Bless You Boys: for Detroit Tigers fans

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The Voice of the Turtle, Episode 21: Catching up with Dan Dickerson Feb 17, 2016

Show notes

The end of darkness is almost here. We are two days away from the Detroit Tigers' first spring training workouts in Lakeland, Florida, and less than two weeks away from hearing Tigers radio announcer Dan Dickerson back on the airwaves! Rob and HookSlide couldn't wait that long, however, so they brought Dan on The Voice of the Turtle to help preview the Tigers' season. Topics range frrom the team's chances at contention to their best moves of the offseason to how the front office has changed under Al Avila. Believe us: this is one interview you don't want to miss! There is always more to talk about, though. Before talking to Dan, Rob and HookSlide take an in-depth look at the Tigers' roster and how it compares to all those computer-generated projections that seem to be so down on the the Tigers' chances this season. They also make their Tiger-centric predictions for the upcoming season, and add in a few prop bets along the way. Topics in this week's episode include: PECOTA projections and whether we should ignore them entirelyMiguel Cabrera: he's really good"Can he stay healthy?" is the Tigers' 2016 mottoRole players that need to step forward this seasonJustin Verlander: staff ace or Hall of Famer?Jordan Zimmermann's transition from the National LeagueUpgrading bullpen expectations from impossibly low standardsThe most important prop bets everListener questions!The Tigers' Baserunning WayDan Dickerson previews the 2016 Tigers Contents: 2:13 - Rounding the Bases: boooo, projection systems! 34:45 - Warming in the Pen: armed and dangerous? 1:01:42 - High and Tight: predictions galore 1:20:51 - Into the Mob Scene at Home: worst-case scenario 1:41:08 - The 7th Inning Kvetch: Dan Dickerson

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The Voice of the Turtle, Episode 20: Save us, baseball Feb 10, 2016

Show notes

We might be losing it. With no real baseball to talk about over the past two weeks, Rob and HookSlide still found a way to turn in their longest show to date, recording a two-hour, 21 minute podcast entirely about J.D. Martinez's two-year contract extension. ...and a few other things. This week's show also covers what the Tigers' master plan is, what with all the contracts expiring after the 2017 season. In the meantime, Rob and HookSlide also discuss where the Tigers sit in the AL Central race for 2016, and just how good of a job general manager Al Avila did this offseason. They also break away to talk about the team's top prospects, including those heading to spring training as non-roster invitees. Naturally, there were also a few listener questions involved, and Rob finishes up the show with a rant about how awful most of sports media truly is (besides BYB, of course). Please get here soon, baseball. Topics in this week's episode include: What do we call J.D. Martinez's new contract?Al Avila's master plan for baseball dominationThe Tigers' best, worst, and most underrated moves of the winterWhich team will most certainly win the AL Central because we picked them to do soThe players we will have to Google during spring trainingThis whole prospect thing? Kind of funListener questions!Where Calvin Johnson would play if he were a TigerHow awful sports media is, and why BYB is awesomeSpring training and your slow descent into madness

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The Voice of the Turtle, Episode 19: Year of the Upton Jan 20, 2016

Show notes

Let it be known: we decided to record this podcast before the Detroit Tigers made waves across baseball, signing free agent outfielder Justin Upton to a six-year, $132.75 million contract. See, there's a post and everything. Anyway, what originally planned to be a dull episode became very exciting when the Tigers finished their offseason with a flourish. Rob and HookSlide break down the deal, discuss what it means for the Tigers roster in 2016 (and beyond), and debate whether opt out clauses -- the newest trend in baseball, apparently -- are worth the hassle. Of course, other things have happened too. The Baltimore Orioles signed Chris Davis to a seven-year contract with all sorts of deferred money, while the Kansas City Royals inked Ian Kennedy to a deal more expensive than anyone expected. There are also the never-ending Yoenis Cespedes rumors to discuss, and St. Louis Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak's recent comments about the DH making its way to the National League. It's good to be back. Topics in this week's episode include: Whether Al Avila is listening to this podcastThe benefits to Justin Upton's opt out clauseHoly crap we signed Justin Upton (the exuberance was a bit delayed)Bruce Rondon's terrible, horrible, no good, very bad offseasonChris Davis' roundabout trip back to BaltimoreAll the drugs the Royals must be takingAre the Tigers World Series contenders?Listener questions!Who bats where?Does the National League need the DH?Old-timey baseball, or at least a way to return to it

