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Luke Jaconis: At least have an inflight movie, for God's sakes.
Alex Freeman: The inflight movie is the film major league in which Chris Illich says, that mean owner lady's got a good idea.
Luke Jaconis: She's onto something. She's on to something. She ain't wrong. She ain't wrong. I liked the rant. Ranting is fund also makes hunting the soul.
Alex Freeman: Detroit is to be one of the best sports best. Surely hobby can't be as bad m this year as he was last year. Surely that can't be the case.
Luke Jaconis: One of the worst offenses, not the worst offense like in the modern era of baseball. Just absolutely atrocious. He is a piece of the puzzle. He is not the entire puzzle.
Alex Freeman: Right.
Luke Jaconis: He is a puzzle piece, but he is not the entire puzzle.
Alex Freeman: This is the Michigan and Trumble podcast with your hosts, Alex S. Freeman and Luke Jaconis It's true, Luke, you have you, have you've booked the show? It's me. Yeah. It's taken four seasons. You're just now realizing you're on the show? Hello, everybody, I'm Alex Freeman. This is the Michigan In Trouble podcast, joined as always by Luke Jaconis, who sometimes forgets that, he's on the show. The one and only Luke Jaconis. Luke, how's it going?
Luke Jaconis: What a week, what a time, what a year, what a millennium. Grab a cold beer, have some friends, have some apple pie. Welcome to the Michigan In Trouble podcast.
Alex Freeman: to our listeners in Michigan, I hope you're not, too covered in snow at the moment as a, massive winter storm moves across the northern part of the country. It was just cold for me here in New York. Luke, make us all mad at you. How was the weather in Florida today?
Luke Jaconis: well, today it said the high was 87. I wouldn't know that because I was stuck inside working all day, but I can report that right now it's 645 ish when we're recording this on Thursday, February 23. It is 78 degrees outside in Naples, Florida.
Alex Freeman: Casual 78 degrees.
Luke Jaconis: Haven't worn a winter coat in quite some time. Have been busted out the boots. Haven't seen snow now in, probably over two years, I think. It snowed a little bit slurry when I was back home in November for a long weekend, but nothing that was that insane. yeah, sorry to all those northerners, but man, I don't miss that.
Alex Freeman: I guess that's why they play spring training in places like Arizona and Florida and not in Michigan. They don't come to Michigan for spring training.
Luke Jaconis: Yeah, I, think Lansing in February and March might not be the most appealing thing to major, league baseball teams, although the Tigers pretty much play in that weather for most of April, and a good chunk, if not all of May to some seasons. It's true, you had a great segue that you teed me up for there. Spring training. It's underway. Great stuff. Pictures and catchers are here. The boys are back. We've got promo pics happening. They're putting them all over Twitter and Instagram and social media. Spring training games start this weekend, or I guess when this drops on Monday, they'll already begun this past weekend. So that's exciting. Speaking of spring training games, I will be in attendance to the Sunday, March 5 game up in Florida, fort Myers.
Alex Freeman: Excuse me.
Luke Jaconis: The Tigers quins. Very excited. Hammond Stadium, I believe it is. Second game I've seen there in the last year. Excited to see the Tigers play. and even if they lose, it won't be that mad because the games don't mean anything at spring training. But, actually this is, I think, if I'm not mistaken, the first time I've ever seen the Tigers play a spring training game. So I've got that exciting.
Alex Freeman: Yeah. I've never done major League Baseball, spring training. I said that I've done Minor League Baseball spring training, but I've just never been to a spring training game. so I'm excited to hear about your experience.
Luke Jaconis: Yeah, I know last year I did two or three games. I did the Braves and the Phillies game. That was the game I met Dombrowski. And then, twins rays. that was fun, too. But, yeah, they're just fun. More low key. All the starters usually out by like the fourth or the fifth inning, depending on especially what time of year going. So I think the thing that sucks for me, though, is when I go next Sunday, I'm going as an early birthday gift for myself. Very exciting stuff.
Alex Freeman: Lovely.
Luke Jaconis: I think Miggy, erod, scope and Hobby all won't be playing because there'll be, I believe, World Baseball Classic bound by that point. So, that's kind of a bummer. But I'm sure we'll get to see some of the other young guys and that'll be exciting.
Alex Freeman: Yeah. Are you looking forward to the World Baseball Classic? Are you planning to watch? Watch what's? Your vibe there.
Luke Jaconis: I will watch. And actually, I don't even know what tickets are, but I should look it's right at Loan ah, Depot Stadium in Miami where the Marlins are at, if I'm not mistaken. So, I definitely should consider going to see a game. But will I? Probably. I like the World Baseball classic. I think it's going to be a pretty exciting event. I think it's the first time they've done it like, what? How many years has it been? Like four or five? I know, derailed it and everything. It's been a hot minute. But yeah, I'll watch it. I don't watch it super intently. I have to dedicate all my baseball watching time for the next six months to Detroit Tigers. So I kind of like this time of year because it's like baseball is on. If you want to watch it great. And I'm getting exciting for getting excited for it. But then once the games actually start regular season. It's like, all right, now I got to focus in. Got some homework to do for the next five to six months even. though it might be very painful at times, it's homework nonetheless. And then again, has homework ever not been painful? Come on, teachers. What's it all about?
Alex Freeman: I have also purchased my first Yankees tickets for the year. I will be at Yankees, Phillies on April 5.
Luke Jaconis: Nice.
Alex Freeman: Which will be a nice, very nice kick off the season at, Yankees Stadium. Should be a good game. Two pretty solid squads.
