUNE 08: The Draft board is seen ahead of the 2020 Major League Baseball Draft at MLB Network on Monday, June 8, 2020 in Secaucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

With the #2 ranked farm system The Tigers are poised to add talent and have the makings of a very good baseball team. July 11–13, in Atlanta, Georgia is the date to remember as the 2021 MLB Draft is set to take place.

The Detroit Tigers pitchers are being instructed to throw rising fastballs

Every pitcher from youth is taught to keep the ball down in the strike zone. Hitters like to hit the ball waist high and slightly higher. So it seems very counterintuitive that the Detroit Tigers pitchers are being asked to throw rising fastballs this spring. This is at the recommendation of Tigers manager A.J. Hinch. High fastballs? Really?

There is a method to the madness. As odd as it seems to have all pitchers (minor league included) learn how to properly throw rising fastballs it may be good strategy. I can only guess this is part of A.J. Hinch’s thought process.

If Detroit Tigers pitchers are pounding the strike zone with low fastballs, then a switch to a rising fastball could be effective getting a hitter to get under the ball and pop it up.

CLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 21: Starting pitcher Michael Fulmer #32 of the Detroit Tigers pitches to Franmil Reyes #32 of the Cleveland Indians during the second inning at Progressive Field on August 21, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Casey Mize and Michael Fulmer have had rough patches this spring trying to hone the rising fastball. In fact both have been hit hard at times and given up home runs and extra base hits as a result of trying to find and hit location. Other Tiger pitchers have also had moments of frustration. Yet, Hinch is confident this will help the organization moving forward.

A.J. Hinch insisted that Houston Astros pitcher throw rising fastballs when he was the manager in Houston and won a World Series with a pitching staff that threw the pitch. In my opinion this is actually a smart move, as odd as it sounds and seems.

MLB hitters walk to the plate looking for low pitch’s. This dates back 152 years, as long as MLB baseball has been around. Imagine a pitching sequence something like this.

first pitch- fastball low

second pitch- change up at the knees

third pitch- rising fastball pop out to center field.

LAKELAND, FL – FEBRUARY 25: Chris Fetter #52 of the Detroit Tigers poses during Photo Day at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, February 25, 2021 at in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

This is what Hinch and Tigers pitching coach Chris Fetter are trying to get pitchers to both see and apply. It is spring training and the perfect time for pitchers to work on adding pitches to repertoires.

It does not count against the pitchers stats due to spring training. There will be highs and lows when the season kicks off April 1, 2021. But given both Fetter and pitching repetition Detroit Tigers pitchers as well as minor league pitchers should improve on throwing the pitch as the season moves along.

 

2021 Detroit Tigers season preview

As a Detroit Tigers fan, it is easy to get ahead of yourself. To look into the very near future and see what are now Tiger top prospects evolving into a very good baseball team. After all, MLB Pipeline has the Detroit Tigers farm system ranked #2. But, the reality is that there is the upcoming season to tend to first. Here is how I see it shaping out for the Tigers.

LAKELAND, FL – FEBRUARY 25: Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers poses during Photo Day at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, February 25, 2021 at in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

First I believe Tarik Skubal will break camp with the Tigers and head to Detroit at the close of spring training. I also believe both Casey Mize and Matt Manning will head to Triple-A but will both spend time in Detroit. The future of Tigers pitching both starters and relief pitching is going to be very good.

This will be another long season in Motown. That said there will be excitement at Comerica Park this summer as other top prospects get call up to get their feet wet. Not to mention fans tracking other top prospects not at Triple-A such as 3B, Gage Workman.

In the past, Detroit Tigers owner Mike Ilitch spent money on high priced, big name free agents. The late Ilitch’s son Christopher is now owner and has vowed that he to will spend money when the core players are close to being full-time major league ready.

With only Miguel Cabrera being owed $32 million per year for the next three seasons, Detroit is poised to dip into the free agent market this coming off season. With team needs at center field and short stop the Tigers can and most likely will target big names on the market.

New Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch has put together a solid coaching staff. Hinch oversaw the final stages of the Houston Astros rebuild and took the Astros to the World Series just two years after being named Houston’s manager.