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The Voice of the Turtle, Episode 18: Options, options, options Dec 16, 2015

Show notes

Mere hours after Rob and HookSlide finished recording their last episode of The Voice of the Turtle, the Tigers' new general manager pulled the trigger on yet another move, acquiring left-handed reliever Justin Wilson from the New York Yankees. Sent the other way were two pitching prospects, righthanders Luis Cessa and Chad Green. The deal is a week old, but this is our hosts' first chance to take a look at the move, and they do it with the help of Tanya Bondurant, managing editor of Pinstripe Alley, SB Nation's excellent Yankees community. Tanya tempers expectations a bit, but given her lofty standards for bullpen arms -- the Yankees have both Andrew Miller and Dellin Beances at the back of their pen, remember -- we lowly Tigers fans should still be happy about the improvements made thus far. Topics in this week's episode include: Egg nog: fair or foul?What the Tigers are getting in Justin WilsonIs this a good bullpen?Outfield options, and if another addition is neededBruce Rondon got into more troubleJordan Zimmermann's contract looks even betterThe Tigers Way: a necessary endeavorWhy Ender Inciarte isn't the godsend some thinkInterview with Tanya Bondurant of Pinstripe AlleyDo the Yankees care about losing Justin Wilson? Contents: 3:51 - Rounding the Bases: Is the bullpen finally good? 19:47 - Warming in the Pen: tweak the roster now, or do it later? 27:18 - High and Tight: Bruce Rondon is a brawler – is that ok? 45:35 - Into the Mob Scene at Home: who’s getting traded before April? 1:05:09 - The 7th Inning Kvetch: what do Yankees fans think of the Justin Wilson trade?

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The Voice of the Turtle, Episode 17: Al Avila does not sleep Dec 09, 2015

Show notes

The Hot Stove doesn't get any hotter than this week, as all 30 MLB teams are represented in Nashville and the deals are flying left and right. From trades to free agent signings, every fanbase is hoping their team makes a bit move to bolster their chances in 2016. Free agent signings? The Tigers have had three since our last episode, and we're breaking down the ins and outs of all of them. Roster moves? Backup catcher Bryan Holaday appears to be on the outside looking in, and we'll discuss what his future holds. Trades? The Tigers don't currently have anything on the docket, but the Arizona Diamondbacks pulled off a doozy mere minutes before our show went live. As fate would have it, we had the D-Backs represented on this week's show, courtesy of special guest Charlie Gebow from AZ Snakepit. Still blown away by the blockbuster moves of the past week, Charlie discussed the Diamondbacks' chances at contention now that their rotation is topped by Zack Greinke and Shelby Miller. Topics in this week's episode include: Mike Pelfrey might be better than we thinkJarrod Saltalamacchia: big name, big potentialIs Bryan Holaday heading back to Texas?Relievers, relievers, and more relieversAre the White Sox and Indians still alive?Christmas ideas and The Tigers WaySnap reactions to the Shelby Miller dealWhat the Diamondbacks need to do to return to contention Contents: 2:20 - Rounding the Bases: why would the Tigers sign a pitcher who isn’t good at pitching? 34:02 - Warming in the Pen: would you be comfortable if the season started tomorrow? 50:27 - High and Tight: are the Tigers back to being the toast of the Central? 1:09:14 - Into the Mob Scene at Home: all I want for Christmas is this 1:32:32 - The 7th Inning Kvetch: Zack Greinke is the Diamondbacks ace

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The Voice of the Turtle, Episode 16: Everything we say is wrong Dec 02, 2015

