Scott Harris' vague comments on Tigers trade deadline approach has fans getting antsy

Every MLB front office head has to assume the role of something like a politician, and the Tigers' Scott Harris plays that role exceptionally well. Under his leadership as president of baseball operations, the Tigers move very quietly and don't make a lot of promises, to the chagrin of Tigers fans. They stick by the players they already have and only add when it's really necessary.

So far this season, things are working out for Harris. The players he pleaded for fans to have patience with are coming through, and the few free agents he signed in the offseason have proven to be the perfect supplementary pieces.

That doesn't mean that Tigers fans won't continue to be frustrated, though. In an appearance on 97.1 The Ticket, he said that Detroit will be "pragmatic" at the deadline, which isn't much for fans to get fired up about.

Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press also wrote that Harris said the team is "preparing to add" at the deadline, but the obvious following question from fans — to what extent? — probably won't get a straight answer.

"We're going to look at both sides of a potential deal, and we're going to try to make the ones that we think are going to help us get to the next level, both this year and in the future," Harris said. Super helpful.

Scott Harris remains tight-lipped on Tigers' trade deadline strategy, but does reveal Detroit is "preparing to add"

The news of Jackson Jobe's Tommy John surgery immediately put an item on the Tigers' trade deadline wishlist. Keider Montero is doing good work, and Sawyer Gipson-Long could move into a full starting role, but if the Tigers want to set themselves up to get deep into October, they're probably going to want a proven starter, preferably one with some postseason experience. Beau Brieske being optioned to the minors on Thursday also points to some cracks showing in the bullpen.

And the Tigers could always use some more power in the lineup, even if Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene, and Kerry Carpenter have been picking things up a lot in that department this season.

But, again, Harris moves quietly and doesn't make a lot of promises. He's kind of a steel trap. So, while it feels safe to trust that the Tigers will do something at the deadline, we shouldn't expect Harris to change his ways and let fans in on his actual thought processes anytime soon.