LAKELAND, FL – FEBRUARY 25: A.J. Hinch #14 of the Detroit Tigers poses during Photo Day at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, February 25, 2021 at in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

The Detroit Tigers are in the final stages of a rebuild with A.J. Hinch in the dugout. They also have an owner who will spend money, and is armed with a very good prospect pipeline.

Better days are head for the Tigers. But first the 2021 season must be played.

 

By re-signing Romeo Okwara it is the start of a long overdue rebuild for the Detroit Lions

Some teams tweak their rosters to stave off rebuilding while trying most times in vain for one more trip to the playoffs. Some teams rip the band aid off and get right down to rebuilding. That is where the Detroit Lions are. A down to the studs rebuild. When Lions general manager Brad Holmes re-signed defensive end Romeo Okwara and not wide receiver Kenny Golladay, Holmes effectively moved the Lions into rebuild mode.

Here in my opinion is what Brad Holmes may have been thinking. While it would have been nice to have both Okwara and Golladay back due to salary cap issues that was not in the cards for the Lions.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) runs the ball under the pressure of Detroit Lions defensive end Romeo Okwara (95) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Michigan USA, on Sunday, October 28, 2018. (Photo by Amy Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The Lions defense has needed edge rushers for a while. Romeo Okwara and his 10 quarterback sacks last season fits that bill. Again in my opinion because he can get to the quarterback Holmes put a premium on bringing Okwara back.

NFL pass rushers who are able to sack quarterbacks are not cheap. As Okwara’s 3 year $13 per year contract extension shows. One other factor I believe was critical in Holmes decision is that the Detroit Lions defense was so bad last few seasons that he simply could not afford to let the best player on the defense walk as a free agent and get nothing in return for him.

Make no mistake about it, by re-signing Okwara the Lions defense is not going to suddenly spring to life. It does mean that when his rotation comes up and he is on the field, he gives the Lions a proven weapon. This team is rebuilding and needs any edge it can get.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 15: Romeo Okwara #95 of the Detroit Lions plays against the Washington Football Team at Ford Field on November 15, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The easy step to take was re-signing Romeo Okwara. The more difficult part comes by Brad Holmes and the Detroit Lions scouting department putting the right talent around him.

This was the right call for Brad Holmes to make. Kenny Golladay is a very good player and can help any offense in the NFL. But a good, talented young edge rusher does not come along everyday.

With roster holes and needs all over, look at who the Detroit Lions could target in the 2021 NFL Draft

Following a 5-11 season that saw the dismissal of general manager Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia the Detroit Lions are starting over. New Lions GM Brad Holmes and the Lions scouting department are currently hard at work evaluating talent and coming up for a draft day “big board.” The Lions have holes all over the roster and are set to embark on a lengthy rebuild. So who could the franchise target with the #7 pick in the first round? Let’s take a look.

The 2021 NFL Draft is set, Thursday, April 29- May 1. It has been a while since the Detroit Lions have won a playoff game, 1991 to be exact. Brad Holmes is now being charged with changing the narrative that the Detroit Lions can not be a winning franchise.

It is safe to say the Detroit Lions will not be a winning team for at least two seasons and more likely three. That is alright. It is more important that Holmes and company get the draft picks right in order to build a core of players to build around.

In my opinion the Detroit Lions have three position groups that stand out as needing the most attention. In no certain order. Keep in mind that all of the Lions issues and needs will not be fixed in one draft.

  1. Wide Receiver:  Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, and Danny Amendola are all going to be gone and need to be replaced.  2020 fifth-rounder Quintez Cephus
    NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 20: Quintez Cephus #87 of the Detroit Lionsplays against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)

    is a player who has proven he can be part of the Lions receiving future. Ja’Marr Chase, DeVonta Smith, and Jaylen Waddle are all wide receivers who could and should be there when Detroit picks at #7. Any one of the three would be a big welcome.

2. Linebacker: I will try to be nice here, but the facts are that the linebackers were (and as of right now still are) a hot mess of bad. The Lions linebackers are void of athleticism and energy. There appears to be only one linebacker worthy of a top 10 pick and that player is  Penn State’s Micah Parsons. Parsons is by far the most versatile linebacker in this class. Parsons would instantly be the Lions top linebacker if selected.