Luke Jaconis: Yeah, definitely. You could probably see some sparks fly offensively there for sure. I still got to think about Tigers, Rays, at the end of March or early April because it's, opening weekend. So definitely may try to sneak up to, tropicana one of those afternoons or one of those evenings and catch games since I know I'm going to the I have a couple of different chances this year because I think also the Tigers are back in town in Miami at the end of July. So it's like, if I don't catch them in April, I'll probably catch one of those series, one of those games in July. Then obviously, we have our tickets for, the final home game of the year. So I'm already kind of like, all right, I'm going to see them at least a couple of times. And then I would love to cross another stadium off the list. I don't know if I'll be able to do that this year. But, here's hoping. We'll see what happens.
Alex Freeman: We should talk, Luke, because I've been considering looking at when and if the Tigers either go to Boston or Philly. I would love to do Boston. Maybe hop in a car and head over there.
Luke Jaconis: Boston would be sick, man.
Alex Freeman: Chat offline about maybe no, let's plan it now with everybody. Get the flights up, get the figure it out.
Luke Jaconis: If you're listening, if you're listening, you're invited to set up Blake. Come on. Come on. We're going to Boston. You heard it here first.
Alex Freeman: Exactly. It'll be a great time. We'll have a good time. We'll get in a fight probably because it's Boston. all right, Luke. spring, training is underway. Stuff to talk about. But obviously, we're going to take the first stop, of this episode is going to be at a Luke rant.
Luke Jaconis: Oh, my god.
Alex Freeman: I just want everybody to know the look on Luke's face is that he's actively thinking about what to rant about right now. Right. That's why we gave him 30 seconds of intro music so that he could figure out his rants.
Luke Jaconis: The intro music is long. This is like I'm watching a Scorsese movie. It won't end. I mean, it's good, but it just won't end. I'm still watching the Irishman. I know. Okay, what am I going to rant about this week? There's more about to start it again. I was like, I don't need that much time. Got me some slack. I've been doing this for a couple of seasons. look what sort of rant about this week? I guess I'll just rant about the fact that it's been a week for me and that's been life. And that's how it goes sometimes. No, let's keep it baseball related. I think the one thing I would rant about this week is something you and I briefly discussed prior to the show starting, and it's that the Ghost Runner is here to stay. I'm not excited about this based off everything I'm engaging on. Social media, Twitter, Instagram, et cetera, the Facebook, all the reddit. I don't ever go on reddit, so I don't know why I threw that one into the equation. But anyways, no one really likes to ghost Runner. I get why it was a thing during the height of COVID but I just think it is more than overstayed it's. Welcome. It's annoying. It's a nuisance. It just pops up time and time again. It is the Kimmy Gibbler of Major League Baseball. And that is just absolutely terrible. yeah. I know you and I have had some spirited debates about this in the past and I think we've always although they've been spirited at times, you just try to get me to look at it more from the analytical approach, which I appreciate and understand. I do know we're both on the same page of like, we don't like the rule. Why is the rule here? And it just feels like we're three years, three seasons now, entering past the COVID season. It's time to move on. And I always say, I know they're trying to find ways to shorten the game and make the game more appetizing. Just people beyond the generic fan that's going to tune in every game. But it's one of those things to me, I always say. I feel like after a while, it starts to compromise the integrity of the game. And I've always said this, or even to kind of be a, bit negotiable. I'm fine. If they don't want games going 1516, 1718 innings of extra innings, I get that. But let's keep it at like we've always said, let them play extra innings baseball through eleven, and then if they get to the 12th and they're still deadlocked at a tie, then put the runner on second. So not a huge rant, no F bombs. Not even going to have to get the Bleep button out. But I will just say I think it's annoying, I think it's stupid, and I'm bummed that is here to stay now forever. And I wish they would just at least reconsider to do some sort of change to it and let them play a couple innings of regular extra inning baseball. But, it seems like that's not happening now or ever again, at least as it stands currently. So that's what I got.
Alex Freeman: Yeah, I mean, I think that encapsulated it really nicely. Luke, kind of what I would probably venture to say, the official editorial stance of the show is that the Ghost Hunter sucks. if we have to have it, it should not come into play until after the 11th or 12th inning, because that's obviously the point where you need to end the game. I would also, like I don't know, in that scenario, I would rather see us go to something that is like the stupid betman point in hockey where you get into extra innings and we're going to split the points. We do a point system as opposed to a win loss system. And we kind of go into there because at that point, if you don't score in the top of the inning, you lose. unless the other team is just that inept at hitting, which, sometimes the Detroit Tigers are. So I guess I would rather it's a system that favors Detroit. Ah Tigers team that would be able to salvage some points in that scenario.
Luke Jaconis: I wish there was an idea that they could come up with that. Like, okay, we're going to play three regular innings of extra inning baseball. No ghost run or anything like that. If you get to the 12th or whatever and there's still a tie game, if they could find, like, what is the equivalent of baseball as hockey has their shootout, you can't really do a Home Run Derby, although I think that'd be kind of cool.
Alex Freeman: They've done it on a minute before. They've done a couple of minor league All Star games. They put the rule in effect that if it gets to, it'd be kind of cool. Twelve or 15 and, home Run Derby.
