OT: Introducing the New Manager of Your Detroit Tigers:

I've been in Houston for the last five years, and adopted the Astros since the Tigers stunk and Verlander got traded to Houston. Hinch was, and possibly still is, very well liked in Houston. He was the manager during the sign-stealing scandal. The MLB report/articles are clear that Hinch did not approve of the setup and, at times, actively interfered with those trying to execute the sign-stealing, but obviously he ultimately didn't do everything he could have. Personally, I think he's a heck of a manager and I'm glad he gets another shot, even more glad that the Tigers will get to benefit from it. He seemed genuinely disappointed in himself for not doing more to end the cheating, and he never tried to blame anyone else or throw them under the bus, even though the MLB decided not to punish any of the players. 

The Pros: 

On paper, this is a perfect fit for the Tigers. He at one point played for the Tigers, has front office experience working with the Padres, and took over the Astros when their rebuild was at a very similar spot to us. He is a good in game manager who has managed in major pressure filled spots during his career. He is proficient at using modern analytics and player evaluation. 

The Cons: 

He was the manager during the cheating scandal. According to the MLB report, he wasn't the ringleader of the scandal and more of a bystander. That was the GM and his bench coach Alex Cora. Hinch even went out of his way to express his displeasure over it including smashing several monitors. But at the same time, he didn't put an end to it, and there are some questions on if that was because he lost control over the lockeroom. 

From what I understand, Hinch's role is kinda like a college basketball coach who knows his boosters and assistants are doing some shady shit with recruits behind their back, but doesn't put an end to it. 
 

“There hasn’t been much the past several seasons.” You do realize this was by design right? You know the Tigers were TRYING to be bad right? 

Avila inherited a team with a massive payroll, an aging core, and the worst farm system in baseball. Which means your team is going absolutely nowhere. 
 

Fast forward a few years and we’ve now shed those contracts (except Miggy) and have a top 5 farm system in baseball (some sources consider it #1). We have some young pieces ready to contribute at the MLB level, some kids ready to break through, and some kids a year or two away. We also have a talented stable of prospects to use for trades and bringing in top end talent, and the payroll room to sign some big name free agents. 
 

Avila isn’t free from criticism. He’s made some mistakes. But to BLAME him for the lack of talent on a team when we’re trying to lose is just crazy. He did exactly what he should have done, and has done a fine job positioning the Tigers for future success. 

Whether he can guide the Tigers into the next stage of the rebuild and into a contender remains to be seen. But you have to understand what the Tigers have gone through the past couple seasons has been NECESSARY, and not criticize Avila for doing what had to be done. 

Hinch took the job because Riley Greene is the next Mike Trout. 

"There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why... I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?”

I'm salivating.

Agree - Wish we could've got someone like... Tony LaRussa /s

I get what you are saying and I partially agree, although to clarify, he wasn't the leader of the scandal. According to MLB's own investigation, the leaders were the GM and Alex Cora. Hinch was more of a bystander, which don't get me wrong, isn't great, but this wasn't the mastermind behind the cheating. 

there's a reason the communication of the stolen sign is against the rules.  It totally undermines the integrity of the game.  If a player figures out a sign on his own and uses it to his advantage, so be it, but to communicate it to another player during live competition ruins the game. 

While I agree that all of those are steps in the right direction, I just think it sends a really bad message to young players, of which the Tigers have many!

The Astros showed you don’t cheat until it matters.  Get good first, then cheat to get over the top.

This will certainly be the lame, tired, lazy, punchline joke that will be attached with him as he was there and didn't do enough to put a stop to it.  

I too am in the minority here.  EVERY baseball team steals signs.  Hell watch a runner on 2nd base, he is very much trying to steal the sign from the catcher and look at the pitcher is holding the ball and let his teammate in the box know what pitch is coming.

There is a level of double standard going on there, I can ensure you every team (including the whiney Dodgers and Yankees) are trying to figure out what the signs are from the catcher and 3rd base coach.  The Astros just took it to another level that displeased the powers to be.  I know this will be waffling, but yeah sitting in centerfield and using cell phones to relay the pitches take it to another level..............

But, the Tigers just need to play above this rabble and keep improving.  As stated repeatedly already, the GM was the ring leader of this and I dont believe that Avila will go down that path...

I mean why would he come clean if he weren’t caught. “Hey, everybody we just won the World Series, but guess what you don’t know. We cheated.”

This is the thing. Do the Tigers have the analytics front office to make Hinch useful? Hiring Hinch for using his gut like Dusty Baker would be an interesting experiment, although a pointless one if the players are still talentless.