 

3. Quarterback: Yes, Jared Goff will be the Detroit Lions starting quarterback this season and perhaps next season. Brad Holmes said he likes the quarterbacks in this years draft. One of Trey Lance, Justin Fields and  Zach Wilson, could be there at #7. If Holmes goes quarterback it is because he and the scouting department agree on a player enough to make them the franchise QB.

There you have it. These are the positions and some players who I believe the Detroit Lions are looking into. We will know for sure next month when the 2021 NFL Draft rolls out.

The Detroit Lions are being set up for future success

New Detroit Lions General Manager, Brad Holmes has wasted little time in taking an axe to former GM Bob Quinn’s roster. To date Holmes has cut eight players from the Quinn era and traded the franchise quarterback (Matthew Stafford) to the Los Angeles Rams for two-first round draft picks and a third round draft pick as well as Rams starting quarterback Jared Goff. In doing so Holmes is setting the Lions up for future success.

As with any new front office and coaching staff, Brad Holmes is no different. Holmes is looking to put his fingerprints on the Lions roster. A roster filed with slow, aging over paid players. Holmes made it clear he prefers young fast versatile players.

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 27: Running back D’Andre Swift #32 of the Detroit Lions warms up before the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. The Lions defeated the Cardinals 26-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

By freeing up the Detroit roster of players that do not and will not fit what the Lions are trying to do, Holmes is setting the Lions up to fail. Yes, I said fail. The team is void of enough impact players to win. That is a good thing. This is a total rebuild.

When any team in any sport rebuilds, high draft picks are critical to future success. By pairing down rosters general managers increase the probability they will net high draft picks, Brad Holmes has done that.  Holmes has made it nearly impossible for the Lions to be anywhere but a top three pick in next years NFL draft. Coupled with the Los Angeles Rams first round draft pick in 2022 and 2023.

The popular phrase used by fans and media when a general manager strips a roster of talent is “tanking.” It may sound crude, but the is in essence exactly what is taking place.

Brad Holmes has said he does not like the term rebuild, but he prefers retooling or reshaping. Call it what you will. A new Detroit Lions team and roster will emerge when the dust settles.

While the Detroit Lions are set to be bad (really bad) for the next two years. If Brad Holmes does his job, the Detroit Lions are going to be a good solid team. Like the one Holmes played a key role in with the Rams.

 

Detroit Tigers prospect Franklin Perez has lost velocity

When the Detroit Tigers traded star pitcher Justin Verlander to the Houston Astros in 2017, the Tigers received prospects (catcher) Jake Rogers, (outfielder) Daz Cameron and (pitcher) Franklin Perez. Perez was thought to be the centerpiece of the trade, which could stand to reason. At one point Perez was the Tigers top prospect. That was a while ago.

Franklin Perez, was a once can’t miss prospect. After his trade to the Detroit Tigers the injury bug hit Perez. 2018 and 2019 saw the young right handed pitcher miss large chunks of the seasons due to injuries.

Before injuries Perez’s fastball ranged from 92-92 mph. Yesterday, Franklin Perez took the mound for the Tigers and what proceeded next was nothing short of concerning. Perez’s velocity was way off.

LAKELAND, FL – FEBRUARY 12: Franklin Perez #58 of the Detroit Tigers looks on during Spring Training workouts at the TigerTown Facility on February 12, 2020 in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

In two innings of work, Perez threw four fastball at 85.8 mph, 86.3 mph, 88.9 mph and 88.3 mph. Nowhere close to his old 92-94 mph. What is puzzling is what has happened to the young pitcher. Perhaps, the past shoulder injury is to blame.

Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch was asked about the velocity issue and if he thought the velocity would return, Hinch’s reply was somewhat downtrodden “I don’t know, We’ll see.”

The fact that Franklin Perez has been healthy for a year now, is concerning. Last year at spring training Perez’s fastball hit 92 mph regularly. So the million dollar question is what happened.

“That’s one of the things we’re going to evaluate.” Hinch said after yesterdays spring game. Without his velocity Perez threw a steady diet of off speed pitches. Changeups, curveballs and sliders. But without a fastball a pitcher can only last so long.

DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 14: A detailed view of a Detroit Tigers baseball hat and glove sitting in the dugout during the game against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park on September 14, 2014 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Indians 6-4. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

The hope is that the Detroit Tigers medical staff and pitching coach Chris Fetter can help Perez find his velocity. It would greatly help both the pitcher and the Detroit Tigers.

