Was That Skubal's Last Start in Detroit? Green Bay Told They Must Show Some Love as Training Camps Begin

About once a decade, you get a pitcher that you know is your ace.  One that sets himself apart.  Detroit has that ace now, obviously in Tarik Skubal.  Now I know that his performance may have not been his best, giving up a career worst ten hits, but what impressed me the most was his ability to get out of jams.  He gave Detroit seven solid innings.  That is impressive in itself, given the "AJ Hinch Protocol" of preserving his pitchers for the future.  He now has an American League leading 2.34 ERA.  Also amongst the league leaders in wins and quality starts.  But the next question is, will he continue this in a Tigers uniform.

Detroit Tigers fans have not had much to cheer about in the last decade.  Nine years since a trip to the playoffs.  The "rebuild" since that run of postseason appearances from 2006-2015 has seemed like it has taken to a snail's pace, to say the least.  Now Detroit seems to have found few pieces.  The main centerpiece is Skubal.   He is a reason to watch, or in my case last night, listen to on the radio.  

Detroit is in a unique position right now.  Teetering on the line of relevance, or wait until next year.  A four game series with Cleveland that started last night with that dominant performance by Skubal and an offensive show in an 8-2 win.  Such a monster series, which again is something Detroit hasn't experienced in quite some time, July relevance. Detroit is 50-51, six games behind Kansas City for the last wildcard spot as of Tuesday, July 24th.  They are still ten games out of the divisional lead.  Both seem like daunting tasks, but the wildcard spot is attainable.  The trade deadline is next Monday, July 30th.  Baltimore and the Dodgers are the teams that are reported interested.  The Yankees are lurking, as well.  Baltimore has some assets in AAA that could start more immediately for Detroit.  Coby Mayo and Jackson Holliday could fit right in nicely for the Tigers at 3rd base and shortstop respectively.  Throw in left handed starter Cade Povich, and another player, and my mind could for the first time, MAYBE be swayed.  

But I just cannot fathom Detroit giving away their cornerstone.  Their foundation in the rotation.  I am so tired of playing for what might be in a few years.  They have a great young core right now with Keith, and Riley Greene, Matt Olsen, Jake Rodgers, and so on.  When is it time to roll the dice with what we have?   I am growing tired of providing other teams with that missing piece for their World Series chase.  It is time for Detroit to do the chasing now....not maybe five years from now.  

Training camps have opened this week for the NFL.  Media days for the B1G Ten and the remaining College Football conferences.  It is almost go time.  Green Bay had their first press conference yesterday of training camp.  It was announced that Jordan Love will not participate in training camp until he gets a new contract or a lucrative contract extension.  Oh and by the way it's Aaron Rodger's first day at camp for the Jets.  

Love is in the final year of a two year extension that this year pays him $13 million.  He is looking for an extension with guaranteed money that will put him in the top five.  Some are saying he is shooting to be the highest paid quarterback in the league.  You have Joe Burrow as the highest annual contract of $55 million,  Jared Goff is up there with $53 million, Jalen Hurts over $50 per.  Patrick Mahomes, Lamarr Jackson.   So this is some good company.  Hurts and Mahomes have won Super Bowls.  Burrow and Goff have gotten there.  Jackson is a two time MVP.  Does Love deserve this type of AAV?  He has had one good year with a playoff win.  

Now you look the other end of this argument.  Deshaun Watson has a $230 million guaranteed contract.   Green Bay is saying thanks a lot Cleveland.  And Herbert is over $215 million, which is more that Mahomes and Hurts.  A lot of money for quarterbacks that have done nothing.  So with quarterback natural selection, and next man up,  you would think Love deserves that kind of money.  Goff is at $170 guaranteed.  So my point is, there is no making sense of what is going to happen.  Then there is Dak Prescott.  His camp and media outlets are suggesting $60 million a year for him. That is the next new threshold.   My guess is
he will get somewhere in the ballpark of $220 million guaranteed.  A four year deal roughly $58-60 million per.  Insane money, but it is a quarterback driven league will dictate that.  

Green Bay will definitely be showing the love.  Will Love be able to the deliver the "love" in the form of a Super Bowl run, keeping up with his predecessors  Brett Farve and Aaron Rodgers.   Does this mean that Love will then be able to schedule exotic trips during mandatory training camp like Rodgers does?

Training camp is here.  Everybody's team has a chance to win a Super Bowl.  The month of hope!  Green Bay hopes Love will deliver, and Love hopes Green Bay will pony up some love to his bank account!  

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