Luke Jaconis: Yeah, I kind of like that. But I guess the question is, then, how does that work? Like, choosing people? Because you look at a team like the Yankees or team like you mentioned, like the Phillies, whatever, just like, they've got all this depth of talent and power hitters. The braves come to mind. There's a lot of great teams out there with a lot of heavy duty power hitters where they can pick four or five guys, whereas the tires, it's like, all right, Javi, grab the bat. Here we go. This is what you're kind of made for. with all due respect to some of the other guys, I don't know if you want them taking your Home Run Derby swings, maybe Miguel Cabrera four or five years ago, but not currently. So I think it's something kind of it's a fanciful dream, but I don't ever really see that. Rob Manfred doesn't seem like he would want to have fun like that. So he's already, in my opinion, kind of killing some of the fun of baseball, which is just the idea of extra innings as it was. It was always at any moment you could win. And I understand the argument. Well, at any moment, if there's a runner on second, a basic can win the game. But I get that side of it. But I feel like it kind of compromised, like, I would say, the integrity of the game and how it's supposed to play. And I do feel like it kind of throws a wrench into strategy. Those from innings one through nine. Then all of a sudden you have to kind of throw out the playbook and think a new strategy with a runner and your bullpen and all that stuff. But, I don't know. I just wish it wasn't here anymore. We've got rid of other things too, right? So why is this the one thing that has to stick around?
Alex Freeman: Yeah, that was a fairly tame rant, Luke.
Luke Jaconis: I'm just so tired. Life is tiring sometimes in no, I.
Alex Freeman: Think,
Luke Jaconis: I'm trying, like I said, to be more restrained. I'm trying to think more clear and level headed. I got to save these rants until we get into the actual season. It doesn't have to be a Tigers rant. This really wasn't Tigers related. It was just kind of a rant about major league baseball in general. But, let me go to the spring training game next week and see what their prices are in concessions. And then tune into that following week's episode. Because that might be a great rant depending on how much concessions are at a spring training game. It's something I'm very passionate about. Just concessions in general.
Alex Freeman: Playing you off.
Luke Jaconis: I finally will get heated up.
Alex Freeman: But you thank the Academy. Please exit the stage now.
Luke Jaconis: That will be enough.
Alex Freeman: That'll be enough. No, that's going to bring us into, what we are soft calling our vibe check of the show. kind of the meat and potatoes of the whole thing. obviously spring training got underway. we've got the full squad. Full squad practices have started. we'll have had the first games by the time this episode drops. so the two stories I'm bringing to us, Luke here, and we can get into obviously other things. But to start things out, both Chris Ilitch and Scott Harris have talked to the media, this week. Ilitch, didn't say too much to the media. It was just kind of like around and didn't have any formal statements. But Scott, Harris did actually, chat with them. and I'm going to read you the quote here of Scott. Harris when asked about his expectations for the 2023 season. our goal for this year is to play competitive baseball as deep into the season as we possibly can. Coming off 96 losses, there are no shortcuts. Back to contention. It starts with putting together a team in an environment that can play competitive baseball every day. We are going to play competitive baseball as deep into the season as we can. That's going to be our goal. We're going to start there, and then we can build on that. Luke, what are your immediate reactions to as deep into the season as we possibly can?
Luke Jaconis: Well, I think that's a fair goal when you're coming off almost 100 lost season, and when you assess the roster as it currently is. It's not the worst statement I've ever read, but I just go back to the thing of, when you're playing any type of professional sport, when you're playing any professionals, any sport in general, whether you're an amateur, a pro, whatever it might be. Whether you're in the Super Bowl or playing stick ball with your friends in the cul de sac. A little woofle ball, perhaps your goal is to win and to win the whole thing. So I get being competitive and staying in as many games as you think you possibly can for as long as you possibly can. But at the end of the day, wins matter, losses matter. So I don't care if this team is competitive through 80 innings, but in the 9th inning, every single game, they choke it up. Those are still losses. And that's unacceptable because this team has had a lot of losses over the last eight years. So would I have liked him to go out and say, even if he doesn't believe it, just to kind of give the fan base a piece of mind, like, hey, our goal is to go out there and win a World Series, not to play as much competitive baseball for as long as we possibly can? Yes, I would have to. That does kind of seem like a slam dunk when you're the new guy, but I guess I'll give him a little bit of credit. You don't want to set false hope, false expectations. But I think all of us who can read the roster and can see where this team is at and the lack of moves this off season, we know what's in store. Now it's just a matter of how miserable is it going to be? We kind of talked about last week where we think this team is, and from what I keep reading all over Twitter and his projections are coming out for the season, a lot of people are thinking it's, going to be anywhere from, like, a 60, eight to 73 win year for the Tigers, which I think we both were kind of like, yeah, that seems more or less reasonable. Maybe a little bit better than last year. Not as good as 2021. Still not finishing 500, and just not even getting close to any type of playoff, clinching, spot. So I don't love his comments. I don't hate his comments. I'm kind of mundane. Boy, what's going on with me? I used to be so angry, so animated and heated. I guess I'm going to be 28 in a couple of weeks, maybe I'm starting to mature a little bit. Who knows? But they're fluff comments. They're fluff comments to me. honestly, I'd rather him make the comments than Chris Hillis, because I'm convinced Chris Hillis doesn't even know spring training has started. That's how clueless that moron is. But, yeah, they're fluff comments for me. Scott knows where we're at. I think, the bulk of us know we're at now it's just a question of how bad is it going to be or are we going to be pleasantly surprised? I will say this from the things I haven't kind of seen on, the social medias and stuff, a lot of people are big on the bounce back season. Especially. The one guy I think people are expecting a lot of bounce back from is Austin Meadows. I know he's made some comments coming, following, his season last year. He struggled a lot with his mental health and other injuries as well. So, like I said on last week's show, Austin Meadows, he's one of those three or four or five guys. I think if he can bounce back and play to the level like we know he's capable of, then the season does become a little more fun, then it becomes a little bit more intriguing. But as it stands now, it is kind of just a big question mark of who knows what the hell is going to happen? All I know is that I don't think is going to be particularly pretty.
