My grandfather passed away this afternoon. His health steadily declined over the past month or so. We got to see him and my grandma when we were home in August for our family reunion. He was a good man, a family man, a lowkey funny man. My entire family is, of course, sharing stories and photos of him on social media. What I want to share is longer than what most social media posts are, so here is a fun story I have of the man we all knew as Papa.
Several years ago, we were home around Christmas time because my wife's grandfather had passed away. All of the services were going to be in the spring time because you can't really do much in terms of burial in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in December, but we wanted to be with our family. During that week we were home, we took a trip to see my family for their annual Christmas get together. Papa suggested that if we were going to be around for a bit that I come out to hunting camp to hunt for a day or two. After clearing it, I went out there with my dad and Papa. As we were leaving camp to go to our respective seats, dad told me 'nothing that doesn't have antlers.' I said okay, not thinking I would see much only having just a few hours of light. Papa turned to me and said 'Bullshit. Charlie he's home for just a few days. Shoot whatever the fuck you want!' I looked at him, looked at Dad, shrugged my shoulders and said okay. Just before sunset, I had a small doe walk into the bait pile. I waited for a bit hoping for maybe another (read: bigger) one come in with it, contemplated, then shot it. This was the first deer I had ever shot. We didn't hunt much as kids, which looking back at it I hate myself for that. I walked back to camp and Papa had just gotten there before I did.
Papa: 'See anything?'
Me: 'Yup.'
Papa: 'Well did you dress it out?'
Me: 'I didn't have a knife. (I wasn't planning on hunting so didn't come home prepared) Papa, this is my first deer.'
Papa: 'Oh?'
He then walks over to where the Crown Royal was stored and pulled out two shot glasses. He poured, we toasted, then had one more. Just Papa and I sitting at King Pine Camp. Sharing a few shots of whiskey. It was everything.
24 August 2017
04 August 2017
The Foundation is Set
The dust has settled on the MLB trade deadline. The Tigers ended up pulling off one more trade which most everyone was expecting. They sent Justin Wilson and Alex Avila to the Chicago Cubs for more prospects. As with the JD Martinez trade, the prospects weren't the highest profile. To be fair, the pieces that the Tigers moved were not worthy of top ten or twenty ranked prospects. After the Martinez trade, the fan base was ready to run Al Avila out of town. After the Wilson/Avila trade, most seem to be willing to give it a chance. These trades were necessary and were extremely helpful for the organization.
All in all, the Tigers got six prospects all of which are infielders. Third basemen and shortstops at the moment. Some people that know more than I do think one or two might end up being an everyday player at the major league level while others will end up being a serviceable bench player. So why should a fan be excited about players that aren't going to be the next Bryce Harper or Kris Bryant? Because the Tigers didn't have these types of prospects before. Looking at the top prospects within the organization, before the trade, seven of the top ten prospects for the Tigers are pitchers. The other three prospects were all outfielders. When all you draft is power arms and outfielders this is what you end up with. After the trades, two of the new prospects are slotted into the top ten and another is within the top fifteen. The farm system still isn't the best in the league, in fact I believe most have it ranked in the bottom third of the league, but it is improving.
I think that the foundation is set for the next era of the Detroit Tigers. I don't think that we'll see a decade's worth of ruling the AL Central, but they are going to be fun to watch. The players that are coming up in the next three to four years aren't the power hitters we have come to grow and love. These are going to be guys that hit doubles and get on base and manufacture runs. It is going to be very different. It'll be a different type of game played. Think of the way the Kansas City Royals play, that is how I think it'll be for the Tigers. On base guys in front of some power bats. These trades that were made are not going to solve the problem though. It is just the start of the solution. Al Avila is rebuilding the organization, he needs time. They have drafted fairly well the last two years, getting some pitchers but also going after athletic players.
I think these trades might have helped jump the rebuild ahead a year, but it will all depend on how the prospects develop. I think they will be making noise in 2019 but 2020 or 2021 seems to be more likely for them to really threaten to take the AL Central back from other teams (most likely the Chicago White Sox). That will depend on the coaching in the minors. Get excited about the future Tigers fans. It'll take some time, but get excited.
All in all, the Tigers got six prospects all of which are infielders. Third basemen and shortstops at the moment. Some people that know more than I do think one or two might end up being an everyday player at the major league level while others will end up being a serviceable bench player. So why should a fan be excited about players that aren't going to be the next Bryce Harper or Kris Bryant? Because the Tigers didn't have these types of prospects before. Looking at the top prospects within the organization, before the trade, seven of the top ten prospects for the Tigers are pitchers. The other three prospects were all outfielders. When all you draft is power arms and outfielders this is what you end up with. After the trades, two of the new prospects are slotted into the top ten and another is within the top fifteen. The farm system still isn't the best in the league, in fact I believe most have it ranked in the bottom third of the league, but it is improving.
I think that the foundation is set for the next era of the Detroit Tigers. I don't think that we'll see a decade's worth of ruling the AL Central, but they are going to be fun to watch. The players that are coming up in the next three to four years aren't the power hitters we have come to grow and love. These are going to be guys that hit doubles and get on base and manufacture runs. It is going to be very different. It'll be a different type of game played. Think of the way the Kansas City Royals play, that is how I think it'll be for the Tigers. On base guys in front of some power bats. These trades that were made are not going to solve the problem though. It is just the start of the solution. Al Avila is rebuilding the organization, he needs time. They have drafted fairly well the last two years, getting some pitchers but also going after athletic players.
I think these trades might have helped jump the rebuild ahead a year, but it will all depend on how the prospects develop. I think they will be making noise in 2019 but 2020 or 2021 seems to be more likely for them to really threaten to take the AL Central back from other teams (most likely the Chicago White Sox). That will depend on the coaching in the minors. Get excited about the future Tigers fans. It'll take some time, but get excited.
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