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The Detroit Tigers rebuild presses onward, but 2021 offers some telling goals

In the last four seasons the Detroit Tigers are 198-345 with a .364 winning percentage. The Tigers have finished in last place three of the four seasons. The 2021 MLB season which kicks off today, finds the Tigers in no better position to escape the bottom or near bottom again. But it is not all bad. The Tigers hired A.J. Hinch to be manager and a team does not make a move like that unless they feel they are close to being competitive.

This season for the Detroit Tigers is all about results. Not wins and losses (sorry Tiger fans.) It is about getting young players to take the next step. Getting young pitchers Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal involved from the start are signs the Tigers are ready to take the next step.

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)

In order for the Detroit Tigers to get results as well as begin to have success the pitching must be established. The Tigers have plenty of top pitching prospects, which is good and all, but those players must begin to established themselves in order for the team to feel comfortable about adding free agents at seasons end.

Winning brings credibility, that is so true. It is getting to the winning that can be tricky. That is where World Series winning manager A.J. Hinch comes into play. Since being named manager Hinch has been consistent is saying he and his coaching staff want and need to breed a winning culture.

Hinch has set the World Series as the goal. Even though the Tigers will not compete for a championship this season. The current roster simply is not playoff worthy. That is why Hinch was brought in for the long term.

LAKELAND, FL – FEBRUARY 17: Matt Manning #83 of the Detroit Tigers pitches during Spring Training workouts at the TigerTown Facility on February 17, 2020 in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

But, a successful 2021 season means that players are attending to every detail. That young pitchers begin to emerge and live up to draft and scouting reports.

If that happens then the Detroit Tigers will be closer to the end of a long rebuild.

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Heading to Comerica Park for a Detroit Tigers home game, here are the guidelines

553 days. To put it another way, more than 18 months have past since any fans had tickets scanned and entered Comerica Park for a Detroit Tigers home game due to COVID-19. Now to start the 2021 MLB season exactly 8,200 fans will be allowed to attend. Some things will remain while other things will not be allowed, not yet anyway. Let’s take a closer look.

Opening day in Detroit is special. As a child I would routinely come up with a mystery headache or upset stomach on opening day so that my Mom would either call me in to school or pull me out of school. After all everyone knows baseball, opening day baseball in Detroit is better medicine than anything over the counter.

DETROIT, MI – APRIL 17: A detailed view of the Comerica Park Ferris Wheel during the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park on April 17, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the White Sox 2-1. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

As Detroit Tigers will have fans in the stands this season, the 8,200 is expected to rise as the season moves along. Some things that fans are accustom to will remain, some will not at this time.

What’s new at Comerica Park? For starters wearing masks, sitting space apart, social distancing throughout the ballpark, cashless payments and filling out gameday wellness surveys. This is where we are at this time. For good reason.

Yet, some “normalcy” is also going to be in effect. Fans can still enjoy getting a hot dog, sausage, peanuts, nachos and, Little Caesars pizza. Detroit Tigers mascot “Paws” will still be around the ball park and up to his usual antics. Word is the Easter Bunny will make an appearance this weekend as well. Oh, and Friday night fireworks after the game? They are still going to take place.

DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 17: A merry-go-round in the stadium prior to Game Five of the American League Championship Series between the Detroit Tigers and the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park on October 17, 2013 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Unfortunately, kid favorites the carousel, Ferris wheel and face painting will not be open. It is all to ensure families and fans are safe. As noted, MLB expects more fans will be able to attend games as the season moves along.

I plan to attend Detroit Tigers games this season to take in the final stages of the long rebuild. But, mostly because I could not last season. Even though the Tigers will not be very good this season, they will be again very soon.

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Detroit Red Wings Filip Zadina is settling in at the NHL level

Due to COVID-19 the NHL 2020-21 season is only 56 games. In games played thus far Detroit Red Wings forward Filip Zadina has shown growth in his overall game. While his production is up and Zadina is now living closer to his pre draft status, the Red Wings believe even better days are ahead for the young  Czech Republic product.