Alex Freeman: Yeah, I mean, it is definitely one of those, the spot that the team is in. And we talked about this a little bit on the last episode. that if you think about, if Riley Green continues to progress, if we consider this like a redo of torquelson's rookie year, if he is that rookie that we thought he should have been last year, obviously was not actually quite ready for prime time last year. Hopefully now, if he is, that's obviously a significant improvement, over where he was last year. if Javi Baez is not the worst defensive shortstop in the league, that in itself will be a significant improvement. And if, Hobby's Bat, comes a little bit closer to where we've seen it in his career than it was last year, that's also, actually a fairly significant improvement on the roster. And then also, obviously, Austin Meadows, if he's back to be the guy that he could be, and certainly I think there's great potential for that. Suddenly that's, like, it's an intriguing lineup that can and does feel competitive on a day to day basis. similarly, if Scope, gets back to where he was in 2021, and obviously this feels like the same kind of thing we keep saying year after year. Like, oh, well, if this guy was good at baseball, we'd have a pretty good baseball team. but those guys are all guys that had with Riley Green being the exception. had kind of career bad years.
Luke Jaconis: Obviously.
Alex Freeman: Torkelson's career is one year old.
Luke Jaconis: yeah, but do only a second year.
Alex Freeman: Yeah. Like, a lot of guys that were in a bad position now have new hitting coaches working, with them. Feels like, as we saw with Robbie Grossman, who was like an adjustment away from being the hitter we needed him to be, after he went to Atlanta, that I think we could potentially see an offense that is, significantly more potent than it was last year, which obviously is not a very high bar to clear. Yeah.
Luke Jaconis: I don't want to rehash last week's show, but a lot relies on the bounce back. And there are just so many guys that either a, were very inexperienced last year, either their first or second years in the league, guys who had historically bad years, whether it was on offense or defense, guys who battled injuries, whether it was offensively or our pitchers, just like it was what it was. I think that I'm very curious to see the one I am most excited to see right now, I think in terms of bounce back is Austin Meadows. I think he has the capability to really be the guy that we thought he was going to be coming over from Tampa, Cuba. Do. I think this is really his make or break here? Had a really fun rookie season. Pretty brutal second season sophomore slump. Let's see how he handles this chair. And Scope, for all the jokes that Miguel Cabrera comes in a camp in the best shape of his life, jonathan Scope literally did. He looks great. Looks like he slimmed down a bunch. Hopefully it's going to be able to help him move a little bit quicker. And obviously, if he can get it together offensively, kind of like he had it in 2021, that's only going to help. So I say this every year and I guess here we are, the second episode of the season. I'm saying it already. I don't root for these guys to fail. I know sometimes my jokes and my bits and my sarcasm, especially if you're following us on Twitter mid season. It may seem that way, but I really don't want to see these guys fail. I want to see them play well. I want to see them win. For the love of God. I think the Tigers are long overdue for a World Series championship. Coming up on what now? Is it almost 40 years next year? 44 84. I know it's time. We're due. Whether the team is due, the fans are the city, everyone's due. It's just it's time. So I hope it happens. Corkelson will be really interesting for me to watch this season as well. see what kind of adjustments he has made coming from his rookie season to this year. In my mind, if these guys play to even just, like, half the potential I think they're capable of, then the season does become a little bit more fun. And maybe it won't be like, oh my God, that's going to be brutal. We're going to be out of it by Memorial Day. But just coming off such lows and woes of last year, it's hard not to think. Pessimistically and then you look at that April schedule like we talked about last week, and it's not pretty. And then you think back to how the Tigers have played the last two Aprils. That's not pretty. So as quickly as I can be like, all right, maybe this won't be too bad, then reality sets and I go, oh boy, this is going to be bad.
Alex Freeman: Yeah, I mean, it is one of those situations where I'm almost like, okay, if we come out of April better than 350 on the winning percentage, that feels great. and I kind of hate to be in that position as a fan, but that's where the team is at. and that's kind of where the bar needs to be set. One of the other things that Harris said that was interesting, because we talked at length last week, we joked a lot about it. how the Tigers don't have a third baseman, and talking about the position players side of free agency, where the Tigers signed no position players to major league contracts. Did, some trade for some guys, but, Harris, said, we feel like we attacked that issue this offseason, how it all plays out. We have to wait until spring training tells us, which obviously we can agree on. But, how do you feel about the characterization that they attacked that issue this offseason?
Luke Jaconis: they didn't. They went out and signed a couple of guys, some minor league deals and some invites to spring training. They technically went out and got guys that could potentially play the position, but no one that's a long term and legitimate solution.
Luke Jaconis: That'S smoke that's smoke and mirrors from Scott Harris on that one. I'm sorry. If you're telling me Tyler Nevin is the long term solution, or Andy Ibanyz or whoever, cesar Has Hernandez, like any of these guys who might make the team out of camp and throw them at third or whatever, it's not a viable long term option. maybe an option for half the season this year, but not for many years to come. I guess we could see what Nick Maytone does, maybe Cryler figures it out. We'll see. But they didn't bring in anybody a third. Not that the third base free agent class was super deep to begin with, but I guess some aspect would you feel better, though, if the Tiger went out? The Tiger went out, made Evan Longoria, who's like late thirty s, and very much at. The tail end of his career, like a one year deal, or bringing a guy like a Justin Turner or even resigning candelario. It's one of those things. I honestly think just for morale, it might be the wrong way to look at it, but yeah, I maybe wouldn't mind Justin Turner along the corridor, just like, hey, it's kind of cool, I got longoria third wrapping up his career. Miggy is wrapping up his career. But then I kind of checked myself, what I said a couple of minutes ago. If you bring in a guy like that, are you trying to win as many games possible? Or is that just kind of like, hey, this is just kind of a filler, this is an innings eater equivalent in terms of bringing in a position player?