Show notes

Not two minutes into last week's episode of The Voice of the Turtle, Rob told our faithful listeners that the Detroit Tigers -- and other MLB teams, for that matter -- wouldn't be up to much over the Thanksgiving holiday. Like usual, both he and HookSlide were dead wrong. Sure, things calmed down a bit after now-former Tigers catcher Alex Avila signed with the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, but the weekend came to a loud and abrupt close when the Tigers inked Jordan Zimmermann to a five-year, $110 million contract. Not to be outdone, the Boston Red Sox signed David Price (another former Tiger!) to a seven-year, $217 million contract just hours before we recorded. Oh, how good it is to be wrong. There was plenty to talk about on this week's podcast, from the new contracts to how the Tigers are going to fill out their roster to the interesting comments owner Mike Ilitch made during Zimmermann's introductory press conference. We also take another round of listener questions, and even ponder what Thanksgiving was like this year in the Avila household. Topics in this week's episode include: Nope, nothing happened last week. Not at all.Dan Dickerson likes Jordan Zimmermann, and you should tooWhat do we make of the Tigers starting rotation?The Winter Meetings are coming! The Winter Meetings are coming!Does Al Alburquerque have a place in next year's bullpen?Alex Avila is now the enemyJohnny Cueto doesn't like the desertHow many 'n's are on this thing?Listener questions!Mike Ilitch says YOLO to the luxury taxWho is really at fault for the Tigers' problems?

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The Voice of the Turtle, Episode 15: This is Moneyball Nov 25, 2015

Show notes

It's Thanksgiving week, but before you sit down to stuff your face, old Uncle Mort has a few burning questions. Namely, what are the Detroit Tigers doing? He also wants to know why Brad Ausmus is still around, but you haven't had enough gravy to answer that question yet. On this week's podcast, Rob and HookSlide break down the trades that brought Francisco Rodriguez and Cameron Maybin to Detroit, try to decipher general manager Al Avila's master plan, and decipher what big data baseball moves are coming to the Tigers organization. Rob also reveals his strategy for answering Tigers-related questions at Thanksgiving, and HookSlide explains why a Doug Fister reunion is a good thing. The overarching theme of the week, of course, is analytics. The Tigers are using them more and more, but Avila's jigsaw puzzle is far from finished. There are a few pieces still missing, and some over-sized pieces that tend to break easily. Still, there is a lot of time left in the offseason -- we're not even at the Winter Meetings yet! -- and a bit of cash to spare. Stay patient, Tigers fans. Topics in this week's episode include: K-Rod is not Joe NathanMontreal Robertson: baseball pitcher or TV detective?BLOCKBUSTER TRADES (involving Liam Hendriks)Marcell Ozuna may be on the moveIs this outfield finished?How to deal with old Uncle Mort at ThanksgivingWhere the Tigers fit in big data baseball Contents 2:29 - Rounding the Bases: Al Avila is the anti-Dombrowski 32:31 - Warming in the Pen: the Marlins are a merry-go-round of madness 46:39 - High and Tight: the Tigers aren't done upgrading the outfield, right? RIGHT?! 1:03:59 - Into the Mob Scene at Home: 5 topics to go with Thanksgiving dinner 1:27:47 - The 7th Inning Kvetch: bringing big data to Detroit

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The Voice of the Turtle, Episode 14: All smoke, no fire Nov 18, 2015

