GoWings1905

I really like that trade idea. Brendan Ryan is indeed one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball. Him and Infante up the middle would take some serious pressure off the umm... anchors at the corners. I just want Boesch gone too -- he has no spot on this team anymore with Hunter, nor should he. Berry is more valuable off the bench because of the speed factor. I don't get the sense DD is desperate to make another "big" move. Maybe wait until January and sign a reliever or backup catcher possibly. I would prefer they don't waste Avisail Garcia in a strictly platoon role if they intend on utilizing that in left with Dirks. Would have been quite pleased with the rumored Scott Hairston signing, but it didn't happen.The starting pitching does worry me a little with no Sanchez around. Wouldn't mind a low risk deal (Brad Penny type) for some depth.

Honestly, why dress Tootoo against the Red Wings in the playoffs? Not like anyone is going to fight him back.

Likewise, but there's absolutely no chance the new arena won't have a corporate name. Too much money to be had there.

I have a ton of incredible memories at the Joe, but the building is a dump. I'm tall and my legs go numb sitting in those seats for very long. The bathrooms are a joke, everyone leaves through the same exit and the concourse is entirely not appealing. Besides the sight lines, nostalgia and not having a stupid corporate name, there's nothing special about JLA. The Red Wings organization deserves a new arena. It would be great for the city of Detroit as well.

Dan Haren to the Nationals. What a pitching staff and they will have Strasburg the entire season. I still want Stephen Drew, but doesn't sound like the prospects are that strong right now.

I may not be the best person to answer this because I watch baseball every night and never get sick of it. I understand the angle that games might be boring due to all of the down time where the ball isn't getting hit somewhere. That being said, I think you will find that the more baseball you take in, the more you will pick up on the small parts of the game that add intrigue. There's so much going on that affects strategies and situations. Focusing on star players is never a bad idea. We're lucky and get to see Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander here and those two are about as exciting as they come in the sport.

Run away before you get addicted and get your soul crushed by a jackass commissioner and a bunch of billionaires.

March 26, 1997. A champion was born that day.

Rumors are circulating the Tigers are trying to sign Stephen Drew, which would also involve trading Peralta. Are we actually going to attempt to play defense this season? Sign me up for this new embrace in philosophy.

Holland did the best he could this summer. Can't fault him for Suter choosing to play elsewhere. My complaint will always be with Holland's lack of action in the years leading up to this off-season. Rafalski was a surprise retirement, but everyone knew Nick's days were dwindling and Stu was going back to California.

Miggy rightfully wins the MVP! How can you deny the Triple Crown? The best hitter in baseball finally gets the award he could win nearly every season. Man, are we ever lucky to be Tigers fans right now. The World Series stings, but watching JV and Cabrera in their primes is special. Congrats to the new MVP in Detroit!

Laird signs with the Braves. Didn't like him much with the Tigers the first time around, but I thought he was very good as Avila's backup this season. It's a pretty critical position because we saw what running Avila into the ground does to his health and hitting ability.

I couldn't be more stoked with the news about Torii Hunter. I have always liked him as a player and person even when he was torturing the Tigers with the Twins for years. He's a perfect fit for what the team needed most this winter. Right field was such a gaping hole last season and now it's filled with a combination of solid hitting and stellar defense. 1-5 in the Tigers lineup is so sick. If Peralta and/or Avila bounce back somewhat at the bottom plus adding Infante the entire year and this appears to be a stacked batting order. Great work, as has been the case nearly every move lately, by Dombrowski. Just a few other pieces to fill in and count the days until April.

Definitely agree with you about the Jays. They were already a pretty respectable team, but this instantly propels them to contend seriously in the AL East. That division is absolutely brutal. Josh Johnson is as good as any pitcher when healthy. The Marlins are a joke. Con taxpayers into funding a new stadium, spend money for once and then completely tear it down not even a year later. Even before today, they had unloaded Ramirez and Bell and now they just got rid of anyone left on the team making big money. The Tigers seem to like being trade partners with the Marlins, so maybe the selling spirit can continue on with Giancarlo Stanton for someone not named Nick Castellanos. I'm hoping once this Torii Hunter deal happens (because I refuse to believe it won't) that the Tigers add to the bullpen for certain and possibly some depth for the back of the rotation since keeping Sanchez seems done. I don't trust Porcello and while I like Smyly, he's still developing and hasn't pitched an entire season of professional baseball. I will have to glance at the available names, but it's not like the Tigers have an abundance of quality starting pitching waiting in the minor leagues should injuries occur again. I would take Laird back as well or might even be fine with Holaday backing up Avila.

The Tigers are hosting a free agent visitor today. My off-season would damn near be complete already if Torii Hunter signs.

I think Anibal Sanchez will ultimately cost too much for the Tigers to keep, which would really be a shame. He helped the Tigers out significantly down the stretch and in the playoffs, but that might end up being the difference in keeping him around. Looks like Jeremy Bonderman is getting a contract as well. Low-risk move with maybe a slight chance for upside. Gotta think the extent of his injuries are always going to be a factor in returning to form, but I'm glad he's getting an opportunity to pitch again. Always had a lot of talent and the Tigers really stifled his development by rushing him to the big leagues so soon.

