Part 7/9:
The offseason following the 2021 season signaled a renewed commitment to building a competitive roster. The acquisition of Eduardo Rodriguez on a five-year deal and the signing of Javier Baez for six years marked a dramatic shift in approach. Despite having starting potential, both players fell short of expectations, highlighting persistent issues with player performance evaluation and the sustainability of contracts.
As the Tigers concluded a surprising playoff appearance in 2024, the reflection on their roster and spending habits illuminated sentiments of cautious optimism. The recent signings of players like Alex Cobb and Gleyber Torres, while promising, may not be enough to overcome the residues of previous mismanagement and miscalculations in player performance.