This is the first season that the Detroit Red Wings have given Filip Zadina a chance to stick full-time with the team. Zadina has taken the opportunity to take full advantage of the Red Wings trust.

MONTREAL, QC – MARCH 12: Detroit Red Wings right wing Filip Zadina (11) skates while looking towards his right during the Detroit Red Wings versus the Montreal Canadiens game on March 12, 2019, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

While Zadina is still rounding his game into a top-six forward, he has given the Red Wings a good look at just what they have in a player who fell them three years ago. While Zadina’s goals are not eye-popping his total game is rounding out.

In 26 games played, the Red Wings have seen Filip Zadina score three goals with nine assists for 12 total points. nearly a half a point per-game. Zadina was touted as a goal scorer pre-draft. While the Red Wings believe goals will come his overall game has grown.

Filip Zadina has gotten much better in the defensive end of the ice. His forechecking has improved and the young forward is not as hesitant to jump into the mix on the boards as he was last season. Zadina has also improved on his passing.

DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 31: Antti Suomela #40 of the San Jose Sharks battles for position on the face off with Filip Zadina #11 of the Detroit Red Wings during an NHL game at Little Caesars Arena on December 31, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. The Wings defeated the Sharks 2-0. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)

Again, While the goals stand at just three on the season, Zadina has shown growth in other areas and has not been a liability when out on the ice. For a pure goal scorer such as Zadina the goals will come.

As for any young player in his first full season in the NHL, there is a lot to take in and responsibility to learn. Filip Zadina did not forget how to score goals. It is more likely that has been put on the back shelf while he learns other aspects of the NHL game.

Filip Zadina has shown the Detroit Red Wings enough for the organization to be excited about.

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Detroit Tigers pitcher Casey Mize pitched out of a funk and onto the Tigers roster

It was a rough spring training for one of the Detroit Tigers top prospects, pitcher Casey Mize. Mize was hit hard almost all spring. While Mize was the one throwing the ball he was also doing what his manager and coach’s asked him to do. Work on his release and work on throwing a rising fastball, while on-the-job. The results were not always pretty. But with one final chance to make the opening day roster Mize came through.

I am of the opinion it would have done little to no good to send pitcher Casey Mize to Triple-a Toledo. Sure Mize could have had a few starts with the Mud Hens and perhaps honed his pitches a bit more. However, Mize is better served pitching in Detroit and figuring things out at the major league level.

LAKELAND, FL – FEBRUARY 27: Casey Mize (12) of the Tigers flips the baseball to himself during the Detroit Tigers spring training workout on February 27, 2021 at Tigertown in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

I believe, Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch and pitching coach Chris Fetter wanted to wait until the bitter end before deciding where to place Casey Mize. That is why he was given another opportunity to pitch Thursday night. Most young prospects would feel the pressure and perhaps Mize did, he also threw his best game of the spring.

In four innings of work Thursday night Casey Mize struck out 9 batters. All of his pitched found the strike zone including one that had eluded him well almost all spring, the rising fastball.

A.J. Hinch said in his second to last start there was little doubt Mize could get MLB batters out. But that Mize needed to be more consistent in the strike zone. Thursday night Mize did just that.

LAKELAND, FLORIDA – MARCH 19: Casey Mize #12 of the Detroit Tigers looks on prior to the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Detroit Tigers during a spring training game at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on March 19, 2021 in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

In my opinion this is not only the right move for the Tigers organization to make, but also for Mize and pitching coach Chris Fetter. By earning a roster spot A.J. Hinch is in effect saying that he trusts player and coach to make sure development is still moving forward.

Tarik Skubal, another Detroit Tigers top prospects made the starting pitching rotation earlier in the week. Now with Mize earning a spot this can do nothing but help the Tigers ongoing rebuild speed up.

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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.

 

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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.

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

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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.