Alex Freeman: Yeah, I think a lot of these comments are, saying we're in a rebuilding phase without saying we're rebuilding. which I do appreciate that he hasn't said those words, that he is still speaking the term of like, we're trying to be as competitive as possible. This does take time. I agree with that, that it is just frustrating as a fan base because obviously we were expecting to be competing for a World Series to close out Mikal Cabrera's career. that was kind of what we were led to believe. The bill of goods we were sold, that that was going to be where this team was in these years. That Ilich was ready to open up his checkbook to make it happen, that all of those things, would be coming together now. Maybe Ilitch is and will be ready to open up his checkbook two years from now when this has played out further and the Miguel Cabrera contract is off the books. but I don't trust that in the least.
Luke Jaconis: Yeah, one way to look at this, too. For what it's worth, I'm not trying to stick up for Chris because I can't stand the man, but what has.
Alex Freeman: Happened to you, Luke?
Luke Jaconis: I know I'm not taking up for Chris. I'm just thinking maybe somewhat little positively, for what it's worth. Think about where the tires were when we entered into the 2021 season. Their biggest signing that offseason was bringing on AJ. Hinch to be the new manager of the club once guardy retired. But from a position player move, I can't really think of anything that jumped out, like, whoa, they went out and got that guy. That was year they signed Robbie Gross into the two year deal. They signed Jose Irania. I think they brought Scope back, on the one year deal. That was when they brought in, I think, Nomar Mazara and, Wilson, Ramos the catcher. None of those moves were earth shattering by any means. And look how that season turned out. It was without a doubt the most fun season of Tigers baseball in the last seven or eight years. Still didn't finish 500. But I mean, still, that was a pretty fun summer in Detroit and built lots of expectations heading into 2022. And then obviously, we know what happened from there. So maybe kind of like what I said last week's show going in with lower expectations, thinking that this is going to be a dumpster fire. and then maybe it surprisingly is not. But I feel like in 2021, there was just so many career best from guys we didn't expect. The Robbie Grossman's, the Jonathan Scopes, Eric Host came out of nowhere. Kilbadou was like a rookie phenom overnight for those first couple of weeks of the season. I don't know. I hope something like that happens again this year. but just kind of like the Tigers catch lightning in a bottle twice in a couple of seasons. I don't know. I don't think they can. But they did say, I read an article the last time the Tigers had fun, which was 2021, austin Rogers were platooning behind the plate. And it seems to be right now, from all indications, unless something crazy happens in spring training, that's going to be the platoon heading into this season as well. So, maybe that's a good omen. Jake Rogers, he has that stashback again. So what can you do?
Alex Freeman: Speaking of, Ilitch, that'll segue us nicely into kind of this other news piece, ilitch unveiled to the team a couple of things about changing the player experience. to be a Detroit Tiger includes a new team plane. no date yet on when the plane will actually be ready for use. but they're getting a new plane. they're revamping the clubhouse at Comerica Park. And then obviously there are these stadium changes being made to Comerica Park that we talked about last week. and again, not to defend Chris before, we started recording the show, I was like, I don't need to hear from Chris Ilitch that we're getting a new plane. I would like to hear from Chris Ilitch that we're getting a new third baseman. to which you commented, that can the plane play third base? but that being said, this also does kind of play into the thought process of Scott Harris is getting this team ready to be competitive for a long time coming, as we get there, including these things that make it attractive to come to the organization.
Luke Jaconis: Yeah, I agree. But can we also upgrade the fan experience by putting a winning baseball team on the field? That's fun that they have like family weekend and you can ride the carousel, I'm pretty sure the Ferris wheel, whatever it is at Comerica Park. I don't haven't been there in such a long time. But, hey, you think you're having those beer bats when we go this year? That'd be pretty fun, eh?
Alex Freeman: Yeah, I mean, we'll definitely get one if they have them.
Luke Jaconis: I hope they have them, that'd be a great time. Yeah, I get what you're saying. It's kind of rolling out in style. Does that help the winning mentality? Does that make Detroit a more attractive place for maybe potential free agents to want to come for years, down the road, maybe.
Alex Freeman: As my middle school soccer coach always said, look good, play good.
Luke Jaconis: and you're playing good. You're looking good.
Alex Freeman: That's right.
Luke Jaconis: Speaking, of crystalline, it's kind of something to do with tigers, but not really. I had Little Caesars pizza for the first time in forever yesterday.
Alex Freeman: Did you have a hot and ready, or did you have a deep dish? What did you have?
Luke Jaconis: we had just hot and ready with cheesy. It was a pepperoni pizza with cheesy crust. cheesy stuffed crust.
Alex Freeman: Very good. That's not good pizza. Hot and ready is not good pizza.
Luke Jaconis: The hot and ready is not good pizza.
Alex Freeman: No. If you're going to get cheap pizza from a Detroit chain, domino's is the superior.
Luke Jaconis: Well, Alex, if you're going to get.
Alex Freeman: A deep dish pizza, little Caesars is the superior.
Luke Jaconis: I've never had little Caesars deep dish. I'm so used to like Lumel Naughty's deep dish in Giordano's.
Alex Freeman: Is it filling as deep dish dish?
Luke Jaconis: Which one? Lumel Naughty's or little Caesars?
Alex Freeman: Anything from Chicago is just a big tomato soup to pretending to be a pizza.
Luke Jaconis: Oh, just stop now. Let's not argue. Let's not get into it on a Thursday. Well, listen to this. When I was at no, I know.
