Tigers exec talks blueprint for the future
This story was excerpted from Jason Beck’s Tigers Beat e-newsletter. To learn the complete e-newsletter, click on right here. And subscribe to get it repeatedly in your inbox.
ST. PETERSBURG — The Tigers have introduced up a number of younger gamers over the previous couple seasons, with others on the best way. Some, like heart fielder Riley Greene, first baseman Spencer Torkelson and starter Tarik Skubal, are probably essential to the membership’s short- and long-term fortunes.
In different cities the place golf equipment are constructing round younger gamers, these conditions have offered the impetus for long-term contracts which have ensured followers can observe these gamers’ progressions and watch them develop, hopefully into stars. Look no additional than Cleveland, the place Andrés Giménez simply signed a seven-year extension earlier than he was even eligible for arbitration.
Could that be a blueprint the Tigers look to observe? It’s a query we’ve requested earlier than, however new president of baseball operations Scott Harris isn’t ruling it out, even when it doesn’t sound like something is imminent.
“We want to build an organization that players want to play for, that players want to be here for a long time and be Tigers for a long time,” Harris stated final week on the eve of Opening Day. “We must do our half to create that group, and we’ve to have gamers which are, you understand, type of deserving of the extensions. It’s a extremely tough steadiness, however we’re all the time open to extending gamers that wish to be in Detroit for a very long time — and we’re going to attempt to be aggressive with that after we establish worthy candidates transferring ahead.
“It’s undoubtedly one thing that has crossed our minds, however there was nothing actionable to this point.”
That openness logically follows his philosophy since his arrival relating to opening alternatives for younger gamers to return up and show themselves within the Major Leagues. This mindset seemingly prevailed with Ryan Kreidler and Kerry Carpenter incomes Opening Day roster spots after late-season auditions final yr, beating out gamers with extra expertise.
“We’re excited to see [Kreidler] get to work,” Harris stated. “We think he has a chance to take that next step, and we’re going to certainly build the systems around him to help him.”
Part of constructing the system round gamers includes the expanded teaching employees, together with three hitting coaches and three pitching coaches. Part, too, features a renovated clubhouse that gamers and coaches will see in particular person for the primary time at Thursday’s house opener.
“We spent a lot of time and energy on elevating the player experience this offseason,” Harris stated. “We’re lucky to have an proprietor in Chris [Illitch] who’s dedicated to investing within the gamers, the techniques and the infrastructure that may assist us get this proper. He’s executed quite a bit that you understand about — and quite a bit that you just don’t know — to enhance the way it seems to be and feels to be a Tiger.
“I’m really excited for the players to get back to Detroit and see all of this stuff firsthand. I’m also very excited to be responsive to further changes that they need to get the very best out of them. We want Detroit to be a place that players want to come play and that they want to stay in for a long time, and I’m really excited to unveil a lot of those new changes when we get back.”
Other highlights from Harris’ session at Tropicana Field with beat writers and broadcasters:
