I give Ilitch credit for going for it this year to start the year. The Tigers had a luxury tax payroll and even with these trades they are going to come in over 210 million. However

Posted on August 4, 2026 at 09:57:43 AM by Rich

I think he panicked a bit near the deadline.

You spend as much as he did expecting big crowds for a winning team (with big names in Skubal, Valdez, Verlander, Greene, Mize, Jansen). Attendance has been strong but not as strong as it would have been had they really been killing it. And there is the prospect of fading crowds if they fell out of the race. And maybe no playoff gate.

On the other hand, trimming 2 months of Skubal and Mize doesn't make that much of a difference so maybe he deferred to Harris on this one.

I find it hard to criticize Ilitch. The reason the team isn't leading the division is Harris' terrible bullpen moves, Harris and Hinch not bringing up Clark and others earlier, and injuries.

Back to the board

Thread:

Happy for the return Tigers got for Skubal, kinda sad they traded Mize - By DoctorD August 4, 2026 at 09:19:45 AM
- Agree with almost all of the comments from Rich and gbmcq so far but ... - By EricP August 4, 2026 at 09:38:38 AM
  - Some more thoughts in addition to my thoughts below - By Rich August 4, 2026 at 09:45:48 AM
    - I like Torres a lot. He is a professional hitter on a team with too many free swingers. Really glad they kept him. * - By Spirit August 4, 2026 at 10:09:24 AM
  - Middle is where they want to be. Spend enough to fill seats amd make $$$. Not a serious driven to win franchise * - By Spirit August 4, 2026 at 09:43:27 AM
    - Agreed. 2.5 games out of the wildcard, with the 3rd best run differential in the AL and a potentially devastating four-man rotation for the playoffs…and they throw in the towel for prospects. With a lockout incoming. Chris Illitch is a penny pinching nepo baby.* - By Ev August 4, 2026 at 09:51:41 AM
      - I give Ilitch credit for going for it this year to start the year. The Tigers had a luxury tax payroll and even with these trades they are going to come in over 210 million. However - By Rich August 4, 2026 at 09:57:43 AM
      - 2nd best run differential in AL.* - By Ev August 4, 2026 at 09:56:16 AM
    - the irony is they had one of the largest free agent signings of the offseason* - By DoctorD August 4, 2026 at 09:51:03 AM
- Totally agree, with 2 more comments - By Rich August 4, 2026 at 09:31:09 AM
  - Verlander has likely thrown his last meaningful pitch in the majors. Maybe he gets a mercy start and an inning before the season ends. * - By django August 4, 2026 at 09:37:45 AM
    - We need Verlander to have a Billy Chapel moment* - By Asquared August 4, 2026 at 09:41:02 AM
      - On the mound, with a table saw or at DTW chasing down Kate?* - By django August 4, 2026 at 09:48:49 AM
    - Probably. That's why I said "Jobe/Verlander". I don't want to forget him b/c it is never over until it is over - By Rich August 4, 2026 at 09:39:48 AM
- Mize wasn't coming back next year, so not shocked on the trade, and I LOVE Kash Mayfield. Also think they want the rotation spots to bring Jobe and Ryan up this year.* - By gbmcq August 4, 2026 at 09:28:53 AM
  - counting on Jobe to be anything this year would not be wise - By DoctorD August 4, 2026 at 09:34:44 AM
    - They aren't counting on him to be anything this year, but they want him to pitch to be better positioned for next season. Even if this team made the playoffs, they weren't doing anything. They aren't in playoff push.* - By gbmcq August 4, 2026 at 09:45:43 AM
      - Who is better than the Tigers in the AL? Truly better. There is only one team: Tampa.... - By Rich August 4, 2026 at 09:49:10 AM
        
        They are 4th in the division with a losing record. The only reason they are "in it" is because the AL is trash. They've lost, what 18 games after having a lead in the 7th? I don't see the point of limping a bad team into the playoffs.* - By gbmcq August 4, 2026 at 09:51:23 AM
        
        insanely unlucky team this far - By DoctorD August 4, 2026 at 12:09:50 PM
        
        They are not a bad team. They are a good team with a lot of close losses and bad injury luck. They are on a 102 win pace since May 31* - By Rich August 4, 2026 at 09:59:26 AM
      - playoffs are so random they would have as good a shot as any team in the AL* - By DoctorD August 4, 2026 at 09:48:58 AM
    - Mostly agree. Maybe he could be the 5th starter and give them 5 innings on those days. I think he could do that - By Rich August 4, 2026 at 09:40:57 AM
- Welcome back* - By BBA August 4, 2026 at 09:21:31 AM

The Victors

I give Ilitch credit for going for it this year to start the year. The Tigers had a luxury tax payroll and even with these trades they are going to come in over 210 million. However