Alex Freeman: There are also listeners shouting about jet's pizza to their jets.
Luke Jaconis: So here's the thing. This was a work thing, and we were trying to get a pizza at work. So then we all are putting our brains together. Me and some m of my coworkers are trying to order the right pizza. One coworker immediately recommended Papa John's, and I thought that that person should have been tried with a war crime. That, was just such a bad suggestion. Beyond that, I said, let's look at jets pizza. Jets was going to be the move, but jets didn't deliver to us. So then I said, all right, all right, let's get Domino's. Well, same thing. Domino's didn't deliver to us. So then the next option, I said, let's try Little Caesars. Little Caesars did deliver to us, and thank God they did, because had they not, we probably would have gone, Pizza Hut. And then finally Papa John's, which I know delivers to us, because every time we have an event at work, if they ever get pizza, it's always Papa John's. But Little Caesar is way better than Papa John's pizza.
Alex Freeman: Yes, I would agree with that. I would agree that I would rather have because also, Papa John's is more expensive and at best, tastes the same.
Luke Jaconis: I like the Little Caesars, cheesy, the cheesy stuffed crust. That was pretty good.
Alex Freeman: Okay, with the cheesy crust, you got a little bit more there as opposed to the plain hot and ready. not to make this a pizza show, but the Tigers have I'm going.
Luke Jaconis: To have pizza after the show for.
Alex Freeman: The last 50 years. So more than that. 60, 70 years. I don't know when the Domino's family bought the team. I don't remember that off the top of my head.
Luke Jaconis: But Little Caesars is definitely better than Papa John's in terms of, I would say taste and also, racism. Christian Witch is a moron, but at least he's not a racist.
Alex Freeman: That's true. That's true. But I will say, in Papa John's defense, papa John no longer part of the company, and Shaquille O'Neill now sits on their board.
Luke Jaconis: M, that's a great upgrade, actually.
Alex Freeman: Who do we talk about?
Luke Jaconis: That's not a good upgrade. That's a great upgrade.
Alex Freeman: That is a great win. now we just need check to fix the pizza recipe.
Luke Jaconis: did you know that in high school people used to call me Little Caesars because I, too, am hot and ready to go be cut out.
Alex Freeman: We're going to move to my stat conversation.
Luke Jaconis: Let's do it. Some stats stat game. Let's play.
Alex Freeman: All right, Luke, oh, man. Which one of these do I want to use? I got a lot of numbers for you today. I got so many numbers, but I don't know which one I want to quiz you about.
Luke Jaconis: Okay.
Alex Freeman: if Major League Baseball's new pitch clock were in effect last season, all right, how many pitchers, based on their average time to the plate, would have had a hard time meeting the cut off on the base's empty pitch clock? So 15 seconds on that pitch clock. Qualified pitchers.
Luke Jaconis: M, can you give me a ballpark number? Are m we at least in triple digits? Double digits?
Alex Freeman: We're not in trouble. Double digits.
Luke Jaconis: Okay.
Alex Freeman: how many of these how many qualified there were about 400 qualified pitchers in Major League Baseball last season.
Luke Jaconis: just give me the question just one more time. Speed round it to me.
Alex Freeman: How many pitchers would have gotten extra balls called because they didn't make it to the plate in time?
Luke Jaconis: I am going to say out of 400 or so qualified starting pitchers. You said certified qualifiers. I don't know. Let's go, 77.
Alex Freeman: That's a little high, but not too bad. It is 59, for a stab in the dark. Pretty good. thank you. Now, that number goes down to 49 and the base is occupied. The MLB average last season, for bases empty was twelve and a half seconds from receiving the ball to going to the plate, and it was 17 seconds with runners, on. So, you know, we're we're going to do we're going to do okay. And it looks like I I'm pro pitch clock, by the way. I am way okay with the pitch clock. I think that there's a lot of shenanigans that happen where people are taking way too much time. In that scenario, it is likely to reduce, or it did in the minor leagues last season, reduce game lengths by 25 minutes, huh? yeah. So this doesn't feel like the thing that baseball has finally done that is going to accomplish one of the major complaints of non baseball people, which is that baseball games are way too long, where nothing's happening. So the average 2022 game, Major League Baseball, 3 hours, six minutes. If we think it's going to come down by 25 minutes, we're looking at a smooth 240, for most Major League Baseball games.
Luke Jaconis: I'm not terribly opposed to this rule change either. As much as I love the game of baseball, sometimes it does go on a little too long. And I agree with you, there is sometimes a lot of unnecessary shenanigans with pitchers on the bomb. Whether it's trying to get their signs on with the catcher, whatever, it could be just unnecessary, I guess, is the best way to unnecessary and a bit silly, if you ask me. A little too silly for my liking. I think this is one of those rule changes up. It's going to take me a little bit while to get used to. I feel like there's going to be a lot of times, like, wait a minute, how that other ball just get added? Oh, that's right. The pitch clock.
Alex Freeman: Okay, great.
Luke Jaconis: All right, move on. So I think it's going to take me a little a little bit, I think, to kind of get acclimated with this rule. But I think after a while, I'll be okay with it and be like, oh, yeah, I just got to move it up. Got to go.
Alex Freeman: Yeah. I think it'll be interesting, too, to watch what the mechanic of enforcement is in, the early parts of the year. obviously, we have, the mechanic that I absolutely hate in the NFL, where, for delay of game, he's looking at the clock. The clock goes to zeros. Then he looks down. Has the ball been snapped? Throw the flag.
Luke Jaconis: why don't we look at the clock? Zero.
Alex Freeman: I don't know what that mechanic looks like in Major League Baseball. I don't know if it's like basketball, where he has a timer on his person so he doesn't have to look. He hears that he feels the buzz ball has not been delivered. Ball. We'll see. I don't know. It'll be good.
