3 key questions the new Detroit Tigers GM needs an answer to

As the Detroit Tigers begin their interview process for GM candidates, these three questions need to be asked

After seven seasons and a complete teardown, the Detroit Tigers and owner Chris Illitch decided to move on from their GM Al Avila. Avila was tasked with a tough assignment–offload pricey veterans and endure losing in hopes that their homegrown talent would eventually star in the major leagues.

In the first season the Detroit Tigers held any amount of expectations, they regressed–and that regression was the main reason the club decided to move on. The timing was a bit of a question mark for the dismissal, but allowing a new regime to handle the draft and trade deadline would have been a difficult task and the club now has a leg up on other teams who might be on the same hunt at season’s end.

While there has been contention and cynicism around ownership’s ability to hire the correct candidate, they will undoubtedly have a slew of smart baseball minds to choose from with the consultation of manager A.J. Hinch.

While I am not privy to the interview process as it pertains to baseball executives, a large topic of discussion has to be a holistic assessment of the organization and where that candidate feels are the next steps to ensure organizational success. Particularly, Chris’ mantra regarding the Detroit Tigers revolves around building a sustained winner that can contend for the playoffs each year and ultimately a World Series.

There are, however, particular questions that should be asked of each candidate that I’d be fascinated to know. The answers to these questions will ultimately determine if the Detroit Tigers will contend for a playoff spot next season but it will also mold future teams with their decisions made this offseason.

1. ‘Why do you feel Jonathan Schoop and Jeimer Candelario had down seasons and how do they fit into the 2023 club?’

Two different situations, but pretty similar 2022 seasons–Jonathan Schoop and Jeimer Candelario were players the Detroit Tigers were counting on to stabilize the middle part of the order to provide some length to the lineup while Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson got acclimated to the big leagues.

Schoop is slashing .203/.237/.317 with nine home runs currently, while Candy is .198/.260/.337 with 10 home runs. Schoop has been a replacement-level player thanks in part to his swift defense at second base while Candelario has been slightly below replacement level, according to Baseball-Reference.

I know batting average isn’t all it has been cracked up to be as a stat, but those slash lines are unplayable if the Tigers are intent on winning. In the case of Candelario, there is a decision to be made on whether to tender him a contract.

Normally it’s a pretty easy decision–cut ties, save $6 million, and move along. However, this free agent class of third baseman isn’t anything to salivate over. Arenado has a player option while Justin Turner, Evan Longoria, and Joey Wendle have club options. Outside of that, it’s Brandon Drury, Maikel Franco, Matt Duffy, and Marwin Gonzalez, according to Spotrac.

Additionally, we’ve seen how the plan of gifting roster spots to prospects has gone with even high-end talent. Awarding Ryan Kreidler with an opening day starting position would be beyond risky not only for winning next year but also for his development.

In the case of Schoop, he is likely to opt-in on the second year of his contract according to a recent Detroit News article, which means Detroit will be on the hook for his $7.5 million salary regardless of whether they intend to keep him. It’s a strange spot for Schoop and the Tigers because while his offense does not warrant a starting role, much of his value is tied to his defense at second base.

If they intend to keep Schoop but reduce him to a bench role, it likely takes away some of that value because he’s likely splitting time at first and third base too. If they keep playing him there every day, they risk another unplayable offensive season. Not a great position to be in.

2. ‘What do you make of Spencer Torkelson’s struggles and how do you address first base?’

It’s one thing if your top prospect enters the big leagues, scuffles, but then goes back down and rakes. That’s just a player who wasn’t ready for the monumental leap that comes with transitioning to the big leagues. But what happens when they get sent down and they still don’t hit?

That’s where the Tigers are with Spencer Torkelson, who is now slashing .179/.289/.345 over his first 22 games with Toledo. While he is taking his fair share of free passes, he’s also struck out 28 times in those 22 games, which is on the higher end of what is tolerable in the game.

Torkelson is obviously still a part of the long-term plans with the Detroit Tigers, but it’s a fair question to wonder how much should be expected of him next season. They could sign a player on the fringes of starting to get them by until Torkelson is ready, or they could sign a full stopgap to cover the position all of 2023.

Addressing the position by committee as they have this season is an option as well, but not a real one if their intent is contention.

3. ‘How do the Detroit Tigers avoid the pitching collapse they faced last season?’

Somehow the Detroit Tigers have again skated by injuries to their pitching staff. Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal, Matt Manning, Michael Pineda, and Eduardo Rodriguez have all spent significant time on the injured list, with Rodriguez spending an extended period on the restricted list as well. This doesn’t even account for the depth they’ve lost.

Casey Mize is out much of next season already, Tarik Skubal might be, and Michael Pineda was signed to a one-year contract, to begin with. 2023, at the moment, could look something like Spencer Turnbull, Eduardo Rodriguez, Matt Manning, Beau Brieske (assuming his injury is not serious), and Tyler Alexander.

There are a couple of nice depth pieces in there, but if this season has taught the team anything, it’s that they should not be afraid of having too many pitchers in the fold and replacing the #7 and #8 starters with #3’s and #4’s would do worlds for their chances.

It’s worth a look to see if there is anything systemically that the Tigers are doing that could be contributing to this string of arm injuries they have recently dealt with, but at large it isn’t a question of if a pitcher is going to get injured as much as it is when.