I think an "A" is a little generous. At best, I would give it a "C". Love the Tootoo move to add a different element to an already strong bottom-six. Not really thrilled about signing an aging Samuelsson (again) and expecting him to contribute offensively in a top-six role. The top-six has really been stagnant for years -- Zetterberg and Datsyuk have to generate everything offensively and in the playoffs especially lately, we don't have forwards that can score goals in tight games. Filppula had a terrific breakout season. Can he duplicate it or even get better? We all know what Franzen provides. The other two spots belong to maybe Bertuzzi and Samuelsson? I have said it in other threads previously discussing the off-season, but the Red Wings are going to need Nyquist and/or Brunner to contribute immediately whenever hockey resumes. The defense is bad. Losing three of your top four d-men in two years is not a good situation especially when one of them is Nick Lidstrom. Obviously there's no replacing him and Holland did his best to secure the closest thing in Suter. I can't get upset over that, but it does bother me more wasn't done in advance when it was clear Nick's days were winding down and Stuart was going back to California. Colaiacovo is a decent depth signing (if healthy), however, who logs big minutes on this defense now besides Kronner? You are asking for major leaps out of Quincey and Ericsson, plus rapid development from Smith. I think all of that is certainly possible, but it's a rather scary position to be in. A lot of things would have go to well for the Red Wings to even win a playoff round with this roster. Remember, they won ONE game last spring with Lidstrom around. The transition to being younger, bigger and faster is finally taking place at least.

August 7th, 2013 at 4 PM. I have no faith in this league.

Completely agree with you here and your bullet points as well from the previous post. Glad Peralta and Dotel are coming back, plus the obvious joy that results from no more Delmon or Valverde. I hope we get the in-between Jhonny Peralta next season. 2011 was a career year, 2012 was just the opposite. He doesn't get to anything defensively and he's slow, but he's sure-handed and typically strong offensively for a shortstop. I would love a shortstop with some speed and more range -- there just aren't any of those available in free agency and Elvis Andrus would cost a ton if they try to trade him. I'm OK with Leyland returning. Hard to argue with his success in Detroit, even though some of his decisions and 1950's baseball mentality drives me insane. The players love him and the World Series failure certainly wasn't on him. I saw Rondon in Toledo and he's electric. He's huge and was throwing his fastball in triple digits. My only concern is his control was very erratic. I still somewhat expect both Rondon and Garcia to start in Toledo and maybe come up later in the season if their development continues well. I couldn't agree more about not spending big on a closer. Relievers are extremely tough to predict each season. I know there's an obession now with having a defined closer, but multiple options would be fine with me if Rondon isn't ready. My two biggest wants this off-season are to keep Anibal Sanchez and sign a corner outfielder. My first preference there is easily Torii Hunter. Having him hitting second would fill a hole the Tigers never found a permanent answer to this season. Plus he's still incredible defensively. I like Dirks and Berry as an option off the bench for speed, but the Tigers have to do something significant in the outfield (please, not Josh Hamilton). Sanchez is going to be expensive (especially after his playoff showing) though I think you could make the case the Tigers have the best starting rotation in baseball with him around. Porcello and Smyly as the 4th and 5th starters would be pretty adequate, but Sanchez there is lethal. I wouldn't care if the Tigers dangled Porcello if Sanchez stays because I think Smyly is the better pitcher already. Porcello needs a good defense to be effective and he isn't getting that here. Having Sanchez and Infante for an entire season would easily get the Tigers closer to 95 wins than 88. I also can't wait to get Victor Martinez back. I love the guy and think he's the heart and soul of the clubhouse. As disapponting as the end of this season was, with a couple of moves, the Tigers can get back to the World Series and be better a year from now.

A week ago, everything looked lined up for the Tigers to win a championship. I thought the Giants had a very good chance to win the series, but this sweep is pretty stunning. Part of the reason baseball is so incredible: completely unpredictable, even though being on this end isn't nearly as fun. Congrats to the Giants for winning it all yet again. I am nothing but impressed with the display of baseball they put on during these playoffs. Spectacular pitching (both starters and bullpen), flawless defense and contributions throughout the lineup with timely hitting. Their roster is constructed very well and they were easily the better team in every regard against Detroit. Also have to mention the Giants pulled this off without Cabrera, Wilson and Lincecum pitching in relief. Down 0-2 in the NLDS, win six straight elimination games and seven straight to close it out. I'm bummed the Tigers lost and feel especially bad for Mr. Ilitch. We all see how hard it is to just get to the World Series even with the ability to spend a lot of money. The near future still appears strong, but a missed opportunity like this really stings right now. Disappointing ending to a frustrating yet special season overall. Now the long wait until Opening Day begins and we get to experience winter with no Red Wings. Time to start the hot stove with a call to Torii Hunter hopefully first on the agenda.

Miggy, Prince and Delmon all strikeout in the 8th with Garcia on. That felt like the Tigers shot to win the game. Battle of the bullpen favors the Giants greatly.

The Giants play impeccable defense. I'm incredibly jealous of the way they field the ball. I hate bunting. Leyland bunts like he plays in the NL. Giving away free outs when you are struggling to score runs as it is drives me nuts. I hope they can push some more runs across here soon. Don't feel safe with this bullpen and Max isn't going to be out there for 120 pitches.

Game 4 of the World Series and I'm not even remotely excited to watch. That inevitable feeling of defeat stinks. Go Tigs, maybe for the final time! Try and score a run or something.

Double plays, no power and the inability to string hits together or come up with a clutch one. Sounds like the Tigers all season really. Berry batting second is quite dumb too -- I love his energy, but he hasn't hit since June. Get Infante or Dirks there. Not that it ultimately matters much since Cabrera and Fielder apparently don't hit anymore either. Three runs in two games, shutout twice in a row and really haven't produced anything offensively besides Game 4 against the Yankees. The Giants are just a much better team, but this is a pathetic showing from the Tigers. I'm throughly disappointed yet again as the Tigers fail miserably on the biggest stage as favorites. Just getting to the World Series isn't fun and acceptable anymore. They spend a lot of money and have a bunch of quality players in their primes. This is such a huge letdown.

Come on Tigers. Please score some runs soon.