Luke Jaconis: let me offer this hypothetical to you real quick and just kind of how will they handle a situation like this if it were to happen? Let's say its base is loaded, bottom of the 9th, full count, and.
Alex Freeman: A.
Luke Jaconis: Pitcher goes past the allotted 15 seconds, or whatever the time parameters are, to have runners on base. and then from there throws a strike, but really exceeded the clock limitations. How does that work? Do you challenge that place? Like, oh, no, he waited a half second too long. That's ball four. Runner takes home, they win. Also, I know there's different rules, too, with having runners on base as opposed to bases empty. That's something I'd have to, again, have to just kind of get used to and read up on. But, just little things like that. I wonder how will that all come in? Kind of manager challenge if like no, look at the pit, look at the pitch clock. He he exceeded the 15 seconds or the 12 seconds or whatever. I'll be curious to see how all that works.
Alex Freeman: Yeah, I mean, that one, I don't know. I don't know if they can if that is a challengeable play or not. you do get so you get 15 seconds, with the bases empty, you get 20 seconds with a runner on and yeah, it'll be interesting. Let's stay with pictures as we kind of talk through some of these rule changes here.
Luke Jaconis: I'm sorry, one more question.
Alex Freeman: Yeah, please. Sorry.
Luke Jaconis: 1 second.
Luke Jaconis: This is just my own stupidity, but are they counting the 15 seconds from the minute the catcher throws the ball to the pitcher and the pitcher catches it, he has 15 seconds to get on the mound, get the sign, and then pitch the ball? Or is it once your foot is on the rubber, then you have 15 seconds.
Alex Freeman: You have 15 seconds from receiving the ball from the catcher to the start of your delivery. Huh.
Luke Jaconis: I wonder if you're a pitcher, right? So you throw it. Usually they do their look, whatever. They get the ball, they walk back to the pitchers mount. I wonder if they will just kind of cut out that motion or just not ask for the ball until they're back onto the pitchers mound and then they have 15 seconds to kind of regroup.
Alex Freeman: Yeah, I think that what it's going.
Luke Jaconis: To be interesting to see is a.
Alex Freeman: Lot of catchers holding the ball longer, than they might have previously, which will be an interesting way that now what I'm very hopeful for is that, some of the pitchers that have some of the most annoying pre pitch rituals, hopefully, that will stop, because I don't think they have time to do some of them. and they've always annoyed me because they take so long. Hopefully the old, Craig campbrell. Yeah, that is exactly who I'm thinking of at this exact moment.
Luke Jaconis: again, I'm not opposed to this rule, I'm just curious how it's all going to play out. So it's kind of exciting.
Alex Freeman: So here's the other one. obviously okay. Also, the bases are bigger, which will be a lot bigger. Yeah. It's three inches shorter to get from home to first base, presumably third base to home. I don't know why that wouldn't be the case. so that'll be interesting. Just to kind of watch the guys adjust to that as they go through that. But, here's the other change. And this is really going to change how the Tigers manage their bullpen. because the Detroit Tigers saw many position players last year. Harold Castro not, not allowed anymore. So you can only bring in a position player to pitch, if you are trailing by eight or more runs or leading in the 9th by at least ten runs. Ah. so I guess maybe it won't change the situation for the Tigers because they can get down by eight runs. They were pretty good at that last year.
Luke Jaconis: True. What are they going to do this year if they get down by eight runs? Tucker Barnhart's gone. Harold Castro is gone. Cody Clemens is gone. Who's going to be that new person? I'm curious to see what's going to do. We get to see Mickey pitch once. You think this bring him getting M blown out, bring him in.
Alex Freeman: Why not let him do it? Why not? Yeah.
Luke Jaconis: This is another rule change that I'm okay with. Hopefully them will, you know, caution, and limit teams from using their backup catcher or utility and field or like, in the fourth inning to be like, well, we got to save arms. And it's like, okay, great, thanks. And all the people bought tickets to watch this game. I'm sure they're having a blast right now. So good job, guys.
Alex Freeman: As someone who did get to see, Harold Castro pitch at Yankee Stadium, I will say just from the enjoying Harold Castro, like, getting the opportunity to see him coming in pitch, that was fun for an AtBat. And then I was like, well, you.
Luke Jaconis: Looked up to the scoreboard and you were like, we're still in hell.
Alex Freeman: Sitting here for the next two, two and a half hours watching the Tigers get absolutely hammered by the Yankees.
Luke Jaconis: Yeah.
Alex Freeman: and then obviously the shift is banned. and I don't love it, just because I think that analytics were making the game interesting. And I think last season we were starting to see hitters figure out how to hit around the shift. and it was going to naturally be less of a strategic advantage because guys were going to get better at hitting. And I think that would have ultimately led to a more interesting baseball product than, just banning the shift is going to allow. But I'm a little bit more whatever about it than I maybe anticipated that I would be as it happened.
