The Detroit Tigers lost Jairo Labourt on waivers to the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, a move we predicted would happen when Labourt was designated for assignment last week. Labourt, 23, posted a 2.17 ERA with 79 strikeouts to 33 walks in 66 1⁄3 minor league innings last year before he walked seven batters in a brief six-inning major league call-up. He was our No. 16 prospect in the Tigers system heading into the 2018 season.
This isn’t about losing Jairo Labourt. It’s about their poor decision-making, hesitance to fully commit to their rebuild, and perhaps even a subpar ability to evaluate talent.