Here’s hoping they can fix the issue.

Detroit Tigers owner Christopher Ilitch arrives at spring training and gives an update

Detroit Tigers owner Chris Ilitch made his yearly stop in Lakeland Florida, to visit the team and give an update to the day-to-day function and thought process going through a long rebuild. As usual when he spoke Ilitch’s words were honest and forthright. For the Detroit Tigers it is a pan they are sticking with, because it is proven.

As I have stated many, many times rebuilds are no fun. There is no way around it. I say that yet I actually enjoy watching rosters being built. Still for the average fan, rebuilds well suck.

DETROIT, MI – FEBRUARY 09: President and CEO of Ilitch Holdings Chris Ilitch answers questions during the NHL Winter Classic press conference at Comerica Park on February 9, 2012 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)

When the Detroit Tigers named Al Avila general manager, they knew full well this was going to be the direction the organization was trending towards. When Avila took over in 2015, the Tigers were a mess. An old team with bloated contracts and a pitiful minor league system. Avila got to work and now the Detroit Tigers boast one of the best minor league systems. The Tigers payroll came down as well.

Yesterday, Chris Ilitch spoked candidly and offered some insight. “When I look at what we’re doing, I think we’re on the right path,” Ilitch said. “Al has been clear from day one. He’s got a plan, and as an organization we’re executing that plan. It’s a plan that we know works. We’ve done it before, and it’s homegrown talent that is the foundation of championships. And so we continue down that path, and it’s exciting, because so many of our young prospects are now on the cusp.”

Ilitch went on to say, “The most difficult part is the patience. But I’m just like the fans I want to see our young players make the big leap. And it’s good to see so many prospects in camp today.”

LAKELAND, FL – FEBRUARY 13: Detroit Tigers Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Al Avila looks on during Spring Training workouts at the TigerTown Facility on February 13, 2020 in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

The key is to find (through the MLB Draft) a core group of players. Which was greatly helped by last years draft. Then fill in with big high priced free agents, which Ilitch said he will do after the said core group is identified.

I believe that the Detroit Tigers could begin to add bigger name free agents after the 2021 MLB season. As many top prospects will be and the verge of making the Tigers roster.

The Detroit Lions are moving on from wide receiver Kenny Golladay

It has been a source of constant conversation in Detroit. Fans and media all wondered aloud, if the Detroit Lions would apply the franchise tag to star wide receiver Kenny Golladay. Last week new Lions general manager Brad Holmes said “you’ll know very soon what out intentions are.” Now we do. The Detroit Lions are moving on from Golladay.

What was already going to be a lengthy rebuild could most likely be sited for the Detroit Lions choice to not tender the franchise tag to Kenny Golladay. At 27 years old, Golladay would be 30-31 by the time the Lions are ready to contend for division titles again.

DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 27: A Detroit Lions flag bearer runs onto the field with the Lions logo flag before the start of a regular season game between the New York Giants and the Detroit Lions on October 27, 2019 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

By not tendering the franchise tag it saves the Lions roughly $19 million for next season. That money can be spread out between other players to help the team. It has been reported that Golladay turned down a new contract that would have paid him $20 million per-season.

What was already evident became more so, when the news broke about the Lions plans. This is not only going to take time to reshape the roster, but now it seems as though there will be next to no hold-overs from the Bob Quinn era of Lions football. At least at the skilled position.

In my opinion this is the right move for the Detroit Lions. A rebuilding team should not pay one player $19 or so million, when there are holes up and down the roster that need to be fixed or at least patched until core players can be identified and drafted.

Minnesota Vikings v Detroit Lions

For Kenny Golladay, it gives him the chance to play elsewhere and teams will line up for his services. Golladay should not be out of work long. The question is should the Lions have placed the franchise tag on Golladay with the intention of trading him?

That is a knee jerk reaction. First a team interested in him would have to agree to take a one year deal at $19 million, while teams may prefer a longer contract and not pay a rather hefty one season lumpsum up front.

As for the Detroit Lions, it is refreshing to see a general manger with a plan of how he wants to construct his team. Through the draft.