Luke Jaconis: Yes, I think it's a bad rule change. I think banning strategy is definitely a head scratcher. But, I always bring up this point. So what's next? You're going to ban the hit and run? You're going to ban drag bunting? What else are we thinking here? I don't like it. Again, I rate over it. But I just think it's kind of like, all right, so it seems to me like we're trying to dumb down the game a little bit. And I don't feel the need to do that. I don't like that we're doing that. I don't like that's the direction Major League Baseball is taking it. So, yes, you don't need to ban the shift. Just hitters need to offensively figure it out and hit around it. You don't need to put a ghost runner on second base in extra innings. Let baseball play proceed like it has for years and years and years prior. It's worked out fine. There's exceptions to the rules, kind of like we said at the beginning of the show, but we don't need to dumb down the game just like that. And I always bring it back to this point. They are so hellbent on making Major League Baseball more appealing to the everyday person and not maybe the everyday fan. And if you, after a while, continuously try and try and try to make the game more appealing to those who, let's call it, really don't care about it. They want to go to the game on a nice summer day, they'll maybe tune in for a couple of innings, but nine times out of ten, they're gone by the 7th or the 8th. Drinking at the bar next door. You're starting them to alienate and isolate the people who truly love, live and breathe this game. Your diehards. And you're punishing them while awarding those who are getting drunk at a happy hour a couple of blocks down from the stadium and maybe watching the game on the TV at the bar. So, I don't know, I always get really frustrated when they make these rules and just having that talk about.
Alex Freeman: Banning.
Luke Jaconis: the shift and thinking back to the Ghost Runner conversation at the beginning, it's like, don't dumb the game down. It's a great game. It's not a perfect game, but it means it needs changes. I think something like the pitch clock is a good change, but.
Alex Freeman: They.
Luke Jaconis: Got to be careful with it. And I think right now they're definitely going down that avenue of making it a lot dumber of a game just to appeal to a bunch of people who don't even really care in the first place.
Alex Freeman: Yeah, I think ultimately now, and maybe this is part of what Major League Baseball is trying to do here with the shift and the pitch clock both coming in and the larger bases, I do think we're going to see some pretty high scoring baseball games, as it goes into effect. And then as teams adjust, I think that will start to come down. But you think about pitchers maybe working a little bit quicker than they have been, which can lead to some hanging sliders and all that kind of good stuff. That can lead to some big plays. Three fewer inches to get from home to first, and suddenly the old gaps you used to rely on are back. So, it could be an offensive explosion. whether or not that's good for baseball, bad for baseball. I'll let the Steroid era answer that question of, whether or not that was ultimately good for baseball or bad for it.
Luke Jaconis: We might see an offensive, ah, explosion around the league. I don't think it's coming to Detroit, Michigan this season, but I could be wrong.
Alex Freeman: It's only 412, but I'm pretty sure luke, it's only 412.
Luke Jaconis: Only 412.
Alex Freeman: So short.
Luke Jaconis: Got a goddamn commercial jet plane playing third base and see how it goes.
Alex Freeman: And it's through the infield.
Luke Jaconis: Still going to get through the infield. Still going to make it happen.
Luke Jaconis: You asked me this week stat question. I got to ask you. You went over one last week. I'm going to stick in the 2009 season. I already had my question picked out. Here we go. Who was the Detroit Tigers starting baseman in the 2009 starting basement?
Alex Freeman: Which base?
Luke Jaconis: I'm sorry, I just had a stroke.
Alex Freeman: Help me.
Luke Jaconis: Starting shortstop.
Alex Freeman: that's even funnier. You said starting baseball.
Luke Jaconis: That's even funnier. It's not a basement. Yeah, they said complete brain fart, not a baseman plays baseball. Helps beyond your now who's the starting shortstop?
Alex Freeman: 2009 starting shortstop?
Luke Jaconis: M. No cheating.
Alex Freeman: I'm not googling anything.
Luke Jaconis: This is not an open note quiz. Not open book.
Alex Freeman: What about an open Google quiz?
Luke Jaconis: Well, you couldn't do that in 2009, either.
Alex Freeman: Yes, you could.
Luke Jaconis: You couldn't google. they wouldn't let you Google questions on an open book. Maybe nowadays in school.
Alex Freeman: In 2009.
Luke Jaconis: Yeah, Google was around in 2009. You didn't get to go on your iPad or your tablet in the middle of a quiz and be like, I don't know what this answer is. Let me look on TikTok.
Alex Freeman: Lol. This is very funny. I'm just going to tell you what I Googled. I obviously Googled 2009 Detroit Tiger starting shortstop, which got me to a baseball Almanac complete roster, which and the answer is doesn't list anyone's position. A basement.
Luke Jaconis: See?
Alex Freeman: Just it's a basement. A basement. just, a basement. Armando gala.
Luke Jaconis: Take a crack at it.
Alex Freeman: Let's see. incorrectly, I think that was.
Luke Jaconis: His second year in the league, if I'm not mistaken. I think he debuted. I want to say no. Eight, maybe. I could be wrong on that. Want to take a crack at it?
Alex Freeman: Brandon Inge?
Luke Jaconis: No, but good try. Looking for no.
Alex Freeman: Great.
Luke Jaconis: Good try. He one time he one time snuffed me of an autograph when I was a little kid. True story. At a White Sox game. You're looking for Adam Everett. Adam Everett, starting shortstop for the Tigers in 2009. All right, try again next week. Next week we'll try to get out of 2009, maybe take a look and see what's going on in 2010. But that's all I got for you this week. Back to you in the studio.
Alex Freeman: Adam Everett was born on Saturday, February 5, in Austell, Georgia.
Luke Jaconis: Okay. we forgot to wish him a happy birthday a couple of weeks ago. Shame on us.
Alex Freeman: Matt is embarrassing. That is on us.
Luke Jaconis: We'll take the scene.
Alex Freeman: He is the 500th oldest living major league baseball player. How do you like that?
Luke Jaconis: That's a bizarre staff that's just gone on long enough.
Alex Freeman: All right, let's get out of here. We'll see you all in a couple of weeks. a couple of great interviews lined up for you. It should be a good time as we get rolling into spring training. Luke, have a good one.
Luke Jaconis: See you, buddy.
Alex Freeman: Like the shuffle, the paper music.