Show notes

It wouldn't be the offseason without a big Dave Dombrowski move. Less than two weeks in, here we are. The Boston Red Sox traded a bevy of prospects for Closer of Worlds Craig Kimbrel, while the Detroit Tigers fanbase was left wondering where they now stand. Rest easy, Tigers fans. It's still early. On this week's episode of The Voice of the Turtle, Rob and HookSlilde sift through the offseason rumors, and whether the Tigers are taking the right approach to a pivotal offseason. From Hisashi Iwakuma to Shawn Kelley, the Tigers are showing interest in just about everyone with a curveball. Oh, and some guy named Jose Fernandez may be on the trade block too. In the final segment, we welcome in special guest Chris Lemieux, writer for Pride of Detroit, SB Nation's Detroit Lions blog. Chris breaks down the Lions season so far, whether there is hope for the future, and the striking similarities between the Lions and Tigers. Topics in this week's episode include: Which pitchers the Tigers are not interested in (because they want just about everyone) Bullpen Wars: Al Avila vs. Brad Ausmus Dave Dombrowski finally gets his closer Will the Tigers ever beat the Angels? How many farm systems it would take to acquire Jose Fernandez Takeout slides, replay, and what's good for the game Lions, Tigers, and old, title-hungry owners (Oh my!) If Matthew Stafford is the answer at quarterback for the Lions Why football fans make bad baseball fans (and vice versa) Contents: 2:31 - Rounding the Bases: the Tigers are all smoke, no fire 16:09 - Warming in the Pen: Damn you, Dombrowski 33:48 - High and Tight: what would you give up to get Jose Fernandez? 54:42 - Into the Mob Scene at Home: Jose Iglesias will NOT be traded (until he is) 1:15:15 - The 7th Inning Kvetch: the Lions and Tigers are same, but different

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The Voice of the Turtle, Episode 13: Speculation overdrive Nov 11, 2015

Show notes

After what might be the most painful week of the baseball offseason -- January is Netflix and chill month, if we're being honest -- Rob and HookSlide are back to discuss and debate all of the Hot Stove action that took place! Unfortunately, there wasn't much. There were a few rumors, though, including the potential return of 2015 Tigers closer Joakim Soria, and a longshot reunion with 2006 draft pick Andrew Miller. Will those moves happen? We don't know, but our fearless co-hosts did their best to predict the future with a free agent draft. There was a bit of actual news to discuss as well. The Tigers hired new analytics expert Jay Sartori to bolster the front office, but lost reliever Guido Knudson and prospect JaCoby Jones to waivers and a suspension, respectively. Plus, Rob and HookSlide answer your listener questions, including the one must-have free agent on the market this offseason. Topics in this week's episode include: The worst parts of the baseball offseasonWhy in the world the Tigers are interested in Andrew MillerA showdown between Darren O'Day and Joakim SoriaAwful pirate jokes, and where Guido Knudson fits inWhether Jay Sartori was responsible for the iPhone 6sWhich free agents are not worth a draft pickThe Twins and Indians, and why anyone cares about themThe harsh reality of minor league suspensionsAl Avila's master planListener questions!Which bullpen pitchers are actually worth holding ontoThe free agent draft game!

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The Voice of the Turtle, Episode 12: The dark, cold baseball offseason Nov 04, 2015

Show notes

On this week's episode, Rob and Hookslide discuss the news of the first few days of the offseason, break down what the Tigers should (and should not) do over the course of the winter, and vent their frustrations over the loss of yet another awesome thing on the internet: Grantland. Our hosts are also joined by special guest Meg Rowley, a very talented writer who can be found at Lookout Landing, Baseball Prospectus, and Just a Bit Outside. Meg offered up her unique opinion on being a female in a male-dominated sports industry, discussed the strides baseball is making to better integrate its game, and whether she would ever get to see a female player or coach in a Major League Baseball game in her lifetime. Topics in this week's episode include: The savior of the pitching staff is here!Daniel Norris is cancer-free!Shane Greene is throwing againThe offseason is here, and we need new playersWere the Kansas City Royals actually a great team?Grantland is no more, and it's all because the internet sucksWhich Tigers would be great Big Lebowski characters?The importance of ESPN's Jess MendozaThe importance of gender integration in baseball Contents: 2:56 - Rounding the Bases: changes for the 2016 pitching staff 20:03 - Warming in the Pen: really, that guy might be back in 2016? 36:02 - High and Tight: the Kansas City royals are still a fluke, right? 56:42 - Into the Mob Scene at Home: the offseason – what’s the worst that could happen? 1:10:13 - The 7th Inning Kvetch: who doesn’t